Singer: Todrick Hall
Song: "Since You've Been Gone"
Monkeys As Critics' Take: The judges love gender-bending performances, so expect enthusiasm for this version of the Kelly Clarkson hit. Who does this arrangement come from? It's pretty funky. It's not a great showcase for Todrick's voice, but it allows him to display some impressive stage work. He's a performer and that's instantly evidence. Finally, there's very little evidence of singing her, but it's entertaining and never boring. I like never-boring, because I'm gonna bet we get a lot of boring later on. [Note: Todrick says this arrangement was all him. He also said he'd give small children roles in his traveling musical. The first impresses me a little. The second? Not so much.]
Ellen, Randy, Kara and Simon Say: Ellen didn't love the chorus, but she thought it was well performed, that he took a chance. Randy's a fan of Todrick, thinks he's "mad talented." Randy's annoyed that he didn't recognize the song. Yes, this is the same judge who complained about sound-alike covers. Mmm... Glad to get the judging hypocrisy going early tonight. Kara also thinks he changed the arrangement too much. This from a judge who loved Adam Lambert last year? Hmmm... Simon calls it "a crazy arrangement," one that completely murders the original song and "verging on stupid." Don't get me wrong. Todrick wasn't necessarily good enough as a singer to pull off what he attempted, but boy would I like to see more people attempt things.