Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Last week, several American Idol finalists fell back on classics they’d performed for years.

This week, they’ll have to be more current. The theme will demand it.

The Top 10 on American Idol will take on current hits Wednesday night. (FOX Photo)

Idol has decreed that this week’s theme will be Top 10 songs from 2010 to present, which just might be the most current theme in the show’s history.

And, on Thursday, if you’re wondering, we’ll be treated to a performance of Jennifer Lopez’s new single “I Luh Ya Papi” and a song called “Wild” by a pop-rock band called Royal Teeth.

Now, as for the rankings, last week’s results indicated that we might be in for a far more unpredictable year on Idol.

Three singers — Majesty Rose, Sam Woolf and Ben Briley — landed in the bottom three for the first time, with Ben going home. To hear what he had to say about his Idol ouster, head here.

Until they landed in those not-so-comfortable stools, Majesty and Sam had pretty much gotten front-runner treatment from the show.

So, since I clearly have no idea what voters are thinking … and since I find some of the judges’ critiques baffling, I’ve decided to base this week’s rankings on two simple ingredients: how the contestants have done in the live shows and who I’m looking forward to hearing again.

As a result, there’s been quite a shakeup.

1. Caleb Johnson (2): Through four weeks, if you’re looking for an MVP of Idol performances, this is your guy. He tackled Adele, for crying out loud. How’s that for a change of pace. Personally, I hope rocker Caleb returns this week.

2. Jena Irene (Asciutto) (6): If anyone’s paying attention, this young lady has delivered the best Idol performance in two of the four weeks since the show went live. That’s worth celebrating, judges. You’d better keep her around awhile.

3. Jess Meuse (5): It was hardly her fault that the band screwed up on “The Sound of Silence.” Until they started playing, Jess was on her way to creating an Idol moment. Idol has her looking like a star; the band could at least help her sound like one.

4. Sam Woolf (1): I’m not fond of mid-show results on performance night. But the most telling revelation last week was that Sam was only fourth among six singers with female voters during the first half of the show. He’s the guy the young gals are supposed to go ga-ga over.

5. C.J. Harris (8): Last week’s cover of “Can’t You See” was a big step in the right direction. Unlike the judges, I’d like to see C.J. take a couple more steps, or at least repeat that one, before I grant him front-runner status.

6. Majesty Rose (3): Judges look for a trajectory from the Idol finalists. Majesty’s trajectory is heading in the wrong direction. If there was any justice in the world of Idol results, she would have gone home last week instead of Ben Briley.

7. Alex Preston (7): Having a distinctive vocal style is good. Having a distinct and pleasing vocal sound is better. So far, Alex has the first part down pat. But I wasn’t enthralled by his version of “Falling Slowly,” a song done better at least twice on Idol.

8. Dexter Roberts (9): The judges were right on the mark with their critique of Dexter’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” He did an adequate job with the song. He should have done more. That makes three straight forgettable performances from Dexter.

9. Malaya Watson (10): Last week provided more evidence that Malaya was plucked from obscurity at least one year too soon. She was doing well during the first half of “I am Changing,” then got caught up in the crowd reaction and started screaming at us again.

10. M.K. Nobilette (11): Give me Brianna Oakley. Give me Austin Wolf. Give me Kenzie Hall. I know; that won’t happen. So just give me a Top 9 that does not include M.K. Nobilette. Last week was an improvement, but not as good as the judges made out.