The eliminations that got us to the top 5 have been so capricious that predictions are a fool's errand. Nonetheless, with all due consideration to dark-horse Hollie and almost-eliminated Jessica, Idol Meter's current three favorites would appear to be Joshua, Skylar and Phillip — if they don't slip up. May we suggest:
Joshua Ledet should keep it varied
Emphasize: Joshua soared to the top of the Idol Meter this past week with an ideal combination of rollicking retro-soul and gorgeously restrained balladry.
As long as he stays with one slow song that shows off his full vocal repertoire, he can afford to experiment a little with the other number.
Avoid: Sounding the same. With multiple songs, two soul ballads would be deadly. Cutting out his ever-present choir backing would also be refreshing.
Skylar Laine should keep it kind of country
Emphasize: Skylar fell to fifth in the standings after singing a Queen hybrid rock/show tune and a straight country number.
That suggests a middle course — everything she does should have a pronounced country flavor (pronounced with a twang, in other words) but shouldn't be pure country. Themes such as tonight's British music don't allow for much hard-core country in any case.
Avoid: Songs that take her far away from her core competency. No Mariah, no hip-hop and, please, no more Queen.
Phillip Phillips should keep it consistent
Emphasize: What he's been doing. By all rights, voters should be weary of Phillip's plodding blues-rock and limited vocals, but there has been little sign of viewer exhaustion.
So he should follow that familiar path, especially since a promising experiment with Dave Matthews' The Stone earned him much undeserved criticism.
Avoid: Singing without his guitar. Every time he has tried it, it has been disastrous (In the Midnight Hour, Fat Bottomed Girls).
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