The Top Seven Face Off on 'American Idol'

Lil Rounds kicked things off and brought the crowd to its feet, singing Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman." Judge Randy Jackson gave Lil the familiar feedback she's gotten in recent weeks, saying: "Well, you definitely got the party started … it still didn't show us what kind of artist [you are] or what you can really do in this part of the competition." Kara DioGuardi agreed, saying, "Lil, I think all of America, including me, was waiting for you to sing [Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman]." But then, Kara added: "I'm not sure it was worth the wait." Paula Abdul defended Lil, pointing out the singer was experiencing vocal difficulties on Monday: "I applaud you for that...I still think it was a remarkable recovery." Simon Cowell was less than complimentary, saying, "I'm glad you had fun because I think this is the last week we're going to see you."

Next up, Kris Allen performed an acoustic rendition of Donna Summer's "She Works Hard for the Money," an unlikely song choice for the 23-year-old. Kara commended Kris for taking a risk, saying, "You took a real risk with that arrangement, and let me tell you, it paid off big time… It actually sounded like it could go on your record." Paula was impressed with the bold song choice and originality, likening it to a man shopping in the women's section: "You shopped and found a perfect fit." Simon agreed, saying the performance "was a complete polar opposite to the first one. It was original, it was thought out -- that was not karaoke." Randy concurred, adding, "Dude, you know who you are… you are ready for the big time."

Then, Danny Gokey took the stage to perform "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire. Randy was impressed, saying, "You turned this into something that really worked for you tonight." Kara agreed, adding, "I was kind of worried about you on disco night, sort of like asking Simon to wear a plaid shirt….you are an incredible vocalist." Paula agreed, saying, "You didn't change the arrangement, but instead you chose vocally to show your agility and your brilliance. As a woman, I think you have one of the sexiest voices ever." Simon was impressed with the vocals, but said, "As a performance though, I didn't get any kind of star power."

Allison Iraheta sizzled with her performance of Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff." Randy said, "For me, personally, I didn't love the arrangement -- but let me just say this, you're one of the best singers in this competition…I didn't love the arrangement, but I love you." Kara said, "You're one of the best singers. From the singing perspective, that was a 9/10." Paula complimented Allison's vocals, saying, "With that last note, you hit it off the charts." Simon credited Allison for coming in as the underdog in the disco round, but said, "That was a brilliant performance."

Then, Adam Lambert wowed the judges with his rendition of "If I Can't Have You" from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Randy enthused: "Dude, let me tell you something -- you already, right now, have it majorly going on. He is the hot one tonight America." Kara called the performance "inspiring," adding, "Adam, you're brilliant. I don't know what else to say …this was the most memorable performance." Paula agreed and said, "Tonight you chose to pick a disco song and not make it cliché and up tempo. I felt your pain, I felt your vulnerability." Simon added, "What I loved about this performance was it was original …and even more important, the vocals were immaculate. Congratulations."

After staying alive in the competition last week after the judges chose to save him, Matt Giraud performed "Staying Alive." Randy did not love the song choice or the arrangement, but said, "You can really sing dude." Kara said Matt's take on the song wasn't original, but it was "solid." Paula likened his performance to bowling, and complimented the performance by calling it a "strike." Simon didn't like Matt's vocals or originality, saying, "Matt. I'm sorry to put a damper on this, but I actually didn't like that performance."

Anoop Desai finished off the Top Seven's disco performances, doing a rendition of Donna Summer's "Dim All The Lights." Randy criticized Anoop's final note, but overall complimented him, saying "You can sing." Kara said, "I thought it was a great song choice…for me, it sounded like it could actually be on the radio." Paula complimented him: "I gotta tell you, you look fantastic. Real men know how to wear pink. And no one can deny how beautiful your vocals are...." Simon disagreed, saying, "That was mediocre at best. Sorry. I prayed that the tempo wasn't going to come in. It was a horrible version of that song. Genuinely, that was your worst performance by a mile."

This week's double elimination results will air Wednesday night at 9 p.m. on FOX.

Published 4/22/09 by