Matt Giraud owes a lot to the Wild Card system. In previous years, his disastrous opening performance would have likely sealed his fate. The judges kept the faith, however, and gave him another shot in last week's Wild Card show and Matt took full advantage of it. Though, it must be said that, like fellow Wild Card entrant Megan Corkrey, the judges had a clear affinity for Giraud which may have gained him entrance into the Top 13 regardless of how his Wild Card performance went down. Nonetheless, Giraud gave a drastically improved performance when he needed it most, and any cries of foul play were squashed. Having now weathered the Top 36, Matt Giraud instantly becomes one of the more interesting contestants in the Top 13. A dueling piano player by trade, Matt will now be allowed to perform with his preferred instrument, which, if you remember his excellent Hollywood Week performance of Ray Charles' “Georgia On My Mind,” has to be a scary proposition for his fellow singers.
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 - Main Page
American Idol 8: The Official Top 13 Slideshow
Strengths:
Matt's ability to play an instrument (and play it well) will be his greatest advantage. We saw it last season – singers can overcome the lack of a great voice if they have an instrument handy (see: Jason Castro and Brooke White). His bluesy vibe, when Matt goes for it, is unique in the competition (at least on the male side). Also, Matt does have that Justin Timberlake look to him, and could latch on in the female community as the season's heartthrob.
Weaknesses:
His voice isn't terribly strong. He will have to make consistently great song choices if he wants a chance at winning the competition. Matt also has some identity issues. After his first performance (in which he sang “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay) Matt told the judges that he wanted to be more of a pop artist than the bluesy type he had shown in Hollywood. No matter what Matt thinks he wants to be, he has to stick with what works, and singing Coldplay did not work.
Best-Case Scenario:
Matt makes great song choices, improves his vocals and utilizes the piano to great effect and ends up becoming a contender to win it all.
Worst-Case Scenario:
Matt tosses aside the blues, tries to become a pop star and fails miserably.
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 - Main Page
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Matt Giraud
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Megan Corkrey
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Anoop Desai
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Alexis Grace
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Michael Sarver
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Danny Gokey
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Jasmine Murray
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Allison Iraheta
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Kris Allen
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Adam Lambert
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Lil Rounds
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Scott MacIntyre
American Idol 8: Analyzing the Top 13 – Jorge Nunez
-Oscar Dahl, BuddyTV Senior Writer
(Image Courtesy of FOX)