Sorry for not posting for more than a week, but there hadn’t been much to discuss on Idol since Tuesday last.

However, we’ve made it past the auditions to one of the most fun parts of the season: The Hollywood Round. Before we get there, a few notes.

First, I heard a number of good voices on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Unfortunately, Cardin McKinney was not as good as hoped. In her defense, her recorded work was way better than the first impression, and that should bode well for her.

Danny Noriega and his over-the-top performance of “Proud Mary” was a surprise, although he’ll have to battle David Archuleta for this season’s role of Sanjaya/John Stevens/Kevin Covais.

And there were usual pop songstresses and sap stories, but we were also introduced to, perhaps, a legitimate female rocker. Amanda Overmyer has been tabbed by some of the rock-n-roll nurse, and while her rendition of “Mean Woman” was labeled a “put on” by Simon, her subsequent take of “Travelin’ Band” was deemed excellent.

Paula referred to the 22-year-old Indiana native as the female Chris Daughtry, which I thought was a terribly poor comparison. Sure, she’s rock and roll. Sure, he’s rock and roll. But their styles are so different, and I’m still not convinced Amanda is the real deal.

But I’m really, really hoping.

Let’s just put it this way. When compared to the greatness (and I do mean greatness) of Dilana from CBS’ Rock Star, this Overmyer kid doesn’t have much except potential.

Alas, we have a long way to go.

Talking with a colleague today, he noted that the promos for Hollywood week had him stoked. It’s the instruments, people. Get good singers practicing their craft on instruments, and it lends Idol a ton more credibility.

While Brooke White’s initial audition did little for me, her rendition of a Carole King tune (which tickling the proverbial ivories) has me thinking she’s an early favorite.

Look, I’ll be the first to tell you that Season 7’s auditions were pretty ho-hum. However, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking we might be in for a banner year, and that last clip underscored the potential next week holds.