Scotty McCreery, James Durbin Faceoff on Idol

People.com :    Elvis is back in the building. Scotty McCreery made his mark on Wednesday’s American Idol – which presented the final five, with Sheryl Crow mentoring – by bringing out the big guns: Elvis’s sentimental chesnut “Always on My Mind.”

He sang it with the easy inevitability of bread browning in a toaster. Jennifer Lopez said he’d proven his versatility. “Beautiful,” said Steven Tyler.

Each singer got to sing twice on Wednesday – one contemporary song and one classic. McCreery also covered Montgomery Gentry’s “Gone,” and it was a total smash and surprise, chugging along with locomotive energy. “I saw you dance with the devil tonight, and that’s a good thing for you,” said Steven.

Still, James Durbin may have come close to clinching the whole thing with his second song – with tears in his eyes as he sang Harry Nilsson’s “Without You.” It was one of the most powerful Idol performances ever – the kind of naked emotion that comes close to obliterating a song.

“This competition, it’s yours to lose,” said Randy Jackson. “Your emotions were incredible,” said Steven. “You are a true, true artist,” said Jennifer Lopez.

“Every single week I leave everything on the stage. Everything,” James told Ryan Seacrest. I believe him.

Lauren Alaina performed Carrie Underwood’s big showy country rocker “Flat on the Floor.” I missed the Lauren whose voice is like a nice steady river that occasionally overflows its banks with happiness. But the judges were unanimously delighted. “You ate. That. Up,” said Jennifer. Lauren’s second number was the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” which played more to her strengths.