Surprise! After looking despondent last week and still being saved, Kris Allen realized that he could still win this thing.
In his usual, low-key way – how many times is Seacrest going to call him “humble”? – Allen simply made a musical argument that he would likely be the biggest-seller of the bunch because he is the only one who could be played on the radio right now. Turning Kanye West’s icy “Heartless” into a warm, Jason Mraz-ish strummer was a move of David Cook-ian genius.
Danny Gokey, on the other hand, was plagued by bad decisions. While Adam Lambert’s credit-sharing comments and actions seem generous and genuine, Gokey’s attempts seem forced. Adding a sax solo into “Dance Little Sister” and then dueling seemed ridiculous because (cue Cowell) it’s a singing competition. Then underselling “You Are So Beautiful,” like Allen would do, seemed ill-advised. Allen’s power is in his sweet likability. Gokey’s power is in his soulful voice and he gave it away, probably sending his chances of winning away with it.
Lambert’s wild rearrangement of U2's “One” actually makes more sense over the course of the whole song, but in its abbreviated “Idol”-ized form, it was too jarring. It was too much wail and not enough setup. His take on “Cryin’” worked much better, reminding folks that other wailing rock banshees have succeeded in the past and the he plans to be another. That said, he would have been far better served to do a Guns 'N Roses song – “Paradise City”? “Welcome to the Jungle”? Can you imagine? – though I’m guessing Axl Rose isn’t too keen on lending out those songs right now.
A Lambert-Allen matchup. Who knew that could even be possible?
THE RANKINGS (and six-word reviews)
Kris Allen, “Heartless”: Could be a hit right now.
Adam Lambert, “Cryin’”: A good bid for rock relevancy.
Adam Lambert, “One”: Crazy-good, but Sam-Harris-like. Needed more restraint.
Kris Allen, “Apologize”: Smartly lowered the key. Still cute.
Danny Gokey, “You Are So Beautiful”: Understated, restrained, but still kinda boring.
Danny Gokey, “Dance Little Sister”: Way beyond shouty! With bad scatting!
SHOULD BE CUT: Danny
WILL BE CUT: Danny
ACTUALLY CUT: ???
PHOTO: Kris Allen from AmericanIdol.com
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