Idol tries to rock

With Obama about to knock Clinton out of the race for president, Ryan tells us tonight we must vote.

Ah, David, David, Syesha or Jason... it seems like this season's gone on forever. I can't imagine it being 3 guys at the end, so I'm assuming this is it for Jason. They're singing songs from the Rock Hall of Fame, or something weird like that.

It's essentially an extended commercial for the museum; at least David Cook's happy. He kicks things off, doing Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran. Not a great choice I don't think, but he can probably make it good. He looks like a star, leather jacket and cool hair and all. Song really isn't that strong, he makes it seem like an event, but it's just okay for me. Randy says it's okay, Paula likes his overall growth, Simon says not bad, a bit copycat but okay.

Syesha chats with Ryan about the tour, and meeting all her fans. She's doing Proud Mary--jeez, why? Oh well, at least we know it'll be a good song. She's totally got the attitude down pat, though; gotta risk big at this point, I guess. Her interpretation is very different than Tina's rough style; it really isn't memorable, just not bad. Because it's an intrinsically good song, it's fun to listen to, but she's just okay. Randy says you're in the zone, nice going, have been surging lately; Paula says the same, Simon says just a bad, shrieky impersonation. Randy says afterwards let's see, he's from England I'm from Louisiana--we're in differnt places.

Jason Castro next, he's singing one of the rare songs he knows, I Shot the Sheriff. He's doing this fake reggae Bob Marley thing, I don't like it, his voice is thin. Just no real flow, his tone is totally gone. Randy says that was bad, nothing special, gotta wow us, not good. Paula says you performed well, but wasn't crazy about it. Simon calls it utterly atrocious, you messed it up, like a first-round audition massacre, I don't know what you're thinking.

David Archuleta, doing Stand By Me. Should be a great fit for his tone. He speeds it up a bit, it's actually good. Like my favorite song by anyone in weeks. It's compelling, personal, smooth. Even if he closes his eyes. Very heartfelt, though, the crowd goes nuts. Randy really likes it, enthuses about how hot it was; Paula says you really delivered; Simon says not tough competition after Jason, struggled a bit at the end, but the best performance so far. Ryan says you always look like you're out of breath, he says the judges faces scare me, I don't know what they're going to say. The shrieks are deafening; he was good, though.

David Cook next, this is already way better than his first effort, doing the Who's Teenage Wasteland. Slow, powerful, totally in control, kicks it up in the second half of course. Could be a big seller on the radio, vintage Cook. Randy says that's more like it, Paula wants more and is humbled watching his soul, Simon says welcome back.

Syesha doing A Change is Going to Come, really good from the opening notes. Hmm, getting a bit weaker, tentative rather than definitive. Better on the drawn out notes, very strong emotion; she's too weak on the soft parts though, like too smooth or something. Big finish though; a really interesting performance, she showed what she's capable of, even if she didn't entirely deliver. Randy says I didn't love it as much as the first, didn't like the arrangments, messed with it too much; Paula just stands up and applauds, liked the vocals, welcome to your dream, as Syesha cries; Simon says he has to be fair, agrees with Paula. Simon says Randy totally wrong about that, you sang that really well. Syesha is just crying, tears all over her eyes, says she found out so much about the song and the civil rights movement, meant a lot to me, I feel like I've changed a lot. Ryan says Randy, thanks for the buzz kill, Simon keeps saying you've made Syesha cry.

Jason Castro; jeez, poor guy, gotta follow this. Doing Mr. Tambourine Man though, a great song. Great pick, fits his vocal style and the way he looks; ooh, a killer--forgets the lyrics. His run on Idol is over. It's a tricky song unless you really get the lyrics, poor Jason. Randy says what do you think, he says well I lost some lines, Randy says not sure what's going on; Paula says you've got your niche, still like you; Simon says I'd pack your suitcase.

Archuleta doing Love Me Tender, a good pick for him, says he hasn't sung a romantic love song on the big stage yet. Gosh, you know he's syrupy, but such a good voice. Thousands of teen girls are going to play this over and over again. It's a bit different from Elvis, not nearly as good, but interesting. Randy loved how he caresses each word, Paula says one of my faves, Simon says you crushed the competition.

I don't know, if Syesha can put it together for a whole song, and pick something that she's emotionally connected to, can you break up the David/David finals?

David Archuleta, Stand By Me
Syesha Mercado, A Change is Going to Come
David Archuleta, Love Me Tender
Jason Castro, Mr. Tambourine Man
David Cook, Teenage Wasteland
Syesha Mercado, Proud Mary
David Cook, Hungry Like the Wolf
Jason Castro, I Shot the Sheriff