American Idol: David vs. Goliath

And so goes the end of Season Seven's competition.

It's David vs. Goliath as David Cook faces off against a balladeer of such immense proportions that he might as well be trying to scale the Himalayas with a bathing suit and flip flops on.  

The judges held nothing back as they did everything but fan David Archuleta with a a palm while feeding him grapes. They tripped over one another to dole out the biggest compliment to the boy wonder while David Cook stood by and took their harshest criticism to date.

Fair? Hardly. Both contestants delivered a preview of what kind of album they might put out. Unfortunately for David Cook, American Idol is happy to continue its questionable track record of mediocre debuts for its winners rather than try to change up the formula. 

What I think would reinvigorate the admittedly slumping Idol would be the coronation of someone who could break the mold. *cough Cook cough* Someone whose debut album people might actually buy and enjoy. *cough Cook cough* Someone who made an album that actually appealed to their fan base. *cough Cook cough*

*Sigh* That doesn't seem destined to happen. 

What did you think? Who did you love? Who did you hate? Who surprised you the most?

Here are my thoughts:

Songs: Haven't Found What I'm Looking For/Dream Big/The World I Know

Rants/Raves: Nice to hear a bit of U2 on American Idol at last. I thought Cook sounded good. It was a good match for his voice and style. Liked the shot of Cook from behind with the crowd in front of him. For a second, it felt like his own concert. I wasn't blown out of my seat, but it was a solid performance. 

So Cook chooses the song from Minnesota's own homegrown songwriter Emily Shackelton. Gotta give him some credit for that. This isn't nearly as nauseating as past finale songs. Must be the rock vibe. The lyrics still leave something to be desired (sorry Shackelton) but Cook looks like a star. He's still got to blow it out of the park on his last song if he has any chance of winning.

I kinda like that Cook chose not to reprise one of his hits from earlier in the season tonight. As much as I would have loved to hear "Billy Jean" or "Eleanor Rigby" again, he challenged himself up until the end with "The World I Know" and I appreciate that. Tonight's three performances give a really good idea of who Cook is. He didn't sell out. Was it enough to win? Maybe, if his fans are freaked out enough at the prospect of the baby face bringing it home instead. 

Songs: Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me/In This Moment/Imagine

Rants & Raves: Round One - U2 vs. Elton John - at least Clive Davis gets some credit for picking musical acts of similar stature rather than choosing an Elton John song and a Bobby McFerrin song. Archuleta sounds good but this is a ballady/inspirational song so it's no surprise. This is a night of redemption - those who wish Clay Aiken would have won Season Two will vote for Archuleta. Those who think Chris Daughtry was robbed in Season Four will vote Cook. 

Song two: *I can't wait to hear this on the radio* pause NOT. This is typical finale dribble. There was no doubt that Archuleta would be able to sing whatever schlock the "aspiring" Idol songwriters came up with and he did. I didn't feel it, but judging by the little girls in the audience who were clapping as if their very lives depended on it - it was a hit. 

Rounding out the night, Archuleta dusts off the song that popped him to the head of the pack in the early days of Season Seven. And yes, it's still pure and beautiful. Blah blah blah. We've heard it before. Am I going to buy David Archuleta's album? Most likely not. 

Who should win: David Cook 

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