The American Idol spectacle was palpably toned down Tuesday, with no retrospective themes or coaching star power.

Instead, it was “download night,” somewhat loosely defined as “popular songs that people download.” In other words, any tune in the history of mankind.

It proved a litmus test for the nine finalists, who couldn’t use a restrictive stylistic premise as an excuse for their failings. Ultimately, the night proved incredibly revealing, with the Idols split into two camps: Those who knew who they were, and those who didn’t.

Idols who flourished under this freedom included Danny Gokey, who picked “What Hurts the Most” by Rascal Flatts. The power ballad gave him the opportunity to extract a dose of emotional conviction out of the contemporary track, which seems to be Gokey’s strong suit.

Keeping in line with previous picks Bruce Hornsby and Phil Collins, Scott MacIntyre continued his run of choosing the most mainstream singer-songwriters of all time with the Billy Joel chestnut “Just the Way You Are.” (What next, David Gates and Bread? Christopher Cross? Air Supply?) But the delivery was so straightforward — just his voice and a piano — that it all made perfect sense. MacIntyre finally understood he can do one style, one way, and by sticking with that concept he was fairly listenable.

Other standouts included Adam Lambert, whose weekly modus operandi has been to deliver the unexpected with theatrical flair. How many years would it take a roomful of music critics to guess that Lambert would chose “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry? Lambert presented a complete deconstruction of the song, where even the core pentatonic riff was abandoned. Vegas-y and over-the-top, it was probably the most entertaining performance of the evening. It also provided some insight into the judges, with Kara DioGuardi saying it was “like Studio 57 in here.” Simon quickly corrected “Studio 54.” Perhaps she was actually referring to Heinz 57.

Kris Allen was hands down the winner of the night, with a tremendously cool and innovative arrangement of Bill Withers’ sparse “Ain’t No Sunshine.” It was the first time this season where I began to believe Allen might be the eventual winner. (I had originally predicted he’d be a top three finalist, but I think he’s more talented and commercial than other original picks Gokey and Lil Rounds.)

On the flip side were the performers who radiated “identity crisis.”

Anoop Desai scored big the last two weeks by austerely singing some ballads and showing off his decent tone and range. But you knew, given half the chance, Anoop Dogg was going to return to “playa” mode. His take on a forgettable Usher track reminded me of scenes on “The Office” when Michael Scott decides to beat box in public. They might as well have declared the Idol stage a soul-free zone.

Poor Megan Joy. Every week the judges tell her (rightfully) that she should get on the Amy Winehouse-Duffy-Adele bandwagon, and every week Joy chooses some bat-(expletive) crazy song. So did she take the advice and play to her retro-soul/torch singer strengths. No, instead she decided to sing Bob Marley. Seriously. Marley? She knows he’s got nothing to do with that “Marley and Me” movie, right? It was an awkward three minutes, to say the least. No wonder Joy has been the ongoing frontrunner on the Vote for the Worst Web site.

Matt Giraud called an audible from his Coldplay-book, choosing upstart band The Fray to cover. I can’t even begin to hum a few bars. It was made all the more unremarkable by the lack of conviction in his voice. Since unexpectedly being dumped into the bottom three last week following a strong performance, Giraud looked like he has given up before the contest is even over. He should be wearing a Louisville jersey.

Lil Rounds managed to at least sing well on her bombastic “Celine Dion” tribute. Unfortunately, it did nothing but make the 23-year-old from Memphis come across like a 41-year-old from Canada. Rounds may stick around for a while, but she is going to end up in the Melinda Doolittle where-are-they-now file if she doesn’t figure out her viable career options.

Straddling the fence — and the evening’s wild card — was Allison Iraheta who offered a decent, appropriate take on No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak.” Though her voice sounded deliciously raspy and she even played the gentle guitar intro herself, Iraheta’s looks were so distracting that it overshadowed her performance. How off-putting were her teased red hair and ill-fitting punk ensemble? Well …

1. She looked like a Troll doll wearing a Bratz outfit.

2. She looked like a featured extra from the set of “The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.”

3. She looked like a Lawrence barista.

Bottom three prediction: Anoop Desai, Megan Joy and Matt Giraud.

Loser: Matt Giraud.