By Candice Montenegro, Contributor
INQUIRER.net
DAVID is going to be the next American Idol.
I know, I know, I’m fence sitting. Cook or Archuleta? That I do not know yet, but I’m almost sure it’s going to be a David face-off at the Nokia Theatre two weeks from now.
This year’s “American Idol” has been a mix of pure musical genius, acquired taste and huge fan bases. We’ve seen the likes of Carly Smithson and Michael Johns, who are both really good singers but probably didn’t have that much charisma or personality to sustain them in the competition. We’ve seen Kristy Lee Cook and Brooke White outlast better singers like, say, Ramielle Malubay, and we wonder how many people from their hometowns are burning the lines just to make them stay in the competition.
And now it boils down to four really talented singers. Syesha Mercado has wowed us with her vocal range and quality since Day 1. And she’s probably the one who consistently got better every week, which is good. However, she tends to take on songs that are too big for her — Whitney Houston and Fantasia songs. Yes, she is a good singer, but she has to distinguish herself from all the other divas out there.
Jason Castro, on the other hand, is pure charisma and pretty blue eyes. He has his good moments (flashback to the “Hallelujah” performance that Simon Cowell always refers to), but Jason is acquired taste. He reminds me of a more laidback Jason Mraz, and I guess you’ll like him if you’re into seemingly stoned guitar dudes (my Jason Castro-crazy friends are going to kill me).
I don’t want to belittle the talent, charisma and star quality that brought Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado this far, but I still stand by my prediction — a David is going to win this season.
David Archuleta looks like the ideal winner — a young boy with a big voice, who has a video clip that shows how he sang for Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson, and who sang “America,” a performance that practically shouts, “Vote for ME, America!” But then there’s David Cook — a pure rocker who once in a while shows his mellow side (but still rocks it), a fantastic performer, and for whom Randy Jackson gave his first standing ovation of the season.
David Cook already has a chart-topping single under his belt (his rendition of “Always Be My Baby” sends shivers up my spine) and a fanbase that includes both women and men (a very crucial demographic), but David Archuleta has the “lip biting pa-humble” effect that appeals to tweens, teens, even to mothers and grandmothers.
And while I’m rooting for the edgier David, I think it’s still too early to say if we’re hearing a rocker rendition or an all-out singing contest version of the finale song. These last weeks are very crucial, especially the Top 3 week where they get to sing three songs — a song the judges pick for them, a song the producers pick, and a song they get to pick themselves. We’ll see if they’ll stick to their true sound or if they’ll gamble and pick a “risky” song.
At the start of the season, Ryan Seacrest kept saying that this is their most talented batch yet. That’s true, but just like any “American Idol” season, the others were there to, as my best friend says, “get booted off.” Now that it’s down to four, let’s sit back, enjoy, and see who between Syesha and Jason gets sent home first. Yes, a David will win this season. Soon enough we’ll find out which one it’s going to be.
17 Feedbacks on "‘American Idol 7′ finale: A David face-off"
Texas Storm
I’m voting for Archuleta to be the “last David standing”! Listening to him sing is pure pleasure.
Terri
I fully agree with the fact that a David will be the next American Idol. I think vocally both Davids have proven that they “have the right stuff”, but I do believe that David Cook is the “whole package”. I believe that they both have a wonderful opportunity to create terrific careers however, no matter who wins. As far as the other two, I agree that Syesha has grown week to week, but Jason Castro (poor dove) should have been voted off long ago. He is a “one trick pony” of sound and style, unable to change it up & grow much. I really think he peaked on about the 3rd week.
No matter who wins this year’s Idol, I do believe that they need to do something about eliminations. I really think that the judges should have some more to say about who stays or who goes each week. They could possibly do something like the Dancing with the Stars show does, where the judges actually judge and not simply sit and give their opinions. If we are looking at 3 music moguls (of differrent areas) then they should have a say….after all; they are the experts, no?
Either way, good luck to both Davids in their future careers…they are both destined for entertainment wonderland.
Selma
This is so obvious!
phoenix
I strongly agree that David Cook will win this competition.
I haven’t watched AI since Rami left but when I’ve had a glimpse of the Always be My Baby rendition of Cook, I was awestruck, forgot all my problems for a while and hurriedly went to the nearest internet cafe and searched on it on youtube. And learning everything about him made me liked him even more. He is a strong person who could face the judges with no tendendy of passing out any minute. He had shown his soft side during Mariah Week which left me curious and God, I can’t help myself from crying when I knew about his brother.
