MK chooses his Top 10 IDOL Picks!

After last years Talent-less year on American Idol, I was relieved of the the array of Talent this year. The following my TOP 5 Men and Top 5 Women who deserve the chance. Final Results revealed Tonight!

Here’s my Top 5  Men:

1.   James Durbin (Judas Priest, “You Got Another Thing Comin’”): One of the few honest-to-goodness heavy metal contestants, Durbin is a certified crowd-pleaser with a world-class yelp that wouldn’t be out of place in a reformed Led Zeppelin. Jimmy Page, take note. But can he garner enough of the popular vote to move on? He got Tyler’s vote. “That was crazy good. I love it that you’re over-the-top,” said the rocker. “It’s insane. You do it so naturally,” gushed J-Lo. “That’s how you do it,” said the big Dawg Could he be the Next Adam Lambert?

2. Stefano Langone (Bruno Mars, “Just the Way You Are”): This pre-show favorite did himself no favors by hitting a high note that caused the judges to wince, but otherwise kept himself in the running. The judges commented: Tyler: “I can always tell you’re on the money when the vein in your forehead pops.” J. Lo: “You’re a beast up there.” Randy: “That’s how you do it.” Could he be the Next Blake Lewis?

3. Brett Loewenstern (The Doors, “Light My Fire”): Our favorite red apple in a pile of green gets points for a nervy cover choice, which seemed to captivate the judges. There’s no question Loewenstern is a unique presence, not unlike “Glee’s” Chris Colfer, and, like Adam Lambert, he will be a subject of adulation or ridicule. He did prompt J. Lo’s best comment to date with his flying mane. “You brought it home. You were on fire,” said Tyler. “That was more hair-tossing than me and Beyonce put together in the past 10 years,” cracked J-Lo. “You’re different and bold,” said Randy.

4. Jacob Lusk (Luther Vandross, “A House is Not a Home”): By far the best pure singer of the group, it remains to be seen whether his effeminate style will turn off voters, or engage them, a la Adam Lambert. Tyler liked it. “I don’t know where you get it from but I’m going to bathe in it,” he said. “Luther Vandross is my favorite singer and this is what’s so exciting about this show. He’s gone, but we have you,” said J-Lo. “Those crazy, crystal-clear notes. We’re lucky to have you here,” said Randy.

5. Scotty McCreery (James Michael Thomas, “Letters from Home”): I could see this smooth, 17-year-old aw-shucks cowboy with the basso profundo hosting his own network TV show some day, like Jimmy Dean meets Travis Tritt. He’s the real dark horse in the group, the first possible male country singer with a shot to win it all. From the shrieks of the girls in the crowd, McCreery seems like a ladies’ fave, which could serve him well when the public weighs in. “There are some people born to do something. You’re born to sing country music,” said J-Lo. “I love the lowness in your voice,” said Randy. “You’re going to be getting a lot of letters from home real soon,” added Tyler.

MK's Top 5 Women:

1. Lauren Turner (Etta James, “Seven Day Fool”): This housekeeper from Louisiana had the temerity (and chops) to cover Etta James, proving not only does she belong, but she could make some noise. Randy compared her to Amy Winehouse meets Florence + the Machine, while Tyler said she was “Lauren Turner meets Lauren Turner… Spectacular. End of the song was upstairs… a perfect full complete sentence.” J. Lo complained that “physically, you’re holding back… That would have put you over the top. Give it to me.” The New Bette Midler?

2. Naime Adedapo (“Summertime”): The Milwaukee Summerfest janitor and single mother has the most inspiring back story and a way of channeling Billie Holiday that evokes all sorts of flower metaphors from the judges, but she did justice to the “Porgy & Bess” classic, even if she didn’t quite put herself in the upper echelon. She did inspire the night’s first audience standing o, while J. Lo pointed out, “You’re like an exotic flower in a rose garden,” though Randy felt it was “a little bit like a lounge singer,” comparing it unfavorably to a version of the song by yet another “AI” champ, Fantasia several years ago. The Big Dawg seemed to use his status as the panel’s longest-termed member to dip back into his memory bank several times during the episode. Tyler compared her to “early Ella Fitzgerald,” saying “it’s a new old-timey thing that we could use right now.”


3. Thia Megia (Irene Cara, “Out Here on My Own”): With a supportive Asian-American community, this diminutive teenager with the big voice has a great shot at becoming the youngest American Idol winner ever. She paced herself with a rather quiet take on this song, but the lyrics fit the situation and had the judges gushing. “I wonder/Where I’ve been/Do I fit in?” There was no question about that. “I can’t believe you’re 15,” marveled Tyler. “This is a touch choice, but you’re making it easy for me right now.” J Lo marveled at the youngster’s ability “to come out here, stand still and just captivate every single person in the room.” Even Randy was won over by the quality of the tone, and how it reminded him from the beginning of a young Michael Jackson. “This what hot singing is all about. It doesn’t matter what age you are.”
4. Karen Rodriguez (Mariah Carey’s “Hero”): Don’t underestimate this bilingual charmer, who combined English and Spanish lyrics in her performance, which delited both Lopez and Randy. “That says it all,” blurted J. Lo, pointing to the goose bumps on her arm. I love that you showed your true flavor.” “Definitely a one-of-a-kind singer,” said Tyler. “You should get together with Jacob Lusk for a duet on that one.” Don’t underestimate her Latin base when it comes to voting.


5. Lauren Alaina (Reba McEntire’s “Turn on the Radio”): The pre-game favorite to win it all gave a strong, if not overwhelming performance, that was definitely reminiscent of first season winner Kelly Clarkson, a comparison also noted by Randy, who said she has the country vibe of another “AI” champ in Carrie Underwood. “You have a natural talent,” he said. “I don’t believe you know how good you can be.?” Said Tyler: “Just because you can sing into the stratosphere doesn’t mean you should do it every time. You didn’t here and I missed it, but you still kill me. Your voice goes from here to there and they haven’t seen the best of you yet.” J. Lo gushed, “You look so beautiful. You don’t even have to try. It’s just amazing what a natural you are.”