AI7: Top 12 Guys

The Top 12 Guys kicked off the semifinals of American Idol 7... and let's just say, I likely won't be heading over to iTunes to buy any of these performances come Thursday.   The powers-that-be decided it would now be fun to "theme" the semis, which I don't necessarily agree with... granted there is always some kind of restrictions (able to get copyright clearance/permission), but it seems at this stage they should sing songs they are comfortable with vs. music that pre-dates all of them!

It was all a bit too uninspiring (and perhaps I'm getting too old) to do a full run-down of each performance, so taking a cue from Southwest Airlines, I'll put the guys in Boarding Group A, B, and C.

Here's my top group... Boarding Group A:

David A ("Shop Around")
Robbie ("One")
Michael ("Light My Fire)
Jason ("What A Day For A Daydream")

Again, not much of a "wow" factor.  No doubt that David A will stick around for a long time as long as the "aw shucks" act doesn't start wearing thin... Robbie and Jason seemed to have that "authentic" thing going on, though it could just be that their hair makes them memorable... and Michael is one of those contestants dusting up some controversy this year thanks to having previously been signed to a record contract, so no surprise when Simon said he would make a great front-man for a band... he already did!

Boarding Group B
Danny ("Jailhouse Rock")
David H ("In the Midnight Hour")
David C ("Happy Together")
Chikezie ("I Love You More Today Than Yesterday")

A bit of an odd grouping here.  I was a bit disappointed with everyone here in this group, except our hometown guy David H... though I agree with the judges that things went downhill after the gospel-fused start of his song.  David C (there are 3 Davids!) just didn't do all that much for me, but the vocals were far better than anyone in the last group.  Chikezie's winning personality edged him into this grouping, but the vocals were a bit shaky and I have to agree with Simon that it was a bit Chik-cheesy.  And what can we say about Danny?!?!  I give him a bump because of his past vocals, but it was not a great song choice to show off the vocals... I would have preferred him to do "Suspicious Minds"... but the kid's got spunk... and unlike Mr. Grant, I like spunk.  (Though that sounds a bit dirty now that I see it on the screen).

Final Boarding Group
Colton ("Suspicious Minds")
Luke ("Everybody's Talkin'")
Jason ("Moon River")
Garrett ("Breaking Up Is Hard To Do")

While Colton gave the least coma-inducing performance of this bunch, it was a pretty karaoke take on the King... good vocals, but not enough chops to contend in the long run... so he's pretty much wasting my time.  The rest of the guys fall victim to a common Idol sand trap... it is nearly impossible to make an impact with a ballad... and it is made even worse that this was the first time each guy was getting any kind of screen time.