IDOL WATCH: The Top 7 Tackle Songs from 'Now & Then!'

American Idol kicks things off this week with an overly dramatic movie-esque recap of last week's events. For those of you who are suffering from Idol amnesia: Jessica Sanchez got the judges' save. Tonight will be Now and Then, meaning that the contestants will sing a number one hit from the past 12 years and then what Ryan describes as "a soul song from back in the day."

First, though, Ryan gives a sincere speech about television mainstay Dick Clark, who passed away today at 82 years old. "He'd be saying 'Let's get on with the show,'" Ryan quips, and that they do, with Hollie taking on Adele's "Rolling in the Deep." My usual complaint with contestants singing Adele is that they usually don't have a big enough voice to really fill out the song, but for someone so small Hollie does surprisingly well with it. "You did it, I'm so happy for you!" J-Lo says.

Colton, dressed like Dracula during his hipster phase, takes on Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." I like the song, but I really dislike the arrangement. Like, really dislike it. There's doing something unique, and then there's choosing to turn every song into something that would always be categorized in the same subgenre. He sounds good, I suppose, and the judges shower him with praise, so maybe it's just me.

"I don't think she has a fanbase in this thing, I don't know what it is," Jimmy says of Elise, who'll be taking on Alicia Keys' "No One." I do, Jimmy: she comes across as cocky rather than confident, conducts an invisible orchestra while she sings and never fails to look like she's got something sour under her nose when she gets a critique she doesn't like. Still, she sings the song very well - there's no denying that she can sing. "You stayed on the melody...it was a good lesson in restraint. It was great," Randy says.

Phillip Phillips chooses Usher's "U Got it Bad." Of course, he does what he always has, every week - a mellow arrangement with the guitar and a few other Idol band members - but it's one of the few times this season that it feels like a unique take and it's enjoyable to listen to.

The Idol designers have gone ahead and again designed a set that has no discernible reason for existing for Jessica's performance of Alicia Keys' "Fallin'" - it's pretty much a bunch of umbrellas hanging from the ceiling while umbrellas fall on the screen. Jessica herself, to the point of being a bit boring, sounds great especially given her age. Steven warbles something about Jessica losing her voice in the song and going to find it...or something. I think it's intended as a compliment. "Your talent is so otherworldly for me," Randy says.

Skylar chooses Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" (the country edition, of course). All things considered - including the creepiest fiddle player in the world slinking along two inches behind Skylar the entire performance - it's a good showing and the judges go wild right along with the crowd.

Joshua is inspired by a past Idol, choosing Fantasia's "I Believe." It's the song that both Fantasia and Diana DeGarmo had to sing at the end of their season (the third? fourth?) and Joshua nails this one as though it were was written for him. "There's just nothing to say anymore," Steven says (again, intended as a compliment).

After a video tribute to Soul Train, we return to Hollie with "Son of a Preacher Man." It's a little bit rough around The Edges, but she goes all-out for the last few notes which is, on Idol at least, a sort of redemption. "You've got the vehicle," Steven says, and Randy adds: "Drive your car!"

Colton sort of misses the point of "soul classics." He dissects Earth Wind and Fire's "September" to the point where it's practically unrecognizable and seems that it's more about the arrangement than his actual performance. "You sound good, but it's not as exciting as we would have liked." Randy tells him.

Elise chooses "Let's Get it On" by Marvin Gaye. Although she has one or two exceptional notes in there, the song on the whole sounds a little bit off somehow. "It's always so hard to critique you for me," Jennifer says. "The connection's not being made...you need to work on just showing your heart." "I've never heard that before," Elise says somewhat testily, and I can't tell if she's genuinely never been criticized or is just trying too hard to seem interested.

Phil Phillips tackles "In the Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett. He's guitar-less, which seems to make him a little uncomfortable but he does his thing, and it really fits the theme as one of the more soulful performances this side of tonight. For once, Steven says something that actually makes sense: "Brilliantly awkward!"

"Try a Little Tenderness" is Jessica's pick. I do like Jessica, but this totally sounds like a lot of screaming. She definitely could have made a better choice, and the judges aren't thrilled. "It's about transference of an emotion," Randy tells her. "Everything you sing is going to be great but it's about growing with that emotion. Nice one, though."

Skylar Laine is back with the same fiddle player still stalking her, and sings "Heard it Through the Grapevine." She brings a ton of personality to her performances, which is probably the most important thing with tonight, and also sings it well. Randy calls her style a "rock n' roll country party," which I think is pretty accurate.

Joshua chooses Sam Cooke's "Change is Gonna Come." He breaks down at the end (again) but for the most part it's a strong performance. "Please don't send this boy home!" J-Lo begs, prompting Joshua to make a comment about her abs showing in her dress - but he tries to get his comment in there, like, three times before Ryan lets him talk, which just makes the whole thing way awkward.

How did your favorites stack up in tonight's double feature show? Tune in tomorrow to find out who's headed home plus a performance from one of the past Idols, Kris Allen!

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