The Final Showdown Rocks Canadian Idol 4

Eva and Craig proved themselves a worthy Top 2 Monday night on Canadian Idol 4. After a series of questionable and depressing eliminations in the semi-finals round, this season of CI managed to end on an extremely high note with the two finalists putting their best foot forward, turning in six shining performances. A night of personal bests and an original Idol song that actually suits both contestants made for an exciting final competition indeed.

Following is the It's Destiny! panel's take on the CI4 Top 2: Final Showdown.

Craig Sharpe "Meant To Fly"
Destiny: First off, kudos to the CI sound team for getting the audio back on track this week. Craig's voice was crisp and clear up front in the mix. And what a voice it was. Good onya, Craig! His voice is undeniable, and this song certainly highlighted his strengths. Craig also looked at ease, turning in his most carefree performance of the season. Nice!
Score: 9.3
Liza: Yes, his voice was pretty much pitch perfect and strong from a technical standpoint. However, he lost me when he twirled on stage and implored the fans to sing with him ... on a non-catchy song that they had just heard for the very first time a minute and a half prior. As for the song itself, there's some strange instrumentation going on there. I feel like I'm in outer space or something!
Score: 7.5
Tammy: I liked this song! I'm not really sure how to describe it. It definitely sounds like something Chantal Kreviazuk would sing/write, however. Though I'm utterly baffled as to how this boy managed to sneak into the finale, he did a good job, and it was probably my favorite performance that he's done all year. He seemed much more relaxed than last week, and seemed to be having fun. I'm also a little puzzled as to why he tried to get the audience to sing along, though. Who does he think he is, Toby Rand? How cute was he when he got all weepy when Zack hugged him, though? Aww!
Score: 8.9

Eva Avila "Wild Horses"
Destiny: Like Craig before her, Eva started out her night with crisp, beautiful vocals. She sounded great! What a beautiful artist she is. Love her interpretation skills and the way she takes her voice on a journey throughout the song. This may not be my favorite song ever, but she certainly delivered.
Score: 9.2
Liza: Eva had moments in this song that were just truly stunning, but there were a few times where she overdid it. The good definitely outweighed the bad, though.
Score: 8.5
Tammy: I agree with Liza. Eva was good, but I felt like she was 'performing' the song, rather than feeling it. Overall, however, she sounded just beautiful.
Score: 8.7

Craig Sharpe "I Surrender"
Destiny: Brilliant song choice for Craig! It certainly highlighted his strengths, and he rose to the occasion by commanding the stage. It's exciting to see Craig give it his all and do his best. He wants to win, that's for sure.
Score: 9.4
Liza: This performance pretty much sums up Craig in a nutshell for me. He picks big diva songs for the sole purpose of glory-noting, and there is little to no connection there. The beginning of the song was so bland and so low that it was almost inaudible, and he only kicked it up and came alive towards the end.
Score: 7.2
Tammy: Craig sounded fairly awful at the start of the song, flat and lifeless. He did turn it up towards the end, but that performance was nowhere near what it should have been. That song should be able to knock the viewers out. Kelly Clarkson performed it better, and she had practically no speaking voice when she did sing the song on the first season of American Idol.
Score: 7.3

Eva Avila "Meant To Fly"
Destiny: Eva certainly knows how to interpret a song. And she sounds (and looks) fantastic while doing it. Love this girl. This is a pitch-problem-free finals show, something that we haven't seen on an Idol show in years. Good stuff!
Score: 9.5
Liza: Eva puts a more soulful spin on this than Craig and pretty much takes the song and emphatically stamps her name on it. The only criticism I have here is that at times she gets this Stepford pageant smile when she sings. Other than that, I have two words: Game Over.
Score: 9.0
Tammy: Shocking even myself, I actually preferred Craig's version of this song. Eva's version seemed rather bland, and yes, very Stepford. I really didn't like how she performed this song, at all. It was very off-putting for some reason.
Score: 8.0

Craig Sharpe "What Hurts The Most"
Destiny: Craig had a very good night. He looked and sounded at ease yet again. Good song choice. My hat's off to you, Craig.
Score: 9.2
Liza: I agree that it was a good song choice, and it was great to hear him sing it with a full band and to hear that great violin part, but those backup singers did him no favors and may have contributed to him going out of tune on a few occasions.
Score: 7.0
Tammy: I don't really remember the version that he performed the first time around, which really doesn't speak well for Craig (or perhaps for my memory). Tonight he was fine on the song. Umm...not much more to say than that. He didn't blow me away, but he didn't embarrass himself, either. And really, do you have to be much more than average to be the Canadian Idol, anyways? Hee!
Score: 8.6

Eva Avila "How Come You Don't Call Me"
Destiny: Wow. This was a signature performance for Eva Avila and one of the best on any Idol show ever. She looked absolutely adorable from head to toe, and she sounded and performed like a superstar artist. Loved it!!! With this performance Eva earned the highest compliment I can give her: she is the Canadian Kelly Clarkson. This was the best Idol final performance night ever in that both contestants sounded their best on all six songs, including the orginal. Nothing pitchy or ill-fitting. A match well played, Eva and Craig!
Score: 9.9
Liza: I liked this performance better the first time around, but it was still excellent tonight. It was a brilliant choice on her part because regardless of whether or not she wins this thing, with all three songs, Eva showcased her marketability as a contemporary singer. She just tore it up tonight and left no doubt as to who should win. I half agree with you, Destiny, in that this was the best Idol finale night, with the half signifying Eva's sensational showing tonight. I can't recall an Idol finale in which one singer took every single song and just killed it like Eva did. If she doesn't win this, it will be a crime.
Score: 9.4
Tammy: Meh. Vocally, I can't fault the girl. But tonight, she is really rubbing me the wrong way, and coming off as a bit full of herself as she performs. Not my cup o' tea, this one.
Score: 8.5

Who Should Win The Title
Destiny: Eva
Liza: Eva
Tammy: Eva

Who Will Win The Title
Destiny: Eva
Liza: Eva
Tammy: Craig. Just to be different. And also due in part to the fact that I can't figure out how on earth he made it this far, and I see no reason why this trend should change.

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