Tuesday, May 13, 2008

final 3: david cook


Choice adjectives: Rocker, unique, surprising

Why he could win: After a relatively forgettable showing in the show's early stages, Cook upped his game, turning out crowd-pleasing rock covers of tunes as eclectic as "Billie Jean" and "Always Be My Baby." Cook, who's seen many parallels to former AI finalist Chris Daughtry, is a favorite among viewers who think a rocker is long overdue for the title. And though it's been downplayed, there's his brother's battle with cancer -- a factor that could make his victory more emotionally poignant.

Why he couldn't: Some viewers still think he has an ego problem, and opinions over the strength of his vocals are divided. There's some doubt that success with pop-turned-rock covers wouldn't translate to longevity in the recording industry. Also, there's a belief that if Cook won, the AI brand would stifle his creativity -- so some longtime fans might actually restrain from voting if he made it to the finals.

Scandal? Fans remain divided over how artistically creative Cook really is, especially given the fact that his "innovative" renditions of "Billie Jean" and "Eleanor Rigby" were merely covers of covers.

Advice for tonight: Turn out another surprising -- and original -- cover. Cook's performances last week, especially "Hungry Like The Wolf" arguably put him in the same realm as every other rocker who has appeared on the talent competition.

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