A lot of ‘American Idol’ viewers tune in at the beginning of the season to see the horrendous auditions. Then, they find better things to do while Hollywood Week drones on. Now that ‘Idol’ is down to the top nine, it’s the perfect time to start devoting your Tuesday, Wednesday and occasional Thursday nights to the talent competition’s eighth season. Here are some of the front-runners to bring you up to speed. Top Three:

-Adam Lambert: With his punk-rock Jonas Brother looks, Lambert’s talent might be beyond the level of competition. Each week, he’s willing to take risks and modify his style to fit the episode’s theme – his version of Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring of Fire’ was sinister and seductive at the same time. His falsetto might be the highest of all the contestants, including the girls. During his Motown Hits performance, Lambert’s vulnerable rendition of ‘The Tracks of My Tears’ and unique look caused this ‘Idol’ fan to get the chills. It might be too early to call, but Lambert’s name tops the favorite’s list — don’t count him out for the ‘Idol’ title.

-Danny Gokey: It’s obvious that Gokey has a chance to win, but he’s been slipping the past few weeks. Whether it’s choosing the right song or singing at the correct tempo, Gokey has to get it together if he wants to be the next ‘Idol.’ The talent is obviously there – it was clear during his Kansas City audition, when he performed ‘I Heard it Through the Grapevine.’ His dance moves admittedly need some work, but his vocals are spot on. And while Gokey’s an unlikely ‘Idol’ with his spiky hair and glasses, he’s also an entertainer and the underdog with undeniable talent.

-Kris Allen: Each time he sang, Allen killed it. He performed Michael Jackson with an acoustic guitar and plaid shirt, rearranged a Garth Brooks mega-hit and sang ‘How Sweet It Is’ with a modern flair. Though he’s not the most confident contestant, his unpredictability and willingness to constantly change his sound will put him in the top three. If he continues to keep delivering quality performances, he’s definitely a contender to win. Plus, he’s just adorable.

Destined to be stars:

-Lil Rounds: The girl can’t sing country, but at least she’s trying to embrace the format of the competition. Rounds’ R&B powerhouse vocals, comparable to those of ‘Idol’ finalist Jennifer Hudson, bring the house down each time she takes the stage. Last week, her performance of ‘Heatwave’ was jam-packed with the big notes Rounds is known for, but the song couldn’t handle it. Even worse, Rounds herself lacks mass appeal. Lil Rounds isn’t going to win the competition, but who knows what the post-‘Idol’ life has in store. A hit record? A Grammy?

-Matt Giraud: Judge Randy Jackson said Giraud’s sound was halfway between Michael Buble’s and Justin Timberlake’s. With praise like that, it’s not hard to see Giraud having a bright future in the music industry. His bluesy voice is unlike any other in this year’s crop, and every week he showcases his talent on the stage and on the piano. It takes a real artist to own a stage while sitting at a piano, but Giraud does it week after week. Recently, he’s been coming out of his shell and his confidence radiates. Despite his talent, Giraud found himself in the bottom two. It’s far too early for someone of his caliber to leave so soon.

-Allison Iraheta: She’s only 16, but Iraheta’s voice is more mature than anyone else in the competition. In fact, judge Simon Cowell said she was the best ‘by a clear mile.’ Iraheta, with her fire-engine-red hair, knows who she is, what works and what doesn’t. She sang ‘Papa Was a Rolling Stone,’ a song that wouldn’t suit any other contestant. She’s got a chance to win, but Iraheta doesn’t need the ‘Idol’ stamp of approval to make her a star.

kmimamur@syr.edu

Published on March 29, 2009 at 12:00 pm