American Idol 11: Top 2

Well, just like any other Finale Performance Night since Season 9, this was yet again a bit lackluster, underwhelming, rushed and uneventful. Both Jessica and Phillip delivered decently, but I expected something more than just decent. Heck, this is the Finale and for a duo with "musical artist" and "big ole voice", this should've been more interesting than usual.

Maybe the biggest problem was the fact that the song choices were excruciatingly disappointing. Sure, there were good moments for both finalists, but they could've done better given good materials for them to work on. Simon Fuller's song choices sucked, the encores were marginally better, and yes, the coronation songs were ok.

Anyway, without further nonsense, I'll get to the rankings..

DISCLAIMER: I am no expert, but this is my opinion - to each his own - and yours will be in the comments below! Haha.

BY ROUNDS

ROUND 1: Simon Fuller's Choice

Jessica Sanchez

I Have Nothing
Dear Simon Fuller, if you want relevant artists to come out of your show, don't give them these old overdone songs! Ugh. At this stage, another power ballad was NOT what Jessica needs in the FINALE. Why this song? It's her third Whitney song of the season and Shannon Magrane performed this already during the Whitney Houston/Stevie Wonder Week. Good thing, her vocals were near-flawless other than a misplaced growl in the beginning. Her version maybe very similar to the original, but with a song as popular as this one, there's NO WAY she can make the song her own. Do you know what I mean? Sigh. 7.5/10

Phillip Phillips

Stand By Me
.. and just like what I complained with Simon Fuller's song choice for Jessica, this was also not the best song choice for Phillip. True, Stand By Me is a beautifully written song that can move me to tears with the right singer, but he is NOT that singer. He, yet again, mangled the melody to suit his limited range and the overall performance was kind of dull. On paper, he should have done better with this song, but it fell a little flat vocally and somehow lacked emotion and energy. 7/10

VERDICT: Though I hated both songs - thanks Simon! - Jessica won this round based purely on her vocal performance.

ROUND 2: Reprise

Jessica Sanchez

The Prayer
STUNNING! While I was hoping for something more upbeat and fierce from Jessica, I felt like this was a brilliant move from her as it actually sets a good contrast to Phillip. Her vocal was sublime, the performance got some great vocal dynamics, her breath control was impressive, the liberties she took with the melody were spot on, and the glory note was spectacular. This was an absolute vocal beast. And as for you Jennifer Lopez, you're dumb for saying "I've seen that before from Jessica" during a REPRISAL round. Good lord. Phillip also performed something you've seen before!! 9.5/10

Phillip Phillips

Movin' Out
This song? Really Phillip? You just shot yourself in the foot with this song choice because Movin' Out, I thought, was one of your weaker performances of the season. He could've killed it with a reprise of Volcano, but not with this. So while I appreciated the fact that he sort of changed a bit the arrangement in comparison to his first version, this just wasn't as great if he chose a better song. 7/10

VERDICT: No brainer. This was Jessica's Round.

ROUND 3: Single

Jessica Sanchez

Change Nothing
Yes, I was incredibly annoyed when the judges blamed this poor little kid for the quality of the song that was given to her. Sure, the song was craptastic and she was unable to elevate it to be something more than "blah" - the key when she started was a little too low for her range and when she hit the chorus, she went a little sharp in spots - but this was completely NOT her fault. I mean, give her something more urban with a little more edge and she'd kill it. I have an idea, why not just give them the same song just to keep this competition fair? 7/10

Phillip Phillips

Home
Phillip got a marching band and a standing ovation? Man, just crown him already. Haha. Not sure about his vocals - he sounded uneven, especially towards the end - but yes, the song was so much better than what Jessica got. In fact, this sounded like one of the better coronation singles in American Idol history. The arrangement was unique and it actually suited his style perfectly. Was this intentional? I wouldn't know, but I digress. Ladies and gentlemen, your new American Idol. Haha. 9/10

VERDICT: Again, a no brainer as Phillip owned this round! His song had shades of Mumford and Sons with a little Coldplay in it. 

BY PERFORMANCES

1. The Prayer

Jessica Sanchez

2. Home

Phillip Phillips

3. I Have Nothing

Jessica Sanchez

4. Stand By Me

Phillip Phillips

5. Movin' Out

Phillip Phillips

6. Change Nothing

Jessica Sanchez

BY IDOL

1. Jessica Sanchez

She was slightly better than Phillip based on her first two performances. I thought her vocals were insanely flawless, especially in her version of The Prayer. Too bad, Change Nothing was her last song to make an impression and she got the shaft for her "coronation" song.

2. Phillip Phillips

Vocally, he was obviously outclassed by Jessica, but what worked for him was the fact that he was far more entertaining and pretty charismatic the whole episode. Plus, his last song might've won him the title.

Prediction will be on another post!