by Gina Scarpa

It’s down to the final two on American Idol.  In one corner we have Kris Allen, the sweet (and, often times, original) guitar player and in the other, there’s Adam Lambert, the diva with an extraordinary set of pipes.  I’d like to start off by thanking Idol for keeping tonight’s performance episode down to one hour.  The episode is fill with three performances each from the final two contestants and, at this point, it seems like it really could still be anybody’s game.  Here’s a look at tonight’s performances:

Adam Lambert - “Mad World” by Tears For Fears
Well, this is an Adam Lambert I prefer, to be quite honest with you.  Yes, the fact that he can sing in the stratosphere is impressive but he’s been showing off every week since day one.  I like a more reserved, emotional side of Adam because the guy can sing and the guy can perform.  It’s no surprise that the judges love that he chose to perform this song again as well as his presentation of it.  Well

done.

Kris Allen - “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers
There are certainly RealityWanted readers who think that I don’t like Adam but that’s just not so.  While I recognize his talent, Kris is the guy I’d pay money to see in concert or whose album I would buy.  You have to look at my taste in music though - two of my favorite artists are Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson.  You can see how Kris fits right in with my taste.  I love this performance.  He may not carry the bravado that Adam does but he’s a great technical singer.  Randy says it’s one of the best performances ever and even Kara gets on board.  Oh my God, Kara said something nice to Kris.  Everybody… remember this moment.

Adam Lambert - “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
Nice choice, Simon Fuller.  The song suits Adam perfectly and he grabs my attention from the minute he wails: “I was borrrrnnnn on a river…”  Of course, once we get towards the end of the song, he screams his face off.  You didn’t think he’d get through two songs without wailing, did you?  It’s an amazing vocal performance and he is definitely the more talented singer.  I think, in this finale, it’s just going to come down to personal taste and preference and nothing else.  Simon can’t seem to predict who’s winning this thing… and neither can anybody else!

Kris Allen - “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye
I absolutely love this song!  So far, this is shaping up to be the best Idol finale ever.  Kris strips the arrangement down, playing his acoustic guitar and putting his own spin on it.  Last week, I said I’d download his rendition of “Heartless” and I’d dot he same for this song as well.  I had a feeling that the judges were going to come down on him a bit and they did, with Randy calling it small and Simon compares to friends jamming in a college dorm room.  Don’t care, still liked it.  Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Cowell.

Adam Lambert - “No Boundaries”
In the past, Idol has had a songwriting contest for the finale but I’m glad they let Kara write this one.  Let’s let a professional handle it, shall we?  To be honest, I’m never really a fan of the “we shall overcome” finale song but it suits Adam’s voice fine enough.  It’s my least favorite performance of his of the night but it’s not his fault.  Simon feels certain that they’ve found a bona fide star.  I’ll give him that.  Adam’s going to have a career whether he wins or not tomorrow night.

Kris Allen - “No Boundaries”
Now, here’s what I hate about this thing they do in the finale where they have the two contestants sing the same song.  It’s always catered to one person over the other and this song is way more up Adam’s alley.  Maybe even Kris knows it’s not for him as he seems unfocused and forgets the words during the first chorus.  I don’t care, Idol.  You can’t try to hand it over to Adam because of a song as stupid as “No Boundaries”.  I’m a fan of Kris and, even though I’d like to see him win here, I don’t think he will.  Like Adam, though, this guy’s going to have a career no matter what.  I think it’s a win-win situation for all.

Be sure to tune tomorrow night to find out who wins American Idol on the live finale, beginning at 8pm ET on FOX.

(Image courtesy of FOX)

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