Here’s what’s nice about the early part of an “American Idol” season.
You know who’s good, and you know who’s not so good. But every once in a while, the guys in the middle surprise you.
That’s what happened for me tonight with David Cook. Thus far, I haven’t been a big fan. I’m confused by that forward comby thing he does with his hair, and the dude’s been a bit of a dud. But his (as Randy so aptly put it) emo rendition of Lionel Richie’s “Hello” was about the most awesome, most original cover of a song I’ve seen on this show since the days of Blake Lewis. And David didn’t even have to employ beat boxing to wow us! He had me from “Hello,” or at least from that first hard rocking guitar riff. That’s a song I might actually download from iTunes.
But his wasn’t the only standout performance of he night. I continue to be impressed by Jason Castro — though I’m still a little mystified by his interview awkwardness. How can a guy who seems so OFF and emotionally disconnected when talking on camera come across as so sincere and right on when he’s singing on camera? I’m ashamed to admit I wasn’t familiar with the song “Hallelujah,” so I had nothing to compare it to. But to me, Jason hit every single note perfectly, both musically and emotionally. Hate the dreads. Love the guy.
I also liked Michael Johns’ salute to “The Breakfast Club” with Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me,” though it stabbed my heart to hear him insist that his OLDER SISTER had forced him to watch that movie. Surely I’m not old enough to be that manly man’s older sister. Am I? AM I?? That’s no way to win my vote, Mikey. At any rate, his performance was a bit odd at points, but in the end, he hit some impressive high notes and hopped around the stage with just the right degree of rock star conviction. I’m sorry, ladies, but I’d watch him sing the phone book. Five nights a week.
Please don’t hate me, because I sure do hate myself for what I’m about to say, but I actually thought Danny Noriega’s rendition of “Tainted Love” was vaguely rocking. Danny Boy perplexes me because as much as I can’t hardly stand to watch at him sing, I also can’t tear my eyes away. He’s so bizarre and awful that I think he might actually be good. Does that make sense? NO? Well neither does Danny. TMTH!
As for last week’s favorite, David Archuleta… I dunno. He was good enough, even if he did need to potty. But his performance of “Another Day In Paradise” was sort of ho-hum and forgettable. He’s not going anywhere, but I wasn’t wowed.
That leaves paper-thin voiced Luke Menard and sweet but too safe Chikezie as the odd men out. Luke’s performance of “Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” was just not good, and although Chikezie was decent on “He (She) Fills Me Up,” he just wasn’t as good as his competitors.
Oh, I’m sorry. What’s that you say? I missed someone? David Hernandez? Oh, you mean the male stripper? I’m sorry. It’s too soon. It’s going to be weeks before my brain will be able to stop applying the lyrics of every song he sings to the daily travails of a male lap dancing. Don’t get me started on “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now.”
So what do you think. Could you concentrate on David Hernandezes’ performance? Will the girls even come close to delivering so many quality performances? Is it even possible for Paula Abdul to utter a complete sentence? And which of the guys will go?