Idol Chatter & Voice Views

 

We’re four weeks into the American Idol finals, and we’ve seen no signal that fans’ voting preferences have changed from recent seasons.

Five contestants have been sent packing; four have been female singers.

The only male contestant to be eliminated — or even to find himself to be in danger of elimination — was 16-year-old Lee Jean.

And sorry Lee Jean fans, but the he had no business in the finals to begin with, at least not considering the other talented singers the Idol judges passed over in order to put him there.

All of which raises an intriguing question: Clearly, La’Porsha Renae sings and performs like the front-runner every week. But is she the front-runner in the minds of Idol voters?

Remember, since Season 6 we’ve had a grand total of one female winner on American Idol — Candice Glover in Season 12.

Just something to think about as we head into Top 5 week, when the themes will be classic rock and the music of Sia.

Oh, and no more judges’ saves. Idol has promised.

Now, this week’s rankings:

1. La’Porsha Renae (1): All the ingredients were there: the back-story of an abusive relationship, a song called “No More Drama,” La’Porsha’s passion and brilliant vocals. But she fell just short of creating an Idol moment. That said, she came close. She came close both times she stepped on stage Thursday night. And that’s not something any other member of the Top 5 can come close to saying.

2. Trent Harmon (3): For the second straight week, he delivered my favorite vocal that didn’t come from La’Porsha when he put a soulful spin on “Simple Man.” Take away that misguided cover of “Counting Stars” last week, and Trent’s been on quite a roll. I also loved the humility he showed when questioned by Keith last week. “I don’t know what I’m doing half the time I’m up here,” he said, smiling. “I just try to do the best I can, you know?” It’s been very good lately.

3. MacKenzie Bourg (5): He deserves credit for his risk-taking with that drastic reworking of “Billie Jean.” But while David Cook’s Season 7 cover was pure magic (please listen to it, Jennifer Lopez), MacKenzie’s wasn’t a version I’m eager to hear again. I’m still waiting for MacKenzie magic and hoping Idol unveils a theme that allows the Voice veteran to dip back into his own songbook and perform another original.

4. Sonika Vaid (4): Is anyone guiding Sonika’s Idol journey? I’m just wondering because she was so brilliant on “Bring Me to Life,” but hasn’t rocked out since. And she performed “Clarity” last week, the song Idol mentor Scott Borcheta steered Tristan McIntosh away from a couple weeks back. That song turned out to be Sonika’s weakest performance since the finals began, hardly the rallying cry she needed. It would be a major shock if she isn’t eliminated this week.

5. Dalton Rapattoni (2): I’ve had him ranked much higher because I believe that’s where he’s going to finish. I still do. Just see the intro to this blog. But I can’t justify keeping him at number two after last week’s woeful vocals on “Numb” and “Sound of Silence.” Let’s put it this way, if Dalton sang that way during a blind audition on The Voice — with the coaches’ backs turned to his blue eyes and his smudged eyeliner — I very much doubt a single chair would turn.