American Idol 7: Ranking the Top 6 – The Battle of the Davids
by Sting7
-- 04/21/2008
Sting7 is back from vacation, and has plenty to say about this year’s Idol. Does he agree with Asher Street’s assessment of the top contenders? What has he noticed since he’s been away? Is there a new number one?
First of all, great thanks to Asher Streets for keeping the seat warm for me while I was away!
A couple of Idol things to talk about. Michael Johns. Yes, I know I am going to incur the wrath of many of you when I say that, much like David Bloomberg previously explained, I wasn’t really surprised by his dismissal. Since he sang the Fleetwood Mac song, his sparkle seemed to be fading. Week after week, he did a decent job, but nothing that made me want to lunge for the phone to vote for him. You just can’t afford to be mediocre at this stage in the competition.
Also, I have to note how much I love Jordin Sparks’ new single with Chris Brown. I had some doubts that Jordin was going to be able to make much of her Idol reign, with her odd vibrato and not quite pin-up packaging. Shut me up! Her duet with Chris Brown, “No Air,” is ear candy of the finest quality. Vocally, she’s never sounded better, or stronger, or engaging. Nice work to all involved.
Being in Europe, I watched Leona Lewis win X-Factor, a.k.a. Simon’s summer job. Her imminent domination of America is no surprise. Divas everywhere are claiming Leona is a younger version of them (all except for the diva that draws the most comparison, Mariah Carey – hmmm). Her run on X-Factor was absolutely Clarkson-esque. Never in the bottom two. Never a hint of danger. She is a product the UK can truly be proud of. And, I hear, Simon just can’t stop crowing about her.
On to the rankings! Remember that the number in parentheses is where they were ranked last week (in this case, by Asher).
David Archuleta (2) – I have disagree with my good buddy Asher Streets on this. As Disney-ready as he is proving to be, whoever is going to take the Idol crown will have to wrest it from David Archuleta's hands. His fan base is all over the map – from teenagers to grandmothers. No other contestant can say that. And, once again, he sang my eyes to moistness with "When You Believe." Mariah and Whitney didn't even do that for me.
David Cook (1) – Oh, make no mistake. Mr. Cook is making a definite run for the title, and he is a real contender! If he hears Tonya Harding is within 100 miles of him, he should ask for extra security! Again, I wasn't as enamored with the rest of the world about his take on Mariah, but I do have to give credit to his uncanny sense of musicality. Given time to make a proper album, he could be the next Chris Daughtry. As for Idol, he still has some work to do... but he is gaining.
Syesha Mercado (3) – Asher is with me on this one! I have heard plenty of people tell me how much they hate Syesha. I adore her. I adore the ground her pretty little pedicured feet walk on. Besides the dazzling smile and that musical little laugh, the future mother of my children has a drop-dead gorgeous voice. It is clean, sparkling, but with surprising power. The girl is a star. Enough of my love letter – as Idol goes, Syesha is a competitor. You could see it in her eyes the first time she landed in the bottom three, "I'm not going to win, but if I get another week, I'm going out guns blazing!" She seems to have held on to this credo long enough to outlast Chikezie, Ramiele, Michael, and Kristy. She is taking the hard songs and delivering! Why no one but me and Asher wants to give her credit for that is beyond me. That high-C in "I Believe"? Fabulous. And having the guts to sing a Mariah song that was not even a single and surviving? I tell you, that means something! Syesha is growing on people!
Carly Smithson (7) – I have a bit more faith in Carly than Asher, but something is amiss with her. A few weeks ago, you may remember it was me who warned you Michael Johns was losing momentum. So is Carly. Is it really her song choices? Is the problem her "other" factor? She's not as beautiful as Syesha and Kristy. She's not as quirky cute as Brooke. She is... the other. Singing talent is clearly not the problem. I would say singing talent wasn't the problem for any of the top 12, but something about is Carly is not working. One thing for Syesha, she knows how to work the cameras. Carly does not, and it’s killing her.
Jason Castro (5) – Done with him. I have had enough of dreadlocked emo-lad. When did it happen? The second I saw the ukulele. He's become my Josh Gracin, and flourishing country career be-damned, that is not a good thing.
Brooke White (4) – Tick tock. America's love affair with quirky Brooke is juuuust about over. And thank goodness. I have received dozens of emails asking me what don't I like about her, and I have no real answer to that question. She just... makes my neck hurt. Yeah, she can sing, she's cute, nice personality, but how many of you are honestly, honestly, waiting to buy her album? Yes, some of you will say you are, but we'll see when Billboard comes out, okay? [Editor’s Note: If you are interested in a Brooke album, she already has a CD available from her pre-Idol days. You can buy it through this link.] I am annoyed that she checked out of all of the hard parts of "Hero," hoping the pretty blonde girl on the piano schtick would make up for the lack of emotional punch. Didn't work for me.
So, what do you think? Is Syesha's luck running out or is she just winning the fight week to week? Does the battle of the Davids have a new Goliath? is Jason Castro plucking your nerves too? Let's get together again next week and compare notes!
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out these other recent articles on Foxes On Idol:
Sting7 has been a respected published writer for many years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He currently lives in Europe, loves cold lemonade, ice cream and kittens! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com.
is ear candy of the finest quality. Vocally, she’s never sounded better, or stronger, or engaging. Nice work to all involved. 
] I am annoyed that she checked out of all of the hard parts of "Hero," hoping the pretty blonde girl on the piano schtick would make up for the lack of emotional punch. Didn't work for me. 
