Based solely on aesthetics, I’d say this was easily the best Top 24 in American Idol History. There are five legit hottie girls, and an equal number of dudes (no, I am not counting Michael Johns; he has T-Rex arms, only McConaughey can get away with that). Vocally it’s too early to tell, but I don’t abjectly HATE anyone just yet (with the slight exception of maybe Danny Noriega). Overall, this set of people reminds me a lot of Season Four; a handful of talented rocker guys, a slew of pretty country girls, an age-odd ringer (David Archuleta), a ton of canon fodder and no clear-cut STAR in the pack. It’s gonna be a great season.

As I do every year before the semi-finals, I pick six early favorites to ride through the season. If you read this piece last year, you’ll know that five out of my six made the Top 12, I picked one of the Top 3 kids (Melinda) and even nailed the Sanjaya pick. And while it’s not pertinent to this particular column, I love bringing it up all the same: I picked the Final Two for Season Six TEN WEEKS IN ADVANCE! So stick with me and I’ll have you winning your Idol Pool every week.

Without further ado, here are my American Idol Season Seven Early Favorites:

David Archuleta

There’s just something about David that is so pure and wondrous and good. I wanna protect this kid from danger like Clive Owen in Children of Men. Sweet, polite, can belt out Bryan Adams songs that don’t make me want to drink from the wrong Jesus cup, and did I mention he’s friggin adorable? Cause he is. I’m scared to death of what the press is going to do to him, but I know the blogs will take him in and love him like a Brangelina orphan. And I’d be willing to bet that the minute he’s out of the competition, Disney scoops him up and makes him a bloody movie star inside of six months (he’s a PERFECT tween idol).

Carly Smithson

Love the voice, love the tats, love the Amy Lee facade, love the Heart performance, love it. DON’T love her chances as an Irish girl in a competition called “American Idol”. Methinks all that VISA problems backstory the producers are hitting us so hard with is going to come back and bite her in the ass. But until it does, I can’t wait to see what she can do.

Luke Menard

I know absolutely zero about him, and have never heard him sing even one note. That being said, he’s got a great look, a likeable face and Idol needs people like him in the Top 12. He’s the Chris Richardson of this season. He’ll go far on his face, and then it’s up to his voice and song choice to get him the rest of the way. I’m putting money down that he stays in contention all season.

Ramiele Malubay

Tiny Asian sensations are IN right now. Just ask Tila Tequila. One of the biggest voices in the competition in easily the smallest package. The entire Ramiele thing is PERFECTly suited for Idol. Even her name is hot. Can’t you see “Ramiele” flaked in gold on a CD cover? If her and David make it to the final two I may die of an awesomeness overdose. And the camera guys are gonna need neckbraces to support having to point down for two hours.

Michael Johns

I hate him, but sometimes you have to put money down on the easy sure bet (he’s easily the prohibitive male favorite). Solo male singers are on the rise again, and he fits right in to that John Mayer, JT, Gavin DeGraw set. The right name, the right bland face, the right messy hair, and I reluctantly admit, the right voice. But he better stop pulling that Bohemian Rhapsody bullshit; that might fly in Aussie Land but in America we call that song choice “low-fi”. Also, did I mention the T-Rex arms? HATE!

Kady Malloy

In every season I need a hottie to salivate over. Two years ago I was lucky enough to drool over my girl Kat McPhee for three months. Last year I did some mischevious eyebrow lifting at Haley Mercado. And this year I’m locking my bedroom door for Britney-impersonator Kady Malloy. That smile, those eyes, that body, yeesh! The best word describe my thoughts during her first audition: oof. If Haley made it to the Top 8 last year and Kady is easily as pretty and with a better voice, why can’t my oof hottie make it to the Top 5? Bet on the oof, kids, trust The Jay!

So there are my horses for Season Seven. Do you agree? Disagree? Let me know your thoughts on my favorites, and leave your favs, in the comments.

Bangarang!