David & David Go Head to Head - Which One Will Be the Next American Idol

American Idol season seven is down to the final two - predictably, the two Davids are the last men standing. Before saying who I think will ultimately win this year's contest, here's my analysis of how the season has gone for each contestant.

David Cook:

Singing Talent:
David Cook's voice would be perfect for a contemporary rock album. He has a solid "rocker" voice, but has shown several times that he is also capable of using that voice to emote songs from other genres.

Stage Presence:
It's obvious that David Cook is comfortable on stage. He has a way of owning the stage and drawing in the audience.

Physical Appeal:
He's not bad to look at - I think it would be a stretch to call him "hot", but he's got the sensitive, genuine "rock star" vibe, which makes him very attractive.

Record-Selling Potential:
A few weeks ago, a news report showed that David Cook's previously-released album, Analog Heart topped the Amazon.com download charts, beating Mariah Carey's E=MC2 album, released that same week. Given his already demonstrated ability to sell records, I think it's apparent that a CD release by David Cook is in demand and should be quite successful.

Career Longevity:
The phrase "rock & roll will never die" applies here. Due to his ability to be both relevant and diverse, if David Cook wins, his career is sure to be long-lasting and successful.

Intangibles:
Though David Cook leans more toward the "rocker" side of things, he is more well-rounded as an artist than his competitior, which gives him an advantage. Also, having had several years in the music industry, he's had time to hone his craft and get to know his style, which also gives him an edge.

David Archuleta:

Singing Talent:
David Archuleta is a talented balladeer. He can sing just about ballad he wants, and sing it well. There's no doubt he's talented and has what it takes to win - just a few years ago, at the age of 12, he won Star Search.