From the Boston Herald

American Idol Season 5: Encores
RCA | Critic: C

Randy, Paula and Simon are always harping about the importance of song selection - too bad they didn’t help produce this season’s ‘‘Idol” CD.

‘‘Encores” features the top 12 finalists belting out their better, but not best, performances. And for some of the contestants, let’s just say they should play the lottery, because it was sheer luck they made it as far as they did (this means you, Ace, Bucky and Kellie).

Strong performances include early eliminee Mandisa’s ‘‘I’m Every Woman” (confirming that voters sometimes make mistakes). Chris Daughtry proves his self-esteem is warranted when he nails Bon Jovi’s ‘‘Wanted Dead or Alive.”

Finalist Taylor Hicks’ rendition of ‘‘Takin’ It to the Streets” yields no surprises. His competition in tonight’s showdown, Katharine McPhee, makes us think she should head straight to Broadway with her version of ‘‘Think.”

You can practically hear the studio control panel working overtime on each song, with one exception:

Elliott Yamin’s ‘‘Moody’s Mood for Love.” His offering is both a standout and shame - a standout because it’s a near-perfect cover of the Donny Hathaway song; a shame he’s not the next American Idol.

And then there’s Chicken Little (also known as Kevin Covais). So adorable, yet so unbelievable that he made it as far as he did. His version of ‘‘When I Fall in Love” is what

Simon might refer to as a disaster, but grannies everywhere will swoon.

‘‘American Idol” is a show in which contestants strive to make songs their own. Here, alas, everyone but Yamin fails to meet that task.

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Wow, this person knows what they're talking about!

Love it .. thanks for posting this! I've read great reviews by the Boston Herald on Elliott before. Their correspondent must be an E-fan!

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Although I agree to everything he said about Elliott, I think some of the others he trashed deserve some credit too. I didn't think Bucky was that bad and although I didn't like any of Ace's performances his recording is not bad at all, the same goes for Mellissa. I think Kat and Lisa are Broadway worthy, but Lisa is the one with the better voice.

I loved that review...He defenetly got it....Elliott sounded Great on it.. I always have to replay that one like 5 times...
Although some of the songs weren't all that great.. I kind of liked Bucky, Melissa and Mandisa...they sounded good..JMO

Is this real, or am I dreaming? This guy writes with ingenuity! (okay, that's my big word for today...LOL! :rotfl: ) :yes: He was ON POINT! :cheerleader:

This person is right on point. Bless people with great taste in music.