Twain makes 'Idol' race too close to call

Suddenly it's too close to call.

For a season that's too often felt like "let's fill time until we crown Crystal Bowersox," Tuesday night served as a wake-up call.

Maybe it was the influence of amazing guest mentor Shania Twain, but all of "American Idol" contestants turned in strong performances.

That included Mount Prospect rocker Lee DeWyze, who made Twain's "You're Still the One" into a bluesy affair that sounded as if it had been written just for him.

"The sound of your voice makes it sound so relevant," judge Kara DioGuardi said. "Good job."

And although cranky judge Simon Cowell took DeWyze to task for making weird faces during the performance even he had to admit "I thought that was a perfect song choice for you."

In fact what may have been most notable about the night was favorite Bowersox took a few knocks from the judges.

No one warmed to Bowersox's cover of "No One Needs to Know," which she dedicated to her boyfriend.

"It's kind of impossible for you not to be good," DioGuardi told her. "Was it your best? No. But you're still amazing."

Casey James and Siobhan Magnus also rebounded with intense performances.

James returned to the stripped-down roots that served him so well when he covered "Jealous Guy" during Beatles week. His take on "Don't" received high marks.

"I think this was your best performance by far, " Cowell said.

Magnus channeled Shania Twain's spirit as she bounced around stage during "Any Man of Mine."

"You pulled the Shania Twain back into the station!" judge Ellen DeGeneres said.

The high standard set by Tuesday night's performances means we could be in for a shock elimination Wednesday night.

Anyone is vulnerable to land in the bottom three - including Bowersox.