Idol Banter: Stumbling for inspiration

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Inspiration is a funny thing. It can spring from an utterly predictable source -– a spectacular sunset, say, or the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Or it can be so privately rooted that it makes no sense to anyone but the one it sweeps away.

I find the Elton John obscurity “Love Song” inspiring because I sang it as part of the choir at Catholic Folk Mass when I was 14, and a boy I had a crush on was playing guitar, and it seemed so cool to go beyond the usual Jesus stuff and invoke an actual rock star during church. Fifteen years later, I got that same rush from Joseph Arthur’s “In the Sun,” partly because it sounded something like Elton’s non-hit. These wistful ballads make my heart surge; they would probably do nothing for you.

The challenge on tonight’s inspiration-themed show, then, was for contestants to pick a song that seemed personal, yet hit a demographic home run. Tonight’s selections probably told us more about each contestant’s future than any other week so far, because it forced these strivers to consider not simply what they care about in pop, but what they think could bring them enduring success. For “Idol”-style stars, the ability to inspire equals arenas filled, albums and downloads sold, return visits to the Idoldome secured. It was time for our sweet kids to get careerist.

A few took reliable routes, and did well. The judges may not think Michael Johns was meant to be a rocker, but his obsession with working the mic stand, not to mention those meant-to-be-pitchy high notes on tonight’s ripping version of “Dream On,” say otherwise. He’ll be back next week. Kristy Lee Cook secured her place, too, by picking a Martina McBride song based on a poem by Mother Theresa: not-so-secular hymns are her sweet spot, and she’s sticking to it.

Then there were the stumbles on what should have been smooth roads. Syesha’s Fantasia grab was predictably dull; Brooke White’s weirdly terrified rendition of what should have been easy for her, the Carole King comforter “You’ve Got a Friend,” was worse. Carly Smithson’s over-the-top tribute to Freddie Mercury on Queen’s “Show Must Go On” worked for me, but the judges inexplicably hated it.

They got on her for seeming angry, as if that’s not proper diva behavior. Have they never seen Celine Dion beat her own chest black and blue with a clenched fist? Do they not recognize that Mercury himself was as operatic as he was camp? Carly, you are too big for this show. Never forget that.

The night’s biggest surprise was David Cook’s first misstep in weeks. His version of “Innocent” by Canadian band Our Lady Peace (OLP) was unfocused and tired. Cook had a health scare last week, and he looked a little pale. But the song selection was his bigger gaffe. He chose a personal favorite and then tried to represent for it, singing in the edgy, slightly hyper style of OLP’s Raine Maida. Where was the big, charcoal glow Cook can generate in that baritone America’s coming to love? Cook lost it in a complicated arrangement, then stumbled on his high notes.

I liked him for that. It suggested that he’s not just a clever self-stylist, but a guy with real opinion and tastes and the desire to keep pursuing them. Sadly, this glimpse into Cook’s fairly tame idiosyncrasies may alienate some viewers. If Sanjaya Malakar and Taylor Hicks taught us anything, it was that staying true to your brand, not your heart, allows an “Idol” to pass as unique.

Cook has already fashioned himself into this year’s Daughtry, a flyover-state rocker with just enough artiness to make him stand out in line at the local Wal Mart. But what if he really is kind of a weirdo? Our Lady Peace is no Radiohead, but as KROQ favorites go, it’s unusual. Daughtry was smart when he paid homage to his favorite band, Live, by mimicking their cover of a Johnny Cash song. That move allowed him to be risky and familiar at the same time. Cook has shown himself to be adept at such ruses; I’ll bet he returns to them, pronto.

He could look to his boy rivals for guidance. Both Jason Castro and David Archuleta fared well this week, not only because easy uplift is in their golden blood, but because they picked perfect songs. Castro honored the late, beloved Hawaiian crooner Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Iz for short) with a ukulele-powered version of “Over the Rainbow” that bathed that song’s pathos in sea-salt waves of hippie bliss. And Archie transformed “Angels,” Robbie Williams’ biggest hit everywhere but in the States, from a Bowie-esque Big Number into a museful soul lament.

Both young men showed that inspirational music can be introspective, a powerful statement to make the night before the grandly gesturing stars descend on the Idoldome for the charity fest “Idol Gives Back.” It’s lovely that they both dared to take it down a notch; as the competition continues to heat up, let’s hope it’s not their last chance to do so.

-- Ann Powers

(Photo courtesy Fox)