Digital Brainwaves

Top three week on Idol — three performers, three song choices from three different groups.

• The judges have each picked songs for the contestants, the producers have picked songs, and the contestants have each picked a song for themselves.
• First, the judges picks…
  1. David Archuleta - “And So It Goes” (Paula’s pick) - Wow. Very impressive, very powerful. Incidentally, he’s doing a better (though not perfect) job of keeping his eyes open when he’s singing.
  2. Syesha Mercado - “If I Ain’t Got You” (Randy’s pick) - I don’t know the song, but it sounds pretty good. Nothing jumped out at me and said “this is weak,” so I gotta call it great.
  3. David Cook - “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (Simon’s pick) - Impressive job keeping in key on the higher notes at the beginning and end. I don’t recognize this song either, but it’s an awesome job. I can see Randy’s viewpoint, though, that, though done very well, it’s not a Cook-esque rock song. Great job, though.
• Next up… the contestants’ choices.
  1. David Archuleta - “With You” - Not bad, though he sounds like he’s out of breath in spots. Not that the girls up front care, they’re going to drool over him either way.
  2. Syesha Mercado - “Fever” - Very nice, and very sexy. I can see Simon’s thought on maybe picking a newer song, but I don’t think it was “lame” (his word) by any means.
  3. David Cook - “Dare You to Move” - Nice rock ballad, though he sounded a little pitchy. Not his best performance
• And, finally, the producers’ choices. Looking forward to big finishes from everyone…
  1. David Archuleta - “Longer” - Good song choice for David’s voice. Excellent performance, with a little flourish at the end. Nice.
  2. Syesha Mercado - “Hit Me Up” - Pitchy in spots. She had the energy, but I’m not sure she did well enough to beat out the other two guys.
  3. David Cook - “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” - Better rock ballad for David’s style with the Aerosmith song. Loved it.

Giving a vote for each good performance, then dropping votes that cancel each other out…

I would have voted for: David A. twice (1, 1) and David Cook twice (3, 3).