We're down to just eight ladies, so it was blessedly only an hour tonight. When the show opened, Ellen was nuzzling Simon with her nose, Ryan was sitting in Ellen's chair, and I thought Kara was Alanis Morissette for a second. Very strange.

Katie Stevens was up first, butchering Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway." The song was too low for her - do these girls actually listen to themselves sing before going on stage - and the first chunk of the song was uniformally flat. Once she got to the chorus it was fine, but total karaoke; she added absolutely nothing new to the song. And in fact, when she hit the high notes it was shrill. Randy said that Katie paled in comparison to Kelly, and he used the k-word (karaoke). Ellen liked that she did a younger song (one that's still five years old or so), but felt that Katie didn't connect with the lyrics whatsoever, and that she didn't have any personality. Kara explained that this year they have contestants who really know themselves, and those who don't, and Katie doesn't - she's stumbling week after week. Simon said that Katie sucked the energy out of the song and made it gloomy (true), but gave her a "10 out of 10 for trying." Um, Simon, what is wrong with you? Since when is an "A for effort" good enough on this show? Boo.

Siobhan Magnus picked "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals, which is a bizarre song choice, but made a little more understandable when considered it's one of her dad's favorite songs. OK, but doesn't really help us get who you are, dear. However, it's one of those big ol' songs that she excels at. She started it out totally a cappella and sounded fab. She's got a great, piercing voice. She took a slow song, but made sure to keep it very exciting. She didn't a miss a step when singing in her upper register, and it was a captivating performance. I still don't fully understand her, but I love her. Randy loved it, and her, for all of her risk-taking. Ellen said that Siobhan is why Ellen loves music; she moves her (and indeed Ellen looked ready to cry). Kara loved the a cappella choice, and again applauded Siobhan for being unique and different. Simon didn't love it; he found it a bit weird. He said she didn't have the "moment" she had last week. Well, no, but you're not going to get that every week, ever. I don't understand how he could pimp Katie so much, and then come down so hard on Siobhan. He took her to task for not doing anything to the song - neither did Katie. Never mentioned.

Lacey Brown picked Brandi Carlisle's "The Story," a minor hit, but a good choice for Lacey's voice. She sounded absolutely terrific in the high notes with the intentional warble. But again, she didn't do boo to the song. Still, it was the best she's song in the competition, very assured and controlled, and she had me up to the last note, which was a throwaway. Randy thought it was "very cool." Pearls of wisdom from that man. Pearls. Kara said that it was performances like this that got her here, and that she was "back on her path." Simon loved the way she sang it, and that it was like listening to someone on the radio. But he did fear that it could be forgotten. I would agree with that; Lacey is a good singer, but she has zero star power. But I will say that I thought she had zero shot at the Top 12 when semis started, but she might just squeak in based on that performance.

Katelyn Epperley did Carole King's "I Feel the Earth Move," and again took to the piano. It was not a good song choice. It was terribly cabaret. She sang it well, and I really like this girl, but she didn't do anything and I got the cheesy comment Simon made last week. And she was wearing a jumper. Yikes. I just thought the entire thing was a giant missed opportunity after she wowed me last week. Randy didn't feel that the song connected with Katelyn at all, and that there wasn't anything special. Ellen said exactly what I did - that was not the song that's going to make people pick up the phone. Kara didn't feel like she was competing, like Katelyn was just going through the motions. Yup. Katelyn said she was trying to be less corny, and instead she became MORE corny. Oy. Simon liked her hair, but underlined that she just threw all of her momentum away.

Didi Benami was back to her guitar for Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon." Didi should always play her guitar. Seriously. It was her most assured, focused performance in weeks. A little dull - the song was way stripped down and slowed to a crawl - but the vocal was clear and bright, and she was connected to everything she was saying. Randy thought it was a whole lot better than last week, but didn't think it provided a "wow" moment. Kara said it was one of her favorite moments of the show so far this season, and she was dreading it when she initially heard the song choice. Simon said it was leagues above anything else we'd seen thus far, and Simon thought the whole performance was a "wow" moment. Yeah, I'm really glad. I like this girl and have been frustrated by how badly she's sucked in semis. She's the female version of Andrew Garcia.

Paige Miles picked "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin. I love that song, but what is with the dated fucking songs tonight? The performance was DREADFUL. She was so flat - was she was on the wrong key? She was obviously playing with dynamics, starting out very reserved and quiet. She built and built, but holy cats, I really think she was in the wrong key throughout the ENTIRE SONG. Like, disastrously off. She was connecting with the song, but the singing was atrocious. Randy said it was too big for her, that the arrangement was all over the place, and that it didn't work at all. Ellen pointed out that the song is supposed to be uplifting, and this was sad and uplifting. Kara simply said "it was all wrong." Yeah! Simon basically told her she blew it. Paige babbled on about how it was an emotional song that she was very connected to - because Michael Jackson recorded it, and she loved Michael - but why choose it for the last week of semis, when you know you struggle singing it? Egads. Paige has been wildly popular thus far, and I have never understood why. I'm hopeful this will be the end of the road for her.

Crystal Bowersox chose Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason." It started quiet but intense and then built to a great, bluesy barrage. It just kept getting better and better. She didn't do much to the song until she tweaked the ending a bit, but it still sounded fresh and vibrant. She's just great. Randy loved it all, including her "honesty." Ellen said she needs new adjectives for Crystal, and called it best performance of the night. Yep. Kara said that she was excited, because she can see the record Crystal would make. Simon said she was "1 million, billion percent" a lock for Top 12, and the one everyone has to beat. I tentatively agree with that, but I'm curious to see how she fairs once she has to deal with theme weeks and mid-competition fatigue. I can see Crystal plateauing around Top 9 or so. We'll see.

Lilly Scott closed it out with "I Fall to Pieces" by Patsy Cline. It was again too low in the beginning - why do all of these contestants choose these songs that aren't in their range? Lilly sounded lovely for the rest of the song, and her voice is surprisingly big. There were times where she very nearly flew off the pitch, but she just clung to it. Good on her. The knitted potholders she had hanging off her ears were...bizarre. Randy loved it, Ellen loved her originality, Kara said she made Patsy seem current, and Simon thought she was brave, but that it didn't have the "wow factor." He was on repeat tonight.

Predictions: Katie should go but sadly probably won't; Lacey could have somehow scored a Top 12 berth against all odds; Katelyn might have totally screwed herself with that cheesetastic performance; Didi pulled out of her nosedive; Paige was abysmal and SHOULD go home, but probably won't; Crystal was awesome; Lilly is potential in danger, I think.