American Idol Top 4: David Cook, David Archuleta, Jason Castro & Syesha Mercado

The American Idol Top 4 last week was David Cook, David Archuleta, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado. David Cook wasn’t quite as dazzling during Neil Diamond week as he was covering Andrew Lloyd Webber and Mariah Carey tracks, but did more than enough to hold the top spot for seventh consecutive week. In fact, aside from his rendition of Our Lady Peace’s “Innocent,” Rocker David has used inventive arrangements and rock-solid vocals to make his trip to the finals look like a foregone conclusion. At this point, only voter complacency can stop his march to the Nokia.

David Archuleta is looking good and whether you buy Randy’s “molten hot!” critiques, or feel lukewarm about the way he gravitates to “big issues” songs like “America,” “Imagine,” and “Another Day in Paradise,” the younger half of the David Duo keeps marching forward – and has yet to find himself in the bottom 2. Still, while he doesn’t miss many notes with his big, run-tasic voice, his occasional penchant for missing lyrics (“We Can Work It Out,” “Think of Me”) appears to be his one possible Achilles’ heel.

Jason Castro is in the odd position of dueling not only three fierce rivals, but also a production that keeps throwing obstacles in his path. How else to describe idol producers’ lack of apology after Paula critiqued the dreadlocked dude’s “September Mom” before he’d even performed it? Needs to channel his frustration into giving a show-stopping effect during Hall of Fame week; if he lets The Man get him down, his inevitable ouster will rob the next two Wednesdays of any suspense.

Syesha Mercado has virtually no chance to win the whole enchilada, but it hasn’t stopped the perennial bottom-two dweller from performing like she’s “in it to win it”.

Source: Read