AI:Final Three

The top 3 is usually my favorite episode of all the Idol season. This year we're getting a bit gypped with only 2 songs instead of the customary 3 but it's still exciting to see these three guys go head to head.

Danny - The Goke kicks things off tonight with an obscure choice from Paula. The song worked well with his voice but I don't think it's anything anyone will remember past 8:30. His second song was a much better fit for his vocal style and made a much more lasting impression. He even managed to pull off his falsetto in the final note - something we all know didn't work last week. Nice of Simon to brush off the old vocal master class comment for this one.

Kris - I think the OneRepublic choice lacked a little imagination from Randy and Kara. Kris already kind of sounds like the singer so there wasn't really much of a stretch. Despite this I think he turned in a better performance than Danny and made a wise choice to not push the high register in the chorus. When Kris announced he was doing Kanye's Heartless for his second song my heart actually stopped for a second. It stopped again when he performed. This had to be THE boldest song choice in Idol history - brilliant!! The only thing I was left thinking was....do you think Kris watches Taking the Stage?

Adam - U2's One on American Idol will always remind me of Elliot Yamin and Mary J Blige's superb duet in the finale of season 5. This arrangement was probably one of my least favorite Adam remixes - the melody got lost and the key was a bit funky. Similarly Adam's vocals got lost early in the second song because he was getting drowned out by the backup singer. Anyone else find it interesting that he chose a song the judges recommended for Danny last week?

To be honest this top 3 episode didn't have as many wow moments as other seasons. Kris' rendition of Heartless was definitely the most memorable and I think, hope and pray it will be enough to get him into the finals to face off with Adam. The judges have really been pimping an Adam/Danny showdown the whole season and there's still a good chance that could happen but never underestimate the voting power of teenage (and 25 year old) girls.