Live blogging the Sing-Out Top 10. All the remaining groups perform on the same stage tonight!
North Shore are eliminated
The Deltones are eliminated
Best groups tonight are easy to pick: The Yellow Jackets not only thoroughly understood the concept of “Guilty Pleasure” with their campy and fun version of “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls, but they sounded totally awesome while doing their thing. Also totally fantastic, were Pentatonix, whose space-aged rendition of “Video Killed the Radio Star” featured futuristic fun along with tight vocals.
Really disappointed that my homies, North Shore went home tonight. Yes, they freaked out and retreated to a safe choice with the Huey Lewis song, but the do-wop group from Boston have been showing the youngsters haw to get it done. I would have given them another week to stretch their wings. The Collective should have gone home–that’s a group with no chemistry between it’s members (don’t they’re going to find it, either) and charisma-free lead singers.
The second group eliminated, The Deltones, was clearly the weakest in their bracket. They’ve got heart, and seem to work hard, but are clearly outclassed in this competition. Next week, The Top 8 sing…wait for it…Hip Hop–featuring songs by Kanye West, Bruno Mars, P. Diddy AND MORE Y’ALL!
Opening Number: “All Night Long, ” Lionel Richie – All ten groups take the stage for a cheesetastic group number. No really. This is pretty great. Cacophonic awesomeness people! And I really hate the original version. Pointy pose choreography is making my head explode! So. Much. Fun. – VIDEO
There will be a double elimination tonight.
Yellowjackets: “Wannabe, ” Spice Girls – “The lyrics are very profound indeed…no it’s awful.” LOLZ. OMG the fellas are HIGHLARIOUS. Very campy and fun. The choreographer is a laugh-riot a minute. Not to mention that the vocals and arrangement are top notch. LOVE THIS. What a great way to start the show. The Spice Guys got it going on. Sara “That was a ton of fun. That was insane. So much personality on stage. There’s some tuning issues, but I loved it.” Shawn: “That was a bit strange for me, but somehow I enjoyed it. Great job.” Ben: “It was really entertaining. Every 4 t0 8 bars there’s another ‘event’.” Shawn invents a new word for singing out of tune: FLART! Lets retire pitchy. – VIDEO
Delilah: “Flashdance…What A Feeling, ” Irene Cara – They were on the chopping block last week. It put a good scare into them. This is stellar. They sing this “guilty pleasure” without an ounce of Irony. They mean it. And you know what? I believe them. I’m buying it. Beautiful bass and harmonies. Strong lead vocals. Ben: “You’re all such great singers and have big brains.” He thinks they need to arrange some bits differently. Sara: “This felt like you to me. I liked that you focused into the heart and soul of Delilah.” Shawn: “At the end, it came undone a little bit, but you brought it back at the end.” The judges felt the performance was off, but appreciated the group’s passion. – VIDEO
North Shore: “Power of Love” Huey Lewis & the News – Oh, here’s another song that’s right in the group’s wheelhouse. Their first choice was MMMM Bop by Hanson, but it didn’t work out for them. Switch at the last minute, meant only one day to rehearse. Well, they’re pros, and it’s not surprising they learned it fast. It’s sung in the doo-wop style they’re familiar with. We know these guys can sing in their sleep. What they need to do now, is take a few risks. Maybe stretch beyond their typical boundaries for once. Shawn: “You always remind us what NS is about. I just want to feel another side of North Shore. You’ve nailed every performance so far.” Ben: “I love the transitions and interpretations. We need to see the identifiable timbre of the delivery.” Sara: “I think you guys took some risks this week. I want to see some diversity from you guys.” Eh. It was perfectly sung, but the act is beginning to feel one-dimensional. It’s too bad they couldn’t pull off that Hanson song. – VIDEO
The Collective: “I Will Survive, ” Gloria Gaynor – These guys have not been able to get their act together for the show. Although the judges rave about them, I can’t warm up to the group’s lead singers. The background vocals are unremarkable. This week, they still sound muddled. They improve a little bit week by week, but it’s not enough for me. Sara: “Damn, if I didn’t love that. It was so emotional for you guys. Amazing vocals.” Shawn: “Each and every week, you guys find yourselves vocally. Ruby and Rachel you had some good moments together. That four on the floor thing should have come sooner.” Ben: “You grabbed us from the start on this one. I respect the choice you made not glomming on to the anthemic feeling of the song right away. Your background vocals blended this time.” – VIDEO
Dartmouth Aires: “Jessie’s Girl, ” Rick Springfield – Ha ha ha. I totally love this song, and I’m not even embarrassed to admit it. Every week they have solo auditions. Hm. The lead singers who aren’t Mike are weak, unfortunately. The arrangement is good, but something sounds off. I usually dig this group, but I’m a bit disappointed with this performance. OK, Clark, the nerdy African American guy, just did a high kick. The group has immediately earned many more points from me. Ben: Liked the dance moves. “Great energy. A + to anyone in the tenor range and up. It’s not quite grooving, really. I applaud your simplicity, but it shows your weakness.” Shawn: “The energy was there, but I was waiting for the bass. Very entertaining.” Sara: “I was smiling from ear to ear. Missing consistency in the low end, but very entertaining.” Clark the kicker FTW. Hell yes. – VIDEO
First elimination of the night: The Collective and The Yellow Jackets are safe (Ugh. The Collective are boring.) Dartmouth Aires advance. Delilah and North Shore on the chopping block. WHAT THE HELL???? Delilah are safe.
