The Final Four of the eleventh season of American Idol is composed of quite an interesting 50% "comebackers" and 50% "first-timers."

Joshua Ledet and Hollie Cavanagh both tried out last year but only judge Steven Tyler gave Joshua the thumbs up last year, while Hollie struggled with her stage fright even as the judges have tried hard to convince her that she's got it. Now both of them have made quite a comeback, making it to the Final Four and getting strong commendations from the same set of judges who thought they weren't ready to sing live on the Idol stage a year ago.

Jessica Sanchez has been dreaming of getting in the show since she was five years old, while Phillip Phillips was juggling his job as his father's assistant in their family pawnshop and his gigs as musician. Both of them thought this year was right to make a big step towards their dreams, and both are doing excellent jobs as first timers.

This week's performance show marries two themes: California Dreamin' and Songs You Wish You Wrote. How did the contestants do in this very important time, with the grand finale two weeks away?

Phillip Phillips opened the week's competition with "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. He shows up again for a duet (Maroon 5's "This Love") with Joshua Ledet and a Final Four number (Foreigner's "Waiting for a Girl Like You"). His second major number is a rendition of Damien Rice's Volcano, the song he wished he had written.

"You're living proof that the road to success is always under construction," Steven Tyler told Phillip after his first performance. He could either mean that he is consistently showing improvement, or that there is a lot of room for improvement.

"Sounded pretty good to me," Jennifer Lopez told him.

While there was no raving from the judges for the first number, Phillip blew everyone away with his second number. It was a statement, a big moment, and a revelation all at the same time. He is not only serious about the competition; he is a seriously talented musician.

"Dude, that's one of your best performances on the whole season," Randy Jackson told him.

There is no way that Phillip Phillips will hit the bottom two after this performance. He will be safe.

With all the news circulating that his health is failing, Ryan Seacrest asked him how he was doing before he sang "Volcano." He said he was feeling pretty good. So there, Phillip wants to take his talent all the way to the finals, and the fans could only hope for his kidney stones to respond to his medication so that his surgery could wait until after the season's competition is over.

Click 'Start' for some of Phillip Phillips' photos from this year's American Idol.

California American Idol Jennifer Lopez