Which four 'American Idol' guys got cut in the semifinals?

The top 12 semifinal guys were a strong group. Even the four who axed tonight could have made the top 12 other years. They were victims of song choice, blandness and/or simple competition.

Trevor's departure was not a surprise. His vocals have been a mess during the live shows. Riley? Earnest but forgettable last week. Michael Simeon started strong early on in the auditions and Hollywood but his last performance was too affected and lacked authenticity. Bad time to cheese it up so much.

Savion has to be the big heartbreaker for many people. He had tried out so many times to get to the top 24 and now he's out the first time out. People blamed it on a bad song choice. I think when he performed, he was simply overshadowed by Quentin and Qaasim. He has a lot of great qualities but somehow he blurred into the woodwork and couldn't garner the votes.

I predicted Rayvon, Trevor, Mark and Adam going home. I got two out of four right. It appears the two guys who sang older tunes moved the middle-aged female voters.

Now onto the eight survivors, who sang the best of Motown.

Nobody was horrible, to be honest. My favorite? Rayvon Owen had me from start to finish. Close second: Adam really brought it, making the most of what he has

Who goes home: The two people I thought would go this week might not make the cut next week. Mark Andrew is due after somehow surviving last week. He just isn't that interesting on stage. The second spot? It's either Adam, who just doesn't look like an "Idol" star, or Daniel, who just isn't really quite ready for the "Idol" stage. I have to call one. So I'll say Daniel despite my previous prediction he'd cruise in. I think the Caleb Johnson crowd will keep Adam in.

UPDATE: MJ reports there will be a pre-taped wildcard episode next Tuesday that will air Wednesday, meaning the eight men and women eliminated will have a chance to get back in it. So Savion fans, don't despair. On Thursday will be the first live show, which will feature performances and single elimination.

My ranks from top to bottom 1) Rayvon 2) Adam 3) Quaasim 4) Quentin 5) Nick 6) Clark 7) Daniel 8) Mark

1) Daniel Seavey ("How Sweet It Is" Marvin Gaye) - The lower registers swallow him up but he's cute and he sings with panache and confidence. Keith: "Good song for you to do... Don't be so stuck with the melody." JLo: "You're so talented. It's nice to see you getting more relaxed up there. A little bit low for you." HCJ: "You need to push this band along. It was really sweet. You need to feel what they're doing. Let them dictate what you're body does. It's got to groove heard.

Grade: B-plus

Chances moving forward: Solid

2) Mark Andrew ("Papa Was a Rolling Stone" Temptations) - He is very jam-band laid back. This was  pleasant but lacked edge. It really showed the limitations of his voice. J Lo: "I love your voice... I'm not sure that song in that way moved me. And I loved that song." HCJ: "I liked the arrangement... you string too many of those together, I'm not sure you'll get that far." Keith said he's glad he's here, implying that he (like me) didn't expect him to make the cut.

Grade: B

Chance of moving forward: Not great

3) Rayvon Owen ("My Girl" Temptations) - I absolutely love Rayvon's voice. It feels silky and sexy in a Ne Yo sort of way. I am so glad he made the cut. He takes on a classic and does a respectfully joyful version. HCJ: "Everything about that was really really strong." He has seen a lot of nice and sweet. Keith: "Need a little more weight in the performance." JLo loved his falsetto.

Grade: A-minus/A

Chance of getting through: Excellent

4) Adam Ezegelian ("I Want You Back" Jackson 5): He is in a tux and looks like a great wedding singer. He does a different soulful/rock take. It's like exceptional cheese. I appreciate how he molded the song to his strengths. Keith: "That was the perfect song for you. I love what you do." JLo: "You really do a good job on that song." HCJ: "The most dangerous about you is your voice. You come out with this big thick high notes. You nailed every note."

Grade: A-minus

Chance of going through: Decent

5) Clark Beckham ("Tracks of My Tears" Smokey Robinson) - He started a little slow and missed a few notes but the arrangement allowed him to end strong in a flurry of gospel energy. JLo: "Now that you think and make such good choices, it's now about letting to and feel more of that heart and soul... You could go all the way." HCJ: "One thing that was lacking was a beginning, middle and end. It just stopped in the middle." Keith: "I would have done it without the band. Don't be afraid to do that."

Grade: B/B-plus

Chance of going through: Good

6) Nick Fradiani ("Signed Sealed & Delivered" Stevie Wonder) - He started strong but the pacing felt overly consistent throughout the arrangement and the ending was just okay. Not his best but still pretty good. HCJ liked it but encouraged him to smile more. Keith said he looked less comfortable playing the guitar. "I wanted to see you move more."

Grade: B-plus

Chances of moving through: Still good

7) Qaasim Middleton ("I Wish" Stevie Wonder) - His vocals toward the end went off the rails a bit but it's hard to fault his performance. Michael Jackson would have been impressed with his moves. Keith: "It was so good. Watching you in front of an audience is what it's all about." JLo: "You're so damn funky, it's crazy... I want you start focusing on the vocal." (You know you have a problem when JLo criticizes your singing.) HCJ: "Every single run you sang was right on the money."

Grade: A-minus/B-plus

Chances of moving through: Duh. Of course

8) Quentin Alexander ("Master Blaster" Stevie Wonder) - They can't give Qaasim the pimp spot every week. So Quentin gets his shot but following Qaasim is tough. He doesn't have the strongest voice but he has presence and style and all things that will keep him around awhile. JLo: "That was easy, so smooth, so perfect." HCJ: "My favorite part was how you settled into the groove." Keith: "You know who you are. You know what songs suit you... A bull's eye."

Grade: B-plus/A-minus

Chances of going through: Very good