This week’s top 13 guys episode will go down as one of the worst installments in American Idol history. Most of these guys are just bad, Sanjaya bad. And to make it even more squirm inducing, the judges are just fools. I see smart viewers gasping at the television all season long. The problem with the judges this year is they are treating these contestants like children, and they are the proud parents who are just happy their wonderful kids decided to put themselves out there and sing. Well, guess what? Putting yourself out there as a performer is a given and shouldn’t be applauded. Instead of giving any of them constructive criticism, they decided to gush stupidly in awe of a bunch of guys who don’t deserve any gushing. We’re in for a long season. That said, here’s my rank from worst to best.
13. Eben Franckewitz
Poor Eben, the kid thinks he’s actually talented. I would have no problem with him believing this in the comfort of his own home. But unfortunately he’s the exact type of contestant we haven’t had on here in a while: the piss poor awful teenager that young girls are going to just adore. If he makes it through to the top 13, it will be an absolute new low for American Idol. I had to mute the TV.
12. Heejun Han
Admittedly, this guy caught my attention early on. But his massively sub par rendition of Angels did nothing for his voice or personality.
11. Adam Brock
To say I despise this man is an understatement. He’s the single worst artist of the bunch. He butchers every song he makes an attempt at singing. The guy thinks having a decent voice is enough. It isn’t. And if any of these judges actually had ears, they would tell him he needs to find melody and finesse a song, not just stand there like a loaf of bread.
10. Chase Likens
A second rate Scotty McCreery, and not nearly as good. Poor attempt at a country song and a country artist. This guy will fade back into obscurity as quickly as every other top 24 contestant who never went anywhere.
9. Colton Dixon
Admirable attempt at a Paramore song, a group I’m pretty sure we’ve never heard on here before. But his execution was horrendous. I almost wanted him to fall off that piano.
8. Deandre Brackensick
This guy’s performance during group rounds was likely one of the best group performances ever on this show. And his cover of This Woman’s Work was beautiful and controlled. We only saw glimpses of this tonight. He was decent, but if this was the first time I saw him, I’d be majorly disappointed.
7. Jermaine Jones
The guy sounded okay. But he’s a one trick pony and there was absolutely no reason to bring him back. The whole thing felt like a desperate attempt to cause some drama and blatantly copy The X Factor.
6. Reed Grimm
To be perfectly honest, I can’t stand this guy’s mannerisms. He’s overly emotional and sentimental and doesn’t seem to have any awareness of himself, which is a complete turnoff. But he does have major potential, and when he’s not acting stupid on stage and scatting, there’s a solid voice in there. It just needs to come out more.
5. Aaron Marcellus
I don’t believe for one second this guy is actually going to make the top 13. However, that’s not a reflection of his performance, it’s a reflection of the fact that Idol has shown us very little of him, and he’s slightly forgettable. His vocals were good and out of all these people, he has a very clear and distinct point of view. He feels like a real artist, which is much appreciated in this group.
4. Joshua Ledet
The guy’s voice is the best of the bunch. He just needs to control it more and not turn into another Jacob Lusk. If he can manage to become an artist and differentiate himself from Gospel, he’ll have major potential. I’m curious to see him come out of his comfort zone. Until he does that, he’ll likely fall to the bottom. But that voice should get him through.
3. Creighton Fraker
I completely understood what he was trying to do with True Colors. That is, he was telling the country he’s gay, but not in so many words. The guy has a solid yet very interesting voice. I think he’ll bring a much needed dose of personality to this group of middle America duds. He’s the anti Adam Brock.
2. Jeremy Rosado
This guy just has it. I love his voice and at only 19, he knows what most of these other guys have yet to figure out. That it’s not just about having a good voice, it’s about doing something with a song and doing it extremely well. This guy has everything going for him right now.
1. Philip Philips
Despite his indulgently incestuous name, the guy has the clearest perspective of the group. Dare I say it, but Randy got it right when he told Philip he was happy to have a semi indie Dave Matthews-ish guy on the show. I’m happy too. The guy has a solid voice, but most importantly, his voice, like his personality, are extremely unique.
Predictions for the top 5.
1. Philip Philips
2. Jeremy Rosado
3. Joshua Ledet
4. Deandre Brackensick
5. Adam Brock
