It's not just the "American Idol" top 5 who are "in it to win it" -- it's the whole dang show, which gave us its best performance night in weeks, thanks to a talent pool that is finally rid of bearded pranksters and misguided dance moves (well, almost). Tonight's mentor: the lovely Sheryl Crow, who is a zillion times more chill than will.i.am. The theme: Now & Then, which asked the hopefuls to sing a current song and follow it with one from the '60s, giving them a chance to showcase their versatility.

Things were looking up all around, from the contestants' clearly upgraded style budgets to the judges feedback, which -- hallelujah! -- has been slightly more discriminating as we get down to the wire. Who rose to the challenge, and who couldn't hack it? Read on for my take, and then be sure to call me out if you don't agree (or show me love if you do -- I won't mind, I promise).


1) Haley Reinhart
Song: The Animals, "House of the Rising Sun"

Steven said: "Sweet and sour, raspy -- I can really relate to that. That really sells a song, and I think you sold everybody tonight.

Jennifer said: "That song has never been sang like that before. Great. Job."

Randy said: "The award tonight for the best performance of the night goes to Haley! You've grown by leaps and bounds on this show."

We say: It's been a long, winding road for me and Haley Reinhart. When she made it through to the top 13 back in March -- leaving other, at-the-time worthier female singers (remember Kendra Chantelle?) sulking offstage -- I was admittedly confused. No, scratch that. I was angry. Then she suddenly developed into this season's Most Improved contestant, but I still wasn't feeling her. The supposed, blues-rock authenticity, the minx attitude and the laid-on-extra thick vocal affect: none of it has ever resonated with me. I wish I could tell you that I've done a 180° since then, and that I'm all aboard Team Haley after tonight's performance -- admittedly, the brashest and most committed of the night. Unfortunately, my beloved Kelly Clarkson and I differ on this one a bit. Despite our complicated relationship, though, Haley gets my top ranking this week. She may not be the next "American Idol," but she's without a doubt fought harder than any of her fellow hopefuls to make it this far, and for that I have one word: respect.

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2) Lauren Alaina
Song: Carrie Underwood, "Flat on the Floor"

Steven said: "The way you found your niche is simply as good as it gets... I think you're it."

Jennifer said: "That's what we've been pushing for for you. You ate that up, and I saw you. You want it."

Randy said: "That is the direction for you...I love you showing this fun side, energetic side."

We say: In her first of two performances tonight, Lauren Alaina showed unprecedented swagger (for her) on a sassy, uptempo number by the "American Idol" alum she's so often compared to: Carrie Underwood. While Lauren has yet to meet those hefty expectations, this was the most genuine fun I've seen her have onstage yet. The more she goes for those far-reaching power notes that used to scare her away, the more endearing she becomes. Lauren also brought out J.Lo's stank face tonight, which is clearly the biggest accomplishment one can have this season. I fear that she may have found her groove just a little too late to make it to the final two -- and her second performance tonight wasn't nearly as potent -- but hey, there's still a couple of weeks left for Lauren to win over America, and anything can happen.  


3) Scotty McCreery
Song: Montgomery Gentry, "Gone"

Steven said: "Up to now you've been like a Puritan, you know? But I swear to God, I saw you dance with the devil tonight. And that's a good thing for you."

Jennifer said: "I lost it there for a second, I was so excited. You just owned that stage. I heard some growling in there, too? …That is some 'American Idol' stuff right there."

Randy said: "I felt like we were sitting at Concert Scotty. Who knew that you could rock the stage like that, dude? This guy's in it to win it, too!"

We say: Like Lauren, Scotty McCreery came out of the gate tonight with an irresistible uptempo number, and let loose appropriately. What's more, he did it in a seasoned-pro kind of way -- not in the goofy, look-how-gosh-darn-heartthrobby-I-am way of weeks past. Scotty hit all kinds of new, gutsy notes, and the best news of all? Someone has clearly given him mic-holding tips, because he no longer clutches it like he's playing a flute (as one Twitter follower so astutely observed). "Idol" mic coach -- whoever you are, America thanks you.

4) Jacob Lusk
Song: Nazareth, "Love Hurts"

Steven said: "What a delivery…everybody got lost in you because you got lost in the song."

Jennifer said: "The truth is, you bring out the tricks at the end. You really, really just brought it home."

Randy said: "You redeemed yourself on this one...I gotta say, I could be wrong, but that might've been the highest note ever sung on this stage."

We say: Jacob Lusk's high register is truly a sound to behold, and he knows it. So it was a pleasure to see him come back strong, after a really weak and misguided first performance, with this sweeping ballad. Although it wasn't a gospel number, this song suited his voice and his love of melodrama just fine. It probably didn't save him from elimination, of course, because of Haley's home-run performance and the loyalty that fans have shown the remaining three hopefuls, but it's a perfectly respectable way for Jacob to go out tomorrow if he does get the boot. Plus, hearing him shout "it hurts" over and over again will be pretty hilarious.

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5) Scott McCreery
Song: Elvis Presley, "You Are Always On My Mind"

Steven said: "America loves your voice, man, and you've just been taking us up and down the trail."

Jennifer said: "You show us what a well-rounded artist you are -- that you can do anything."

Randy said: "We call you our youngest veteran, if that makes any sense…sometimes when you speak quietly and you do the simplest things, they get the loudest reactions."

We say: For round two, Scotty and Lauren both dialed back from their uptempo first performances and gave us intimate, deeply romantic ballads whose meanings cannot possibly be absorbed by their 16 years on this planet. Scotty managed to eke out a slightly more honest performance than Lauren, though. He's acutely aware of both his audience and his strengths vs. his weaknesses, so when he does go for an emotionally mature number, I don't get the feeling that he's carrying a burden on his shoulders as I do with Lauren. While he's still got plenty of growing to do, his potential is obvious, and his female fans will see that he realizes it. Standing in their way is not a good idea.

Next: Lauren Unchains a Classic, Jacob Gets No Love for 'No Air'