Here’s a short recap for ya’ll.  Haley Reinhart was sent home tonight on Idol.  If you have been keeping up with this blog, I’m sure you are aware of how disappointed this has made me.

Haley started out the night singing a gutsy Led Zeppelin song and killed it.  She followed up with Stevie Nick’s track, Rhiannon, I thought it was brilliant.  Then came the judges pick.  The judges chose Alanis Morisette’s, “You Oughta Know.”  Hmmm… I don’t understand.  They wanted Haley to sing an emo/angst bad ass song?  Had Haley of chosen this for herself, the judges would be freaking out and tell her how wrong the song choice was.  The entire competition they were pushing her towards a jazz/blues sound, and that music worked for her.  I mean I just don’t get it.  I love Alanis, that album was one of the first that I bought & I have so much respect for the entire movement.  But for Haley, why did they choose such an angry song for her?  Regardless of tonights outcome Haley had one of her best nights performance wise, so she definitely went out with a bang.  I was hoping she would stick around and be able to pick up some of James Durbin’s votes to make it through to the finale.  Onwards and upwards Haley Reinhart, I couldn’t be more impressed with an American Idol contestant.  She truly was the best in my eyes.

But alas we have a finale with Lauren and Scotty.  They both had spectacular performances last night.  I think Scotty seemed more nervous than usual.  Possibly being in the bottom two last week rattled him.  I liked his decision to sing Lonestar.  As I watched him perform I wondered how many times he had sang along to that song casually back home in North Carolina.  Who doesn’t like that song anyway?  It was enjoyable.

I was disappointed with Laurens rendition of The Band Perry’s track, “If I Die Young.”  It’s one of my favorite songs right now and I think the appeal to that song is the beautiful harmonies.  The band is a group of siblings and in my opinion no one can sing together like family.  Lauren didn’t impress me much with it.  I encourage anyone who hasn’t heard that song to check it out, it’s phenomenal.

I have no idea who I want to win between Scotty and Lauren.  They are both extremely likable kids.  I think both would make great American Idols.  Scotty is definitely the front runner.  You never know what can happen though.  I’m just looking forward to the finale.  I’m ready to see Paul McDonald, Casey Abrams, and of course Haley Reinhart back on the stage.  Who are you rooting for?