Top 3 - Ultimate Manipulation Edition

Let’s just get something straight right out front: It is beyond obvious that the American Idol producers want Adam is the finals. Whether they care if he wins or not is debatable, but the outright favored-nation treatment that he is receiving is incredible (Simon picks his song, he gets the last slot – second week in a row, mind you – so that he is freshest performance is voters’ minds, etc.). Don’t get me wrong, he is a phenomenon that has taken over the show and is probably deserving of recognition (if just for curiosity’s sake alone), but the extra assistance seems unfair. However, who said life, much less Hollywood and the music industry, is fair? Okay, moving on.

3. Kris Allen, Randy and Kara’s Choice: “Apologize” by OneRepublic – The show’s producers clearly don’t care about Kris. By handing his judges’ choice over to Randy and Kara (more evidence that it is stupid to have BOTH of them), he, in my opinion, was handicapped. It is no surprise that they would pick a very recent, too popular song that could easily be compared to the original artist by the youths (that is usually a bad situation – see Matt Giraud doing The Fray a few weeks ago). And, then in this crucial moment, Kris could not find the courage to change the song’s arrangement, probably BECAUSE the judges picked it. Then, Kara crushes him for not doing it. Bad situation. But, at least some good will come out of this: Kara’s overly-defensive challenge to Simon’s criticism of the song choice virtually assures us that we will not see her next season. She might not make to next week. Anyways, back to Kris: it was good to see him at the piano, showing the he is a multi-talented musician. But, he definitely sounded soft and shaky because he clearly did not want to sing this song. He is in trouble.

Kris’s Choice: “Heartless” by Kanye West – Kanye? Really? I was on the verge of taking everything back I said yesterday about Kris picking good songs for himself, but, with the way he Mraz-ed it up, it ended up working for me for the most part. It was tough for me, however, seeing him connect with the words and meaning of the lyrics to this song when we know his cute wife is surely staring adoringly in his face as he sings it. Plus, his voice was pleasant enough, but does “pleasant” fit with “Heartless”? Let’s see if his strong fan base shoves it in the judges’/producers’ faces and carries him to next week.

2. Daniel Gokey, Paula’s Choice: “Dance, Little Sister” by Terence Trent D’Arby (TTD) – I don’t think I ask for much. But, yesterday, I asked for Daniel to get a song in which he wouldn’t yell at me. Strike one, I guess. To be honest, TTD’s original is not screamed and is soulful, but Dan is Dan. Some probably really like his energy. Some, like me, think this style for him is very one-note and trite. It was not a bad song choice though. I have been frankly tired of the almost exclusive run of ballads that past few weeks. Finally, an up-tempo song that had the crowd pumped up (even though he had trouble keeping up with the words of the song). Daniel looked in good shape after this performance.

Daniel’s Choice: “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker – My other request from yesterday: try not singing a “remember my wife” ballad. Strike two. Oh well. Despite my request(s) being denied, I have to say that this is most impressed I have been with him yet. I thought that arrangement of such a familiar song was fantastic. The choir-like middle of the song was especially gripping for me. And, this is a song was where his earnest performing-style works. I could have done without the obligatory American Idol “big note” at the end, but he had already done well enough that it didn’t matter to me. He’s done what he had to do to fulfill Paula’s prediction and the producer’s season-long desire for him to be in the finale. And, he has done it his way throughout (despite my protest).

1. Adam Lambert, Simon’s Choice: “One” by U2 – Wow, what a song choice. Very challenging to take on one of the best songs ever, but Simon also gave him a shot to do greatness (are you listening, Randy and Kara?). Plus, it probably doesn’t hurt Adam that supposedly Bono himself personally approved him singing it on the show (once again, unfair pimping). I cannot do a sufficient review on this performance without Mrs. RAD, because this very well could be her favorite song of all-time from her favorite band of all-time. Unfortunately, she was not available to watch this week. I will let you know how she feels when she is able to see it. For me, the theatrical lighting and hand gestures acting out the song were a little much for me, but, c’mon, it’s Adam. Two things are clear: Adam is in such a different league vocally than the others, and he is not afraid to take chances even with the Simon choice of an iconic song (in contrast to Kris’s possible fear of changing “Apologize”). I also could have done without the signature over-the-top screeching high notes just thrown in there for no real reason, but so what, I guess. Simon gave him a time-bomb of a song choice where he could really blow himself up and told him to defuse it. Mission accomplished (to me…we’ll see what Mrs. RAD thinks).

Adam’s Choice: “Cryin” by Aerosmith – This almost seemed like an oddly conventional choice for Adam to close the show. There was his usual over-the-top screeching again and vocal gymnastics, and I am not sure how much wide appeal that is going to have (for the AI vote or for his assured album release, win or lose). But, again, his singing ability is just beyond the other two. And, I will admit that at one point during this performance that he sounded so impressive (in his way, mind you) that I got a brief chill. Here’s my problem, as if they were not pushing him enough, Simon outright tells Adam’s fans not to be complacent, virtually campaigning for him? So, a number of weeks ago, he gives a never before seen standing ovation to him, and now this. That deserves another “wow” (and, for sure, some anger from some circles).

This is quite a contest we have here. All three have well-energized bases, and there is no clarity of how this could end up. The show will be crest-fallen if Adam is not in the finals, but it could be the best thing to happen to him. He is bigger than the show this season and does not need to win. I don’t know if he can sell many albums past the first week of release (Mrs. RAD, among others I am sure, believes that he is a passing fascination that cannot sell long-term), but, no matter. His fame has begun. Kris needs a finale win the most for a career start. As for Dan, it would be a consolation prize for the show if he were the eventual winner. I will take a wild guess and say that Kris’s fans are more determined than Daniel’s.

Finale Contestants Prediction: Adam Lambert and Kris Allen

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