Latin night, sans salsa

Down to the Top Ocho, we expected a spicier, saucier night of music and performances.

Instead, save for Phil and Blake, mostly what the Ocho gave us was day-old Taco Bell. Even Sanjaya's hair was bland.

Here's our breakdown of Tuesday's performances:

Melinda: Even though she admitted she wasn't sexy in the pre-performance clip with guest mentor Jennifer Lopez, we give her props for trying — and succeeding. She stepped out of her comfort zone in dress, but stayed safe with song choice (Sway)and vocal performance. We wanted to HEAR a different Melinda, but instead settled for SEEING a different Melinda.

Lakisha: In this case we wanted to SEE a little less Lakisha, but as usual, she was playing up the cleavage card. (Funny how Simon and Idolnation talk up Haley's legs, but few — if any — mention Lakisha's upper half.) Her rendition of Conga was more a lower-body — rather than vocal — workout.

Chris: Unlike Paula and Randy, we take issue with Chris's performance tonight. For once, pick the note and hit it, will ya?

Haley: Only her legs can save her now.

Phil: Local sailor Phil was the first — and maybe only one — to really put his voice to the test tonight. Sure it cracked at the end, but overall a solid performance that doesn't get the props it deserves from Randy, Paula and Simon. Again this week, Phil makes a play to get votes after Simon has the last say when Phil mentions his daughter.

Jordin: Top female performance (Gloria Estefan's Rhythm is Gonna Get You) tonight in a night filled with solid — but not outstanding — performances from the women.

Blake: Shake and Blake! Beat-boxing Blake gets the award for best audience sign of the night, if not the best overall performance (Marc Anthony's I Need to Know). Good vocals, good moves. We have to admit you're definitely growing on us.

Sanjaya: It didn't entirely suck. (And Simon agrees.)

One other note: Is it just us, or is Ryan Seacrest getting shorter every week?

Erin Patterson and Gary T. Mills/The Times-Union