is the real deal...dude is ready to cut a record. He can sing, he has charisma, he takes chances, hes a musician. This dude is clearly above anyone else left on that show including David Archuletta and Syesha.

Cook's performance of Billy Jean and Mariah's Always Be My Baby were exceptional. That dude has it
[Edited 4/15/08 18:11pm]

he is good indeed. I really don't like the rest. Castro and Archie????? What are people seeing and HEARING??

I would buy his cd

jthad1129 said:

You're just sayin that cuz he's so hot

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Nah....I like breasts, ass and legs....but dude is talented...thats for sure

Okay! I've waited all season for this week, so here's my take on it (SPOILER ALERT for WEST COAST ORGERS):

David Archuletta (When You Believe): I was tipped off a bit this morning when Mariah appeared on B96 in Chicago and said that he was singing a song that she didn't write and which did not go to number one. He did a nice performance, but it appeared as though his stage dad picked this song out for him.

Carly Smithson (Without You): She had the vocal chops to do this song justice, but it appeared that she wasn't singing with complete confidence and tried too hard to mimic Mariah's version of the song. This was originally written by the 60's group Badfinger and made originally into a huge hit by Harry Nillson.

Syesha Mercado (Vanishing): I predicted she would sing this two weeks ago, and she was the only AI contestant who could give justice to Mariah's vocals. While it would be extremely difficult for any singer to perform on Mariah's vocal level, particularly with her early songs, she did a brilliant job. But the home viewers aren't showing her much love this season.

Brooke White (Hero): Brooke probably picked the only song she could reasonably perform from Mariah's catalog, and while she started out okay, she was rushing the vocals at the end abd even messed up a note on the piano. She's probably going to be in the bottom three tomorrow night.

Kristy Lee Cook (Forever): Kristy probably picked the only song she could do reasonably well, and while she wasn't the complete train wreck I thought she would be, she picked probably the one song from Mariah's "Daydream" album which was the biggest throwaway track. Not only do I think that she will be in the bottom three, but she will most likely be voted off tomorrow night.

David Cook (Always Be My Baby): I was especially curious about what he would do with Mariah Carey's songs and I even thought he might sing "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" since Mariah covered it, but I was surprised that he chose to do this song. Having said that, he turned that song into an alt-rock anthem and did a spectacular job. I actually hope he's allowed to do his own thing when he gets a record deal, because he's already shown he can put out an album right now.


Jason Castro (I Don't Wanna Cry): Considering his singing style, I really liked the way he arranged the song, but his vocals were off in places. I don't think he'll make it very much farther this season, since to me he's like Jack Johnson with dreads. He could make the bottom three, but then again he may sneak past Carly Smithson for safety.

Overall, it wasn't as awesomely bad as I thought it would be, but it's obvious which contestants have the real talent and which ones are just coasting.

He has a hipster combover, and he's a one trick pony. You've got to be kidding.

728huey said:

Good assessment of the contestants tonight although I think Carly Smithson will be voted out 2morrow night. Kristy Lee Cook has the vote of country music fans.

I was rooting for David Archuletta all season but after tonight, my allegiance is with David Cook. The way he took Always Be My Baby was simply amazing. He turned it into a whole new song coming from a whole new perspective and it was phenominal IMHO. I even have more respect for Mariah Carey as a songwriter cause it really is a great pop song. Even if David Cook doesn't win, he'll be the Chris Daughtry of the season, no questions asked. David Cook DESERVES to be a star, seriously. To me, he's THAT good.

jthad1129 said:

Me too. Castro's voice seems to get more whiny to me each week. Sometimes it's hard to listen to him cause his voice is so grating. Plus, when is he going to get out of that Jack Johnson mode and be original? David A is a great singer, no doubt but I'm so tired of him singing all of these Adult Contempory songs already. He's 17 doing songs more suited for a 37 year old. Show me that you can sing a pop song that I can dance to. If he can't do that much, then I'm not going to buy his CD when it comes out. But I would buy a David Cook CD. He seems like someone who would be willing to take risks with his music while holding true to his foundation, which is rock. I can't wait to see what happens with him.
[Edited 4/15/08 19:44pm]

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

he is cute with his virgin white skin and puffy red lips, like a little angel . You know Ryan wants to jump him and hump him right there on the stage

728huey said:

That was a great review 728huey. I cosign with EVERYTHING you said.

Talent over popularity never wins David will be a success whatever happens

D. Cook is the real deal.
Arculetta is a 1 trick pony. He basically does the same TRACK every week.
Syesha gets no RESPECT from the judges or the voting public.

The rest? .....

I didn't see last night (it's on the DVR, fortunately), but David Archuleta did When You Believe? wtf? This is going to be his downfall... picking wack ass songs every other week.

Which is unfortunate, because when he picks the right song, he is unbeatable.

Cook just ensured his spot in the final two last night.

He deserves to win this thing . ...but so did Chris Daughtry

oops wrong David edit
[Edited 4/16/08 7:06am]

newpower99 said:

Oh, I'm a David Cook fan. But I was talking about Archuleta.

Raze said:

My bad ... I caught that after I posted..

I agree with you on David A.

great voice but needs to show he can do different type songs

newpower99 said:

for me, it's not even that. he just picks some really terrible songs, sometimes. or really boring ones. his takes on Imagine and the Long And Winding Road actually got me choked up.

I think the problem is he's letting someone else pick them for him, or he's too young to know a lot of really great, classic songs, and he's good enouh to be going for the knock-out numbers. His defense of "I love that song, it's got a great message" means nothing to me. Most songs with a great message are absolute shit.

David Cook sure is one of the better contestants in American Idol (all series).

jthad1129 said:

Well I don't blame Ryan! I want to jump David C too!

Raze said:

I think his father is picking all the songs. His father has a reputation of being a stage dad going back to when D.A was on Star Search in 2003 and if what I'm thinking is true with him picking those songs, that could ultimately be David A's downfall.
[Edited 4/16/08 7:24am]

purplecam said:

Here's a video of David Cook's performance:

D Cook is very good but what's up with the wig? Dude looks like he just rolled out of bed.

Syesha Mercado sings "Vanishing":



David Archuleta sings "When You Believe":

728huey said:

I watched and decided to give him another chance, but....really?! He's like a second-rate Nickelback/Creed (and they're terrible to begin with). I think I'm just not Idol's target audience.

MendesCity said:

It's all relative 2 the talent on the show.

MendesCity said:

He does.

I haven't watched this season at all. First time I haven't watched any episodes. I've seen a few clips from this guy and Not impressed. Certainly not bad, but I dunno. Does nothing for me. I still don't understand why his version of Billie Jean was so hyped since it wasn't his own take on it.

Here's Jason Castro singing "I Don't Wanna Cry":



Here's Carly Smithson singing "Without You":

RipHer2Shreds said:

I'm still trying to figure that out.