THIS…Is American Idol – Top 12 Guys

So it’s time for the weekly reviews of the American Idol singers!! After last night’s Top 24 guys, I have my pick for a winner. I know he won’t win, but I’d be thrilled if he did. This year I didn’t watch many of the audition episodes, and only the last two Hollywood rounds. So I haven’t really been following anyone in particular heading into the Top 24. It was kind of nice to watch and NOT have many preconceived notions about the singers.

Having said that, there is one guy who HAS to go, and one that most likely will go. I believe two men will get booted on Thursday because I think Ryan said that 4 go home this week. It was easy to pick my two men who wouldn’t be around past Thursday.

But first, the performances:

Clint Jun Gamboa went first. And (ugh) he picked “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder which really needs to be retired from American Idol. It is now my least favorite song of all time. For this reason alone, I want him to leave this week.

Jovany Barreto sang next and just because he didn’t choose a Stevie Wonder song, he did well in my eyes. He actually “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain, and I think he did a fine job, but it was boring. Very, very boring.

Jordan Dorsey sang “OMG” by Usher, and to be honest, I had never heard this song since I loathe R&B music. He certain had energy on the stage, but I wasn’t impressed by the performance as a whole. The vocals were so-so. However, I think he’ll get enough votes to stay for a couple weeks.

Tim Halperin sang “Streetcorner Symphony” by Rob Thomas. Another song I didn’t know and had to look up. I didn’t realize how out of touch I am with relatively new music! *lol* In any event, he was another one who was okay, but a bit lackluster and boring. I think he has fans, but will they vote enough times to keep him past the first few rounds? I’m not so sure. Not with forgettable performances like that one.

Brett Loewenstern massacred “Light My Fire” by The Doors, and yes, I do mean massacred. I was shocked when Steven Tyler praised the kid. I mean, this is JIM MORRISON, man. Pure, raw, animal sex appeal. And dorkie hippy Brett is singing it? All the power of that sound was lost. If anyone this season is going to be the Sanjaya, it’s this kid. I hope he’s gone soon and doesn’t make the Top 10.

James Durbin sang “You Got Another Thing Comin’” by Judas Priest. I’ll admit I was very nervous about seeing him perform because he can be more than annoying when he goes into his power vocals. However, he sang this song perfectly. Seriously – it was excellently done. Even those who aren’t fans of that kind of music must admit he was on pitch, had energy, and owned that vocal.

Robbie Rosen sang “Arms of an Angel” by Sarah McLachlan. I have to admit something to you. I know this song – quite well – but it wasn’t until about halfway through Robbie’s singing that I realized what he was singing! I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, it was a bit bland, but it wasn’t terrible. The kid seems nice, and unless he does something disastrous, I can see him making the Top 10 (but then not lasting long after that).

Scott McCreery sang “Baby lock them doors…” er, I mean, “Letters From Home” by John Michael Montgomery. Is there ANY doubt that this kid is the next Carrie Underwood? Seriously – this competition is his to lose. And even if he does lose, he’ll get a contract for sure. His voice is pure country – and it’s amazing that he’s only 17 years old! North Carolinas grows ’em good, doesn’t it? *lol* Amazing.

Stefano Langone covered “Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars. I love this song. And Stefano, who was unknown to me until he climbed on the stage for the Top 12 show, was very good. Unfortunately, he sounded just like Bruno Mars. But it fit him well stylistically, and I can see him getting a pass at least through tomorrow’s initial cut.

Next up is Paul McDonald who swiftly became my favorite despite singing a song I don’t much care for, “Maggie May” by Rod Stewart. I absolutely, positively, without reservation, ADORE HIM. From his random, rambling walking around the stage (on Facebook I said he walked like a six-year-old who didn’t care how he looked), to his engaging smile and amazing voice – I became his biggest fan about halfway through the song. It was spot on and wonderful. Denis didn’t care for it much, but then he counts “Maggie May” as one of his favorite songs of all time. So he’s probably a bit more picky about how people sing that song. But for me? As a person who doesn’t like that song, he was brilliant. He’s who I WANT to win the whole thing (but I know he won’t).

Jacob Lusk sang “House is Not a Home” and he was good. He tends to be too overdramatic, but this song calls for that, and he did well. I predict he has a lot of fans, and will definitely make the Top 10. But if he wants to win me over he needs to keep the theatrics to a minimum and just prove he’s the best singer.

Casey Abrams sang “I Put a Spell On You” by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. I love this song, and Casey did a fine, quirky job. Will he make the Top 10? Probably. Will he make the Top 5? I’m not sure. I could see some theme weeks tripping him up (and fear the same for Scott McCreery as well), but he has that unrefined unpredictable quality that made Taylor Hicks the winner of his season. Not only that, but I don’t see Casey Abrams as being particularly radio-friendly. At some point his fans won’t count enough to overpower another singer in the Top 10.

So that’s my take on the Top 12 guys. All in all there’s no guy who is downright horrible, although there are a few I want gone just because they annoy me. But as long as those guys are cut over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be happy with that.

Who will get cut: Jovany and Jun
Who came out on top: Scott McCreery, for sure.