S10E30: I questioned the idea of Idol’s Carole King week because very few of these folks seems like a Carole King type of singer. What I didn’t account for is that her songs can act as a litmus test, because while they’re classic, they’re bare bones. They allow for the performer to really add their own style into it and so King is actually the perfect artist for this part of the competition, when we’re starting to have a hard time deciding between the contestants. It’s times like this when a really rousing pop song can win you over even if the performance isn’t that great or a downer of a song can spell death. These song choices leveled the playing field and we can now see who’s really who.
Here are your top 6 in order from best to worst.
Casey Abrams
“Hi De Ho”
I think from here on out, it may be safe to say that Casey will continue to be my number one. He’s simply the most creative, dedicated, talented performer we’ve seen on the show in years and he needs to be rewarded for that. Then again, winning Idol hasn’t always spelled success for past winners, but maybe that’s because they weren’t actually that talented…ahem, Lee DeWyze.
Haley Reinhart
“Beautiful”
I know Haley will be in the bottom three again, but I really hope I’m wrong. She’s a fantastic singer and you can see that from this video of her Carole King performance. The thing, I think, that’s killing her is the fact that she is different from other Idol ladies, she is super confident and sassy, and maybe that’s intimidating or puts voters off, but let’s look at every successful female solo singer. They all have that element, because you have to in order to really entertain people with a performance. She’s great and I sincerely hope she isn’t going home this week.
Jacob Lusk
“Oh no! Not My Baby”
Jacob, Jacob, Jacob. He’s so very talented. He can really sing his ass off. But, I don’t think he’s mainstream enough to win over these voters. He was in the bottom three last week and I think it’s because most voters can’t see themselves listening to his song in the car on the radio. While I’d like to think Idol voters are looking for more than that, I think past winners have shown us that’s not true. They are looking for someone fun, easy to listen to, and someone who perpetuates the style of music they already love. This is why Haley isn’t doing well and it’s why Jacob may be the next to go.
Scotty McCreery
“You Gotta Friend”
Once again, Scotty did what Scotty does. He did a great job; he pushed himself and it worked. When it comes to Scotty, it really just comes down to taste. Is he someone you think you’d listen to and pay to see in concert? It seems that for many folks, the answer is hell yes, and when he’s as consistent as he’s been, I think it makes complete and total sense. While I have a few other choices for the final slot, I think it’s possible we may have our winner right here.
Lauren Alaina
“Where You Lead”
I still love this girl, but she just can’t compete with the other folks that are left here. She’s the only straight-forward pop/country singer this season and we’ve seen that on here time and time again. She’s vanilla, albeit gourmet vanilla from a fancy grocery store, but vanilla nonetheless. I think in any other Idol cycle she could have been on top, but this year, things are just a little too different and a little too interesting to give her the crown.
James Durbin
“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”
I honestly don’t understand this guy’s success. He is not pleasant to listen to at all. Jennifer mentioned that his song was the only one that got her moving, well, maybe that’s because all the others were slow songs. HELLO. This was the most upbeat Carole King song he could find, so of course he chose it, because he’s all show. Randy also said this showed us the guy can actually sing, and while that’s true, there’s a difference between having a skill and using it beautifully. He has the skill, he can physically hit those notes; I just don’t want to hear him do it.
Who’s going home? It should be James, but it’s more than likely that Jacob will get the boot.
