Tonight, the last three were up for challenges from the judges, themselves and the producers. Did tonight’s performances turn tables or just build stronger foundations for crowd favorites?
[Note: Unlike the usual, this week's performances are arranged in the show's chronology. Rankings are stated in the last paragraph of each round.]
Round One: The Judges’ choice
David Archuleta – And So It Goes (Billy Joel)
A good choice by Paula and a good opener from David. His sweet-sounding vocals, unfortunately predictable take on the song in disregard, reminds us of why we rooted for him in the first place
Syesha Mercado – If I Ain’t Got You (Alicia Keys)
Syesha as per Randy’s choice tackled Alicia’s most beloved and sang it just a few notches above the amateur singer but never really measured up to the original. I personally think it’s not a good choice for her but the fans, if ever she has won a solid many, are probably happy.
David Cook – First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
I side with Simon for choosing “something different” for David. This performance brings to mind Clive Davis choosing “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” for Bo Bice. David proved he can do justice to a song even when he loosen up. The ultimate note of glory absolutely won me over.
Idol classic moment: Simon chooses the song for David because his girlfriend says he embodies it and disses Randy’s choice. Randy bellows “I love him” at David and gets back at Simon by saying he loves rocker David more. Now, is Randy snapping at Simon by way of overcoming his jealousy over David or what?
Round 1 goes to Cook for giving “something different” the same stellar performance he gives each week, with Archudiva trailing behind for a predictable take on a song and Syesha in the dead last, victim of being pitted to sing an awesome song that also happens to be the worst choice.
Round Two: Contestant’s choice
David Archuleta – With You (Chris Brown)
We should have seen this coming after Sean Kingston’s “Beautiful Girls” made a surprising and unwelcome apparition last week. In David’s dire attempt to bring forth his “young” side, he tries to channel his inner Chris Brown and tackles on a popular R&B song. He doesn’t have enough blues to bring justice to it, his phrasing didn’t go well with the rhythm, and the dancing which was just moving his hips left and right looked ridiculous. But then those were probably enough to please his fans, the young squealing girls of America who’ll take anything and everything from him.
Syesha Mercado – Fever (Peggy Lee)
Syesha’s theatrics make a comeback this week basically in the form of a chair. Now, come on, if this is what she thinks will save her this week—which everyone thinks is impossible anyway—then let’s cut her some slack. so we focus on her singing but can’t help but remember how the great Paris Bennett from two seasons ago sang the bejesus out of this song and again, Syesha’s sexy take can’t measure up to that. Poor girl.
David Cook – Dare You to Move (Switchfoot)
Cook is no Jon Foreman. The beginning was sappy but as the song builds up and David makes the whole thing his own, the effort pays off and comes out as the winner of a mediocre second round.
Cook gets away with the second round for sheer awesomeness of the song choice. Archuleta comes second with points for boldness and Syesha is on the last spot yet again for being insufferably boring (Sorry girl, you get the coveted Cannon Fodder of the Season Award anyway).
Round Three: The Producers’ choice
David Archuleta – Longer (Dan Fogelberg)
This is a weird song choice from the producers for David as it is kind of lackluster and doesn’t do David any favor. On the positive side, at least the vocals on this one make us forget the horrible second performance (but there, I just reminded you). As expected, he sang it very well and definitely earned him a spot in the finale.
Syesha Mercado – Hit Me Up (Gia Farrell)
Finally a song that showcased the different textures of Syesha’s vocals. The lyrics “maybe I should turn it up a little bit more” couldn’t be more fitting. This is the Syesha I loved. It’s too late for her though ‘cos this might also be the most forgettable performance for voters. Thank God for chairs and Alicia Keys.
David Cook – I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith)
In the smartest arrangement I’ve ever heard of this hackneyed piece, David blows us away with serious ferocity. This is arguably the night’s best. If there’s anything predictable here, and I’m looking at you Randy, it is that David is gonna be singing his ass off at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live next week.
Cook obviously wins it, for me, in round three. Syesha takes second place with one of my favorite performances of her—which, unfortunately, is her last. Archulator loses on my book but definitely wins the “hearts all over the world tonight”.
Hands down to David Cook for winning the night all out. David Archuleta should be more pressured, eh? Or not. I guess the teenage girls demographic is a force to be reckoned with. As for Syesha, I have only two words: Bye bye.
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