American Idol: Rating the Top 12

Tonight starts the first co-ed round of finals on American Idol, and it seems that the top 12 is pretty solid this year.

Not a Sanjaya to be found, though I was sincerely hoping Danny Noriega would make it and provide some much needed comic relief.

Thoughts on the top contenders:

Amanda Overmyer: The “rocker” nurse has potential, though I’m doubtful her Janis Joplin growl will carry her too far if she doesn’t show a little damn emotion. Last week, when she was on stage, there was nothing there.

Chikezie: Chikezie doesn’t stand out much for me, possibly because I was rooting for Danny Noriega to stick around (since he at least has a personality). Chikezie seems likable, but forgettable, so I doubt he’ll be around much longer.

David Hernandez: Oooh, the controversy. Hernandez’s stripper past may not have kept him out of the top 12, but I was hoping that his wannabe Enrique Iglesias voice would. I’m underwhelmed by this guy.

Michael Johns: He has the hot accent angle working for him, so it will probably score him some major points. He’s not too bad, but there are plenty better in the competition.

David Cook: This guy really impressed me last week with his take on Lionel Richie's "Hello." Any contestant who can spin a mediocre 80's song into an edgier version I’ll shell out 99 cents for on iTunes is a top contender in my book (I’m thinking of you and “You Give Love a Bad Name” Blake Lewis!).

Brook White: Homegirl also revamped an 80’s classic last week, and again I give props. “Love is a Battlefield” may not have needed it as much as “Hello,” but anyone who doesn’t simply take the karaoke route in this competition is preferable to one more person singing a Whitney Houston song.

Ramiele Malubay: Malubay may be a little too young and cutesy for me. I can’t remember what she sang last week, and that’s not good since several others really stood out. She has a cute haircut…

Carly Smithson: The competitions female darling did what I thought was a slightly pitchy rendition of Cydndi Lauper’s “I Drove All Night” last week, but she clearly has a great set of pipes. Smithson is one of the performers who is most likely to make it to at least the top 5.

David Archuleta: The male Carly Smithson in terms of buzz. Archuleta is absolutely adorable, and his age combined with his vocal prowess is incredible. I’m sure he’ll go top 5 as well, as long as he takes Simon’s advice and tries to find some upbeat songs to mix in with his anthems about raising poverty awareness.

Syesha Mercado: Syesha committed a sin that EW’s Michael Slezak complains about all the time: she sang a Whitney Houston song (and tried to sound just like Whitney). Slezak is 100% right about this one. DON’T SING WHITNEY SONGS!!!

Kristy Lee Cook: She’s this year’s resident country girl (with a name to back it up). I’m never too pleased with the country singers on idol making pop songs twangy. I’m never that happy about it when country singers do the same on their own records (I’m talking to you, Alabama!). Last week it was Journey’s “Faithfully.” This week? Who knows.

Jason Castro: He proved that he has a beautiful voice last week when he sang “Hallelujiah” (originally sung by Leonard Cohen, subsequently covered by Jeff Buckley and countless others). The dreads are fun, he seems lovable and goofy. I’ll be very interested in seeing how far Castro can carry his hippie-dippy charm. I hope at least to the top 5.