Hallelujah. Idol finally gets good.

American Idol's on during the night time rush in our house, when I am working all the mama magic I can muster to get the boy bathed, pajamaed, brushed, booked and cuddled and in bed.

Now that Lil E's had a taste of this season's Idol contestants, though, it is good to take a pause, settle into the couch for a few minutes and watch some of the performances while we all wind down.

Last week, we turned on the TV just in time to see Amanda hit the stage in full streaked hair, tight pant glory, belting out some forgettable song or another and Lil E gasped.

"SHE'S BEAUTIFUL!" he yelled out. "I mean, I like her pants!"

Despite my initial shock, it reminded me of his wistful admiration for Gina last season. Apparently, a nice little fascination with wannabe grrrl rockers with bootays, piercings and multi-home-colored hair is developing while Lil E practices singing Row Row Row Your Boat over and over in the living room corner for his own much-anticipated AI audition. That's cool...I guess.

This week, we watched the guys perform and it was my turn to be a little entranced. I'll be honest, they had me at "80s Hits." I loved David Cook hard-rocking the Lionel Richie and even wee David Archuleta's light rock but belted-out Celiney version of Another Day in Paradise.

For me, though, Jason Castro took the night with his soulful version of Hallelujah. Other than tight ribbed t-shirts, I would have never guessed Simon and I have a commonality in loving this song and this performance. Jeff Buckley's rendition of Hallelujah is at the top of my playlist faves as well and without getting all Paula in my praise, I will say that I thought this was a really good one for Jason.

Crank it up for your own mid-day crooning in your cube or at the kitchen table.