EON

New York -  The theme was Billboard hot 100 hits. Three more contestants would be chosen to move on to the top 12. The mantra of the night was wrong song selection.

Jasmine Murray, Matt Giraud and Jeanine Vailes, the first three contestants, did not impress anyone with their song selections. The back up singers did not help.

Quirky performer Nick Mitchell, aka Norman Gentle, sparkled the audience with his attire, but not with “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” from Dreamgirls.

Tearing up the crowd was 16-year old Allison Irheta belting out Heart’s “Alone.” The judges, even Simon, were electrified by her no-holes-barred singing and amazed at the teen’s mature singing style.

Kris Allen‘s vocals added no dimension, but Simon admired his poise. The judges thought Megan Corkrey voice’s was cool and jazzy, but appeared to be more impressed by her good looks.

From the beauty of Utah to the welder from Oklahoma , Matt Breitzke sang something (what was the name of that song, again?) and Jesse Langseth, did not stretch her range with “Bette Davis Eyes. Digging up an oldie, Kai Kalama safely performed “What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.”

Mishavonna Henson’s technical aptitude was applauded but her boring stage persona left the judges unimpressed.

Finally, Adam Lambert, Hollywood’s own, aced it with The Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction.“ He added his own twist to the song and had the judges swinging. His energetic interpretation was the most lauded performance of the night.