RedEye asked Chicago-based singer/songwriter Matthew Santos to rate the performances of Adam Lambert and Kris Allen on a scale of 1 to 10, lowest to highest). He used three criteria to judge them:
– Originality of interpretation (What is he bringing new to the song?)
– Vocal presence (technical ability and delivery)
– Heart (How did it make Santos feel overall?)
(See microfilm for complete graphic.)
MARCH 10
Kris Allen
Song: “Remember The Time”
Santos: I liked how he let loose a little bit.
Adam Lambert
Song: “Black or White”
Santos: Not feeling it.
Total votes: 33M
Eliminated:
Jasmine Murray and Jorge Nunez
MARCH 17
Adam Lambert
Song: “Ring of Fire”
Santos: Very unexpected interpretation, good delivery, liked the Buckley nod
Kris Allen
Song: “To Make You Feel My Love”
Santos: Good, but very safe performance.
Total votes: 31M
Eliminated:
Alexis Grace
MARCH 24
Adam Lambert
Song: “Tracks of my Tears”
Santos: Glad he never went to “full wail” for once and kept to a steady level.
Kris Allen
Song: “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”
Santos: Good, but not great. Lukewarm.
Total votes: 36M
Eliminated:
Michael Sarver
MARCH 31
Adam Lambert
Song: “Play That Funky Music”
Santos: Good energy, like the interpretation.
Kris Allen
Song: “Ain’t No Sunshine”
Total votes: 36M
Eliminated:
Megan Joy Corkrey
APRIL 7
Adam Lambert
Song: “Mad World”
Kris Allen
Song: “All She Wants To Do Is Dance”
Santos: Didn’t quite feel convinced with the interpretation.
Total votes: 34M
Eliminated:
Scott MacIntyre
APRIL 14
Adam Lambert
Song: “Born to Be Wild”
Kris Allen
Song: “Falling Slowly” Santos: Great song choice, fits voice well.
Total votes: 36M
Saved:
Matt Giraud
APRIL 21
Kris Allen
Song: “She Works Hard For The Money”
Adam Lambert
Song: “If I Can’t Have You”
Santos: A bit too thick in beginning.
Total votes: 45M
Eliminated:
Anoop Desai and Lil Rounds
APRIL 28
Adam Lambert
Song: “Feeling Good”
Santos: Really liked this studio version, very dynamic and emotive. Flowed well in and out of parts.
Kris Allen
Song: “The Way You Look Tonight”
Santos: Well sung, but again, don’t feel like he’s adding much freshness to the song. Great voice, but upon first listen, it’s nothing we haven’t heard before.
Total votes: 47M
Eliminated:
Matt Giraud
MAY 5
Kris Allen
Song: “Come Together”
Adam Lambert
Song: “Whole Lotta Love”
Santos: Not much new to the song, didn’t feel fresh.
Total votes: 64M
Eliminated:
Allison Iraheta
MAY 12 ( FIRST SONG )
Adam Lambert
Song: “One”
Santos: Shows his dynamic versatility and puts heart into the words.
Kris Allen
Song: “Apologize”
Santos: Didn’t feel like he added anything new to the song. Vocals were tight, but uninspiring,
Total votes: 88M
Eliminated:
Danny Gokey
MAY 12 ( SECOND SONG )
Kris Allen
Song: “Heartless”
Adam Lambert
Song: “Crying”
Santos: Passionate, but maybe too much ’80s wailing.
73% Lambert
26% Allen
1% other
IDOL POLLING
We asked visitors to the Show Patrol TV blog this question: Which singer has the better chance of long-term success after “American Idol?”
Matthew Santos’ thoughts on the ‘Idol’ finalists
ON LAMBERT:
– Very vocally proficient and dynamic
– Kind of over-the-top rock ‘n’ roller
– Uses same vocal nuances/devices in almost every song
– Passionate and makes the audience feel the energy of the songs
ON ALLEN:
– Pleasant voice, not enough risks.
– He lacks depth of unique personality.
– I liked his song choices but feel they could have been interpreted in more challenging ways for him.
‘IDOL’ BY THE NUMBERS
100,000+
Number of people who auditioned
25 million
Average number of viewers per episode
450 million+
Number of votes cast since March 10
1
Number of contestants judges saved (Giraud on April 14)
16
Age of Iraheta, the youngest finalist, when season began
28
Age of Gokey, the oldest, when season began
