Top 11 Performances: Phil Stacey

As faithful "Idol Thoughts" readers know, I haven't quite connected with Phil this season. I admire his higher register, and he seems like a nice enough guy, but he just hasn't done it for me so far.

Phil is slowly, ever-so slowly, edging closer to becoming the full package. He definitely improved his song choice this week, ditching the sappy ballads in favor of a more upbeat tune. But while "Thunder Road" is the perfect song for Phil in theory, in reality it was, as Simon said, inauthentic. It was awkward. And despite a few notes here and there, he wasn't as vocally impressive as he was last week.

Two steps forward, one step back. What can ya do?

GRADE: C+


1. Melinda Doolittle
2. Jordin Sparks
3. Blake Lewis
4. LaKisha Jones
5. Chris Sligh
6. Chris Richardson
7. Haley Scarnato
8. Phil Stacey
9. Gina Glocksen
10. Stephanie Edwards
11. Sanjaya Malakar