After weeks of auditions some of these 12 boys are finally getting their first opportunity to get more than a minute on camera. For others, this is merely their first performance. As far as I'm concerned, the playing field is leveled!! All 12 are getting up on that stage to introduce themselves to us and win our votes. Here's what they offered as they sang songs from the 60's:
David Hernandez is 24 and he chose to put his own smooth soul stamp on Wilson Picket's In The Midnight Hour from 1965. His vocals are literally as smooth as his baby soft face. He re-invented and updated a classic song. He looks good and sounded great. A very good first impression.
Chikezie is 22 and he chose to suck the life out of the 1969 hit by Spiral Staircase, More Today Than Yesterday. The original is an upbeat and lively toe-tapper and for some reason he decided to perform it like a drowsy lounge lizard. Re-invented, but not updated. Not a good first impression.
David Cook is 25 and he chose to rock out to the Turtles #1 smash from 1967, Happy Together. He's the latest in the long line of rockers with limited vocal range doing their best to succeed on the Miss American Idol stage. The rock arrangement worked, but he'd better develop more stage presence if he wants his voice to be viewed as passion and not just screaming. A luke warm first impression.
Jason Yeager is 28 and he chose to navigate his way through the Breakfast at Tiffany's movie song from 1961, Moon River. It started out as such smooth sailing it could put you to sleep. Even when he made some waves proving he could hit the big notes, it was barely enough to keep us afloat. A weak first impression.
Robbie Carrico is 26 and he chose to try and rock our worlds with the Three Dog Night jam from 1969, One. Where some rockers have a rough and raspy edge to their voices, his came off as somewhat thin and shrill. Seems like he's working harder to look like a rocker than sounding like one. A paper thin first impression.
David Archuleta is 17 and he chose to light up the stage with his version of Shop Around by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1961. Sincerity just radiates from his bright smile. Even though his voice isn't the most distinctive or the most powerful, you just want to pinch his cheeks and look forward to seeing him next week. A great first impression every time.
Danny Noriega is 18 and he chose to reach back to the 50's and perform Jailhouse Rock that Elvis took to #1 for 7 weeks in 1957. The sound coming out of his mouth does not match the skinny awkward boy on stage. He tried his best to be energetic and show off his dancing skills, but his hips do not move nearly as well as those of The King of Rock and Roll. He was totally unconvincing. A comical first impression.
Luke Menard is 29 and he chose to play the Midnight Cowboy and sing Nilsson's Everybody's Talkin from 1969. It was a very bland performance that leads one to believe that he's hoping to coast on his rugged good looks. A "looks 10, vocals 3" impression.
Colton Berry is 18 and he chose to perform the last #1 hit song for Elvis - 1969's Suspicious Minds. Elvis had the style and talent to chart with over 100 songs and take 18 all the way to #1. Colton doesn't have enough of anything to chart at all. It just didn't work. A messy first impression.
Garrett Haley is 17 and he chose to wrap his warm falsetto around Neil Sedaka's 1962 chart-topper Breaking Up Is Hard To Do. He poured it over the fans like syrup on a stack of hot cakes - very sweet. It would have been nice, though, if he had mixed up the ballad version with the up-tempo arrangment. Oh well. A good first impression.
Jason Castro is 20 and he chose to pull back his dirty dread-locks, pick up his guitar and perform the song that peaked at #2 for the Lovin' Spoonful in 1966, Daydream. He took us right back there and embodied the era with his look and vocal interpretation. Was he bare foot up there? A retro first impression.
Michael Johns is 29 and he chose to heat things up by pulling out his inner Jim Morrison and scorching the crowd with the Doors #1 song from 1967, Light My Fire. He totally looks and sounds the part with great vocals and dynamic stage presence. A hot first impression.
They always try to hype up the audience by saying "this is the BEST top 24 EVER!". I will say that this year's group of boys is better than last year's, but there isn't anyone one as unique as last year's 1st runner-up, Blake Lewis. So far, the only two who are a sure thing for the top 12 are David Archuleta and Michael Johns. As for the rest of them, any could be sent packing this Thursday. My prediction for the lowest vote getters is Jason Yeager, Danny Noriega, Luke Menard and Colton Berry. Danny has the ego and the potential to be another trainwreck like Sanjaya, so I fear he will be saved by weird people calling in for him. I think that Jason and Luke will be going home because they are too nice, too handsome and too forgettable.
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