Courtesy of Parliament 
Last week it was the 60’s theme. This week the Season 7 American Idol contestants will throw on the polyester, and rock out to the 70’s.
Though I don’t know what songs each contestant will chose, I can tell you what to expect. Expect to here covers of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and/or the Commodores. Timeless classics, which are safe enough to perform, when only given 5 days to prepare.
The guys will have to do better than last week. The judges certainly made it clear that the girls faired better during 60’s week. Look for the nerves to go away slightly. And the cream to rise to the top.
In my opinion, there is a huge gap, from top to bottom. Start with the bottom. David Hernandez and Luke Menard appear to be the most vulnerable this week. Though neither is flat out terrible, neither bring any flare or originality to their performances. Chikezie Eze and Jason Yeager need to really focus on song choice. Last week, their song choices were not good. Every performance from here on out, needs to be heart felt, and true. If you don’t feel the song, and give a believable performance, you’re hanging yourself. The mid-pack for me, is David Archuleta, Robbie Carrico, and Danny Noriega. All three show great stage presence. Obviously comfortable on stage. But they all have a significant flaw. Archuleta’s voice is severely under developed. (almost pre-pubescent) Carrico has the Bucky Covington disease, in which he tends to goes through periods of mumbling lyrics. Noriega is just flat out too feminine. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be politically incorrect here, but honestly, this is suppose to be ‘guys night’ to perform. That leaves the cream of the crop. Michael Lee Johns is far and away, the front runner. He is the total package. I’d be shocked if Johns didn’t make at the very least, the Final 2. David Cook is awfully impressive as well. He might have some problems with the diversity of themes, like his comparison of Chris Daughtry, but Cook is so polished and confident, he should be in the Final 5. And Jason Castro. I liked his performance last week, and feel he is talented. My main concern is that Castro is such a throw back, that when he is pressed upon to be perform contemporary music, he’ll look out of sorts. Even still, Castro looks confident, and could find himself making it as far as the final 8.
So what two guys will get the boot this week? For what its worth, I’ll put my money on Luke Menard and Chikezie Eze being sent home. Then again, I haven’t seen the performances yet, so what do I know?
Enjoy the show, check back tomorrow for a Guys Recap and Girls Preview.
Parliament out!
