THE FINAL TWO | A comparison

May 25, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Crystal Bowersox, 24

Hometown: Elliston, Ohio

Style: There’s a reason Bowersox has performed Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge songs — her style resembles both artists’, although Bowersox’s soulful voice doesn’t have the gritty, husky tones.

Best performance: Out of many strong ones, the best was arguably Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready.”

Worst performance: The judges heaped praise on her semifinal performance of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed,” chosen for her by judge Ellen DeGeneres. But Bowersox lapsed into “Idol”-esque shrieking.

Why she might win: Bowersox has been the most consistently good performer all season. She’s a loving mother, she stands up to the judges, showing her integrity, too.

Why she might not win: Has a tendency to get transported by whatever she’s singing, which can inadvertently make her seem aloof. Almost quit the competition, which some voters could see as her not wanting to win enough. Stands up to the judges, which some could view as insolent.

Lee DeWyze, 24

Hometown: Mount Prospect, Ill.

Style: Sounds a little like John Mayer. Could easily go country or middle-of-the-road pop-rock.

Best performance: “That’s Life” during Frank Sinatra week.

Worst performance: During “Billboard No. 1 hits” night, DeWyze took the Memphis soul of the Box Tops’ “The Letter” — which should have suited his voice well — and turned it into a lounge act.

Why he might win: Lee wants it. During the run-up to the finale, he has seemed hungrier than the other top finishers, listening to the judges’ feedback and doing whatever it takes to get ahead. He has also consistently improved throughout the season.

Why he might not win: Voters could see him being in it more for the game than the music. After his performance last week of the Simon Cowell-picked “Hallelujah,” the judges went beyond anointing to baptizing with their drool, and that could lead to voter backlash.

Source: McClatchy Tribune