Song Choice is the Mantra of American Idol, Top 36, Week 2

Fans of the FOX hit show "American Idol" had to wait an extra day this week before they could once again watch pop star hopefuls strut their stuff. This was week two of the search for the top 12 with the second set of 12 contestants. At least this week the show left the parents and so forth in the audience and not backstage spouting off on how wonderful their less than stellar offspring are.

Once again song choice was the mantra of the evening. The available song list was the same as last week, hit songs from the Billboard Hot 100; which means that the singers had 50 years worth of songs to choose from. With only a few exceptions most of the songs came from the more modern side of that list; one song "Viva La Vida" by Coldplay is still on the chart.

Week two of the top 36 held some good performances but just like last week there were no stand outs. As Simon Cowell is so fond of saying many of the contestants so far are forgettable; in a few days no one will remember them. One can only hope that the final week of 12 contestants will bring a stand out - they came close tonight with the final singer - Adam Lambert. The young rocker chose the Stones, and did Sir Mick justice. He had his moments but overall, he was good.

At times the show resembled a karaoke contest with a bit of comic relief being provided by the split personality of Nick/Norman.

In past seasons many contestants have not only made bad song choices, but chose songs that didn't even come close to fitting their voice. At least so far this season, the contestants have chosen songs that at least match their voices so that the performance doesn't resemble at cat fight. Even so...picking a song, "because I like it", does not mean the song is a good choice to showcase the singer's vocal abilities and talents. After hearing the panel of judges rant on for the past seven years about contestants and their song choice - or lack thereof - it is hoped that the new group would have learned the lesson... but I suppose that is too much to hope for from what we have seen so far. Debra Byrd is the vocal coach for the show; she has been with them from the beginning. Debra is a seasoned veteran in the music business having performed with legendary entertainer Barry Manilow for many years; as a result, Ms. Byrd knows what sounds good and right, singers who take her heed will fair better in the end.

"American Idol" was designed to ferret out the best new pop singing talent; but it has become a popularity contest voted by the three Fs - friends, family, and fans. And the singers chosen to compete are not always the best singers, but the best promotable package; the guys may not always be great to look at, but the girls are always pretty. To look at "American Idol" it would appear that only girls with fashion model looks can sing. Over the years, I have heard and known many people who can successfully dispute that idea.