North Shore head home. WTF???? That’s just crap. I’m sorry. Their Swan Song is “Goodnight Sweetheart”. – VIDEO
Afro-Blue: “I Wanna Dance With Somebody, ” Whitney Houston – I love Afro-Blue, but I’m not loving this so much. It feels a little sloppy, and the arrangement doesn’t bring anything new or fresh to the song. The performance explodes in the last verse, however, improving this song exponentially. Still, it took the group too long to get there. And it was messy. Still love them, though. Shawn: “That was a very entertaining and smart arrangement. You did the perfect job of keeping the original, and adding the afro-harmony.” Ben: The first chorus seemed a little separated. I felt that the second chorus came together beautifully.” Sara: “I loved the wedding march at the end! I was missing some of the meat in the middle. It went a little sharp for me at the end, but you were fun to watch.” – VIDEO
Pentatonix: “Video Killed the Radio Star, ” Buggles – The group got a bad critique last week, and they are second guessing themselves. that’s not good. Two seconds in and I ALREADY LOVE THIS SO DAMN MUCH. Great harmonies. Love the lead singer, How can 5 singers make such a big sound? They’re singing with a wink and some cool Max Headroom moves. LOVES. What the hell was that little space age warble? AWESOME. Sara: “You make really distinct, specific, deliberate choices. Your drum and bass section is so solid.” Shawn: “You guys are sent back from the future to save a capella. This eletro-magnet, space age music is right up your alley.” Ben: “You hit on something with this one. It’s such a nerdy song! You didn’t go robotic on the vocal. Great work.” – VIDEO
Deltones: “Listen to Your Heart, ” Roxette – I’ve liked these guys in the past, but this is just boring me. They need to take it bigger, the background vocals are monotone. I’m too unmotivated to even critique them. They’re in danger of going home. Ben: Thinks they always sing earnestly. They shouldn’t have on this song. He thinks they should have brought it bigger. Thinks they need to be more distinct. Sara: “The song choice might have been too serious. I liked the song.” Shawn: “Courtney, You have a very beautiful voice. I would love to hear more dynamics.” They have a lot of heart, but it may not be enough. – VIDEO
Urban Method: “Poison, ” Bell Biv Devoe – Shawn has a connection to Bell Biv Devoe, so the song is a risky choice. OMG This song! This group seamlessly marries the two worlds of a Capella and rap. Here, they nail the technicals and the vocals, while still keeping a sense of humor. Shawn: “You took on the premise of the record. You guys arranged it good, sexy, fun, flirty. You did your thing.” Ben: “Richard, you were swinging that. Loads of fun. It grooved from the beginning to the end.” Sara: “That was so much fun. Troy, your vocals are versatile. Polished, well delivered performance.” LOL. Ben reveals his nerdy rapping skills. – VIDEO
Vocal Point: “Footloose, ” Kenny Loggins – Their missing member Ben is back. His dad died of leukemia. Ben is apprehensive about joining the guys at this stage of the game. This could be a tad bit more energetic, but the harmonies are good, great leads–especially the high notes. Lots of fun, these guys. Ben: “That was some of the first rock and roll I’ve heard out of the a capella groups. The falsettos are giving a lot of the energy. Glad that Ben’s back.” Sara: “I think Kenny Loggins would love that performance. It was grooving a lot for me.” Shawn: “With each song, you’ve shown at least 20 different personalities. It was so much fun.” – VIDEO
Second elimination: Pentatonix and Urban Method are safe. Vocal Point are also safe. Afro Blue are safe. The Deltones head home. The right choice. Their swan song is “Goodbye to You”. – VIDEO
