Canadian Idol Update: Girls Fight Back

After last week's barrage of intensely harsh criticism from the judges, the girls attempted to claw their way back into the panel's favour. For the most part, they proved successful.

Annika Odegard was on the hot seat on Tuesday night and she knew it. She sang Vanessa Carlton's "Ordinary Day" while accompanying herself on piano. Until the band kicked in, things were sounding a little church recital for me. Odegard's concentration seemed divided between playing and singing. She badly flubbed her final note, leaving a lasting impression of "No." Luckily for Odegard, the judges disagreed with me.

"Like Rapunzel, you finally let down your hair," said Farley Flex. "That's the first time we've seen the real you."

Khalilah Glanville looked stunning in a slinky brown number. Her performance of Monica's "For You I Will" was equally stunning. She gave a sultry and mature performance, hitting some killer notes along the way. I got goose bumps, which are notoriously difficult to raise on jaded old music writers like me, so gold star for Glanville.

But Tuesday was apparently opposite day, as the judges disagreed with me again.

"There were a couple of moments that sounded a little off," said Jake Gold.

Carly Rae Jepsen cut a striking figure in her pirate wench dominatrix outfit. She delivered Bob Marley's "Waiting In Vain' with the syrupy loveliness that we've come to expect from Canada's sweetheart. The backing band was arranged in a semi-circle onstage with Jepsen, which she said was inspired by a James Taylor concert (insert the sound of thousands of 15-year-olds Googling here).

"I thought that was a lovely, vulnerable, adorable performance... there's something so magical about your presence," said Sass Jordan.

"You're fantastic... you're a star," added Zack Werner.

Rush fan Tara Oram sang "When God Fearin' Women Get The Blues" all take-charge-like. This girl is obviously enjoying her Idol experience very much. Straight-ahead country music isn't generally my favourite thing, but Oram is difficult to dislike. Even a huge off-note was cute because she sang it with such pizzazz.

"You've got great energy and a nice smile," said Werner. "I just find it average, and either average is good enough or it's not. I don't think so."

Gold likened Oram to Gretchen Wilson and Flex said that he wanted her to bring more energy. What? The woman is moving like a chipmunk on Red Bull up there.

"I'm jumping off the monitor next week," declared Oram.

Montana Martin Iles, bless her loopy francophone heart, took Flex's advice and tried to sing her very best this week. Unfortunately, she opted for "Ironic," which is my most hated of Alanis Morissette songs. "You Oughta Know" would have been great. "Never Too Hot" would have been freaking monumental. But I'll pass on "Ironic." While she hit a couple of lovely notes, she was too talky during most of the song and I yearned for her trademark screeching.

"I thought vocally it could have been a little better," said Gold. "As far as I'm concerned, you should be in the top 10 because you're a star."

"Anybody who doesn't think that somebody can sing with an accent can kiss my big blue Julio Iglesias," said Werner, temporarily channeling Paula Abdul.

Listen, Canada. I can't get behind Martha Joy. I'm sorry. For one thing, she selected a Celine Dion song without a trace of irony. For another, I keep thinking about how sad it was early in the competition when Joy's singing group excluded Martin Iles. It reminded me of my own high school traumas, like that time when Suzie Warner invited everyone except me to her stupid Valentine's Day boy-girl party and I cried and cried, and then Suzie called my house to say what a smashing time they were all having and how she just wanted to let me know that she had played Seven Minutes In Heaven with Jack Danner and had let him get to second base even though she knew I liked him. It was all very messy and upsetting, but I'm not going to burden you with my emotional baggage, as my therapist has advised me against it.

Granted, for a 16 year old, I guess Joy has a huge and impressive voice. Whatever.

"You totally shine with the big luscious ballads," said Jordan.

"The last half of that song?" began Gold. "Maybe one of the best things I've seen all year."

Mila Miller looked gorgeous in lavender and sprawled herself out on the piano, lounge singer-style, while singing Amy Winehouse's "Rehab." It was a savvy song choice in terms of popularity, but may not have been the best choice to showcase her wonderful, throaty pipes. Still, Miller was all facial expressions and cheekiness, giving the most entertaining performance of the evening.

"You are one of my favourite performers on the show," raved Jordan, while Flex declared that Miller "emanated soul."

Next: the top 10 are revealed.