I was really wondering what made people think that he’s arrogant when all I see is a tough person, trying to gain his composure and confidence on stage.
character, vocal range, versatility… that’s the kind of person that deserves the american idol crown and he is no other than… DAVID COOK
Michael
I stopped watching after Ramielle and Michael Johns got booted off. After they both got booted off, I just googled the ones that got booted off after that. I was dissapointed to see Carly get booted off first before Jason and Sheyesha. Sheyesha has been consistent in the bottom three everyweek and suprisingly she is still there. I can’t stand David Archuleta and I hope David COok wins it.
shairel
David C rocks! He’s got versatility, a tough/gentle voice that seems to say, “I’m hurting but I’m getting stronger,” and every time he performs is like a concert.
g
Jason finally got the boot!
and yes i have been of the opinion that it is going to be a David vs David showdown…
i do love the archuleta… he is such a cutie…
but the cook is also HOT!!!!!
a matter of votes.
i like them both!
Shereeda
i hope David Cook wins. He is remarkably versatile, alluring and is the best performer. He’s sure to sell more albums than any of the others.
In fact, David C songs completely sells more on iTunes compared to the rest:
Hello
Billie Jean
Always Be My Baby
Little Sparrow….
just to name a few…
fan
I’m a fan of both Davids, but David A. is my favorite. Shop Around, Imagine, Stand By Me–this boy can SING! I’m looking forward to seeing what songs the judges and producers choose for him; he could do with some more upbeat songs. I wish we could have seen his A.I. version of “Crazy” because the judges absolutely loved it.
Francesca
David Archuleta is the clear bet for winning american idol with his great voice, good looks and charisma,
fishnman
It doesn’t matter which David “wins” the real winner will be crowned on the billboard charts and that winner will be David Cook. While Archie can sing he has no appeal to anyone over 13 or under 60 and he has no appeal at all to men. David Cook is awesome and like Daughtry before he will outsell all others.
AmyJeremiah
fisherman - you aren’t keeping up with Archuleta’s fan base nor are you keeping up with what music producers are looking for.
You prefer Cook. That is all you have said that is fact.
Other prefer other genre’s of music. Cook would not want you to bash his friend, Archie, to garner votes.
Good luck to the final 3. It will come down to performances and voter preference.
Jamie LLoyd
This season the pressure was on big time on the contestants. My favorite this year was Michael Johns who is doing quite well since leaving idol. He has been invited to sing at David Foster’s concert in Vegas this month. He will joined by a few other stars like Josh Grobin and Michael Blube. I really think at this point it dosen’t matter who wins because they are getting great exposure. Of the three left David Cook is my favorite.
cheche
if you can look back during the last 3 weeks, you’ll see that Archie really crushed the competition. his renditions were better that Cook’s whether you agree or not (especially that Think Of Me version.. really nailed it!). I’m 23 years old but i’m rooting for Archie because he can represent American Idol very well..
wreck_xxx
I like Archie, but nowadays i get bored. His style of singing is predictable. The same thing over and over again. Unlike Cook he has a striking performance. Unpredictable. I can’t imagine he sings “always be my baby” that way. Archie should show the same to win my vote back.
lo
i really hope david cook wins! hes not scared to take a perfectly normal song and change it into something totally different while not totally butchering it!!
david archuleta has a great voice and what not but i dont think hes the best fit.
WE’LL SEE HOW IT GOES TONIGHT…TOP 3!
Bazeika
Well, I think both deserve it, but like Fisherman said, the popularity will be the real bar to clear after the show. Cook can’t do anything about his age and Archuleta can hardly help how shy he is. It will surprise me either way tomorrow. At first I thought everybody loved Archuleta, but apparently Cook is a lot more popular with most of these comments. I’m not trying to convert anyone, I’m just giving my own opinion which is probably different from most people’s. The world has plenty of musicians out there, now they just need someone who is genuine in a good way. I think Archuleta would have a great effect on people because personally I like the nicer, cleaner sound of his music choice. (Obviously I don’t know what would become of David Cook either, and I’m not dissin’ him). I also hope all this fame doesn’t get to Archuleta and turn him into something else. Hang in there, A.
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