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Top 4 Rock n' Roll

Syesha Mercado soars as Jason Castro crashes and burns on a pivotal performance night

If ever there was a night to impress the Idol masses, this was it. Final four is serious business; David Archuleta, had nothing to worry about, but for poor Bob Marley lovin' Jason Castro, last night's performances might have just sent his Idol stint up in smoke.

We had high hopes for a decent song selection week – after all, the Idols could select from any song included in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame. But, as usual, this round was more of the same: Archie – with a heartfelt "Stand By Me" that he confesses he sings to his dog (Aww!) - brought out the big guns while Karaoke Castro just couldn't get in the groove with "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "I Shot the Sheriff." What's that, Jason? It's Bob Marley, you say? That's nice, but doesn't earn you any bonus points – just the distinction of being a bad copycat.

The night's saving grace? Syesha Mercado, who slinked onto the stage to wow the crowd with a powerful version of Tina Turner's "Proud Mary." The tune started off shaky – and too ballad-y for our liking – but leave it to Sy to kick it into high gear when it counts: the chorus! Bopping around the stage in a sexy silver mini, Mercado proved that she's got at least one more week left in her as she initiated some of Turner's signature choreography for a final touch. Her second offering, "A Change Is Gonna Come" saw her "Fantasia moment" come two weeks early. This girl knows she's got it, and this week she finally realized what America has known all along. We agree with Randy at long last: she really is in the zone! (And this week it's not the red one…)

For some reason, David Cook was just a'ight for Us this week, dawg. Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" and The Who's "Baba O'Riley" were not unlike his offerings for the last eight weeks and it's high time for Cookie to break the mold. He'll be around next week, but might just have a fight on his hands with Syesha for that final two spot.

BY ALLISON CORNEAU