So it has finally come down to the ultimate and seemingly inevitable Davids face-off. Both have been exceptionally good throughout the season and it all boils down to who puts up a better fight in this most important night.
Round One: Clive Davis’ Choice
David Cook – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Cook sang this really well and with excitement-inducing impeccability. This is my favorite of his for the night. The long echoing note at the end is the most earth-shattering, mind-blowing I’ve heard all season.
David Archuleta – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me
Archuleta went all out with Clive’s favorite Idol song. He came out with unbelievable stage presence and gritty determination. This is truly the most revelatory performance of the season; a sign that Archulator is not about to let go of the competition and is definitely up for a fight. I am stunned with awe.
Round 1 goes to Archuleta for coming out with resonating confidence which burned down the cool atmosphere that Cook initially set up.
Round Two: Contestant’s Choice (New Song)
David Cook – Dream Big
Cook went the inspirational route in this round, choosing an uptempo number with encouraging lyrics. Again, Cook sang this like as a pro and this is the kind of song I’m sure he’ll be recording.
David Archuleta – In This Moment
Archuleta took the egotistical route and sang “Simon’s favorite song” with “self-centered” lyrics. His usual melismatic take was almost absent and what resulted was something pure-sounding, simple and beautiful.
Round 2 goes to Archuleta for an arguably better and more competitive song choice which, fortunately, was not given his usual overwrought treatment. Meanwhile, Cook is merely “having fun playing with 7,000 people”.
Round Three: Contestant’s Choice (Any Song)
David Cook – The World I Know
Cook went mellow with his last song. The performance was soothing and awesome, laced with Cook’s gyrating vocals. I loved the high falsetto at the ending.
David Archuleta – Imagine
Archulator sang the Archuleta anthem which we won’t ever grow tired of (even if we think we will) hearing him sing. For a finisher, it wasn’t that ground-breaking power ballad like in seasons past but oddly, it had the same awe-inducing effect.
For the night’s third and last round, Archuleta definitely assumed the upperhand with a stronger song choice that will be more memorable for voters.
Verdict
Cook gave us a tiny little concert tonight. Every performance was in its own right executed in an almost flawless fashion and defines Cook’s ability and identity as an artist. All three songs make up for what seem like a teaser for his debut album.
Archuleta gave us the impression that he’s so in it to win it. It was an all-out display of the young guy’s competitive and unwavering spirit. The Archulator was officially fierce; he was incredible; he blew me away.
Tonight was more of a concert for Cook, but isn’t American Idol more a competition than anything else? I was expecting an all-out bout from the two. And it so seemed that it was only Archuleta who lived up to that expectation. Cook has been consistently stellar all season, tonight definitely not an exclusion. But Archuleta peaked in the most important night of the competition and I can only guarantee that he swayed a lot of middle-voters to his side.
Bold Prediction
Alas, I finally surmise, David Archuleta emerges as the seventh American Idol.
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