Delilah are eliminated
I would have sent Urban Method home tonight. Their first number was a hot mess. I know Delilah never lived up to the promise of their very 1st performance, but I thought both their numbers were pretty great, even if the 2nd was a little pitchy. I appreciated the earnest emotion they brought to each number. I’m going to miss them.
Tonight, the remaining 6 groups on The Sing-Off perform 2 numbers in two themes: Classic Rock and New Country! Those hip-hoppers, Urban Method, will be covering none other than “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood.
Live blog below!
OPENING NUMBER: “Wake Up,” Arcade Fire (Whoa. Arcade Fire! And it does not suck)
CLASSIC ROCK
Pentatonix: “Born to Be Wild,” Steppenwolf – Kirsti has been sick and is worried about her part. The group’s 2 percussionists NEVER fail to be fabulous. They begin the song with the sound of engines revving. They hold down the bottom aggressively, convincingly. Scott is incredible and as powerful as ever. Kristi sounds fantastic. Really.This fricking competition is over. Let’s just hand the crown over to them now. BREATHTAKING. Heavy metal thunder, indeed. – VIDEO
Dartmouth Aires: “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” Twisted Sister – One of their basses had to leave this week. Uh oh. These guys always have their tongues in their cheeks, while taking their singing totally serious. Full sound, fun choreography. Not really missing the extra bass. The choir boy section was especially lulzy. So much fun. Sean: You guys are having too much fun. Ben: Loads of fun. Like a musical. Didn’t miss the bass. Even more ridiculous than the original. The pitch fell off at one point. Sara: You took the genre, and injected it with what makes you special. Fun from beginning to end. – VIDEO
Afro-Blue: “American Girl,” Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – There are members who have never heard this song. The group is scaling it back this week after the judges criticized them last week for being too complex. But I didn’t find ANYTHING wrong with what they did with the Janet Jackson medley last week. Their take on Tom Petty was clueless, and trivial and their hearts weren’t in it. Where was the soul? I was bored. Ben: The top was especially good. Keep your eye and ear on the song. Didn’t like the Anthem thrown in. Don’t dumb it down. Sara: I enjoyed the performance, but I didn’t see you guys in it. Sean: I feel like you might have been slightly intimidated by it. Learn how it relates to you. – VIDEO
Delilah: “Dream On,” Aerosmith – Personally, I love the girls’ serious vibe. When they are really feeling what they are singing, I find them completely mesmerizing. And I did here. The vocals were beautiful, powerful, and the lead singer was able to manage those killer Tyler high notes. Really moving. Loved it. Sean: That was rock n roll. Amy I saw a female Steven Tyler. It was what it was supposed to be. Ben: I thought that indeed rocked. I felt the song. Sara: I love you. That was a sick lead. This wasn’t my favorite performance. – VIDEO
Urban Method: “Here I Go Again,” Whitesnake – Hm. White snake hip hop style? I’m not really buying this. Was it necessary to totally reinvent the whole song. Parts of this were OK. The rapping was awful. Very inconsistent. Ben: That was really good. You nailed that. The groove was great. You made me like the song. Sara: You are tenacious as hell and so hungry. Glad you choose to take risks. Sean: I loved how the arrangement. It was entertaining, it rocked. – VIDEO
Vocal Point: “You Really Got Me,” The Kinks – These clean cut white boys were so so convincing singing the raunchy Kinks hit “You Really Got Me”. Not. The group is killing the background vocals though. Love the arrangement. The sound is full from top to bottom. Sara: How adorable are they. Stage presence, charisma. Proper rock n roll right there. Sean: Is that how they do it in Provo? You showed a little bad boy. You put your stamp on the song. Ben: Loads of fun. Lots of rock in it, hair metal element. Not a choice I would have made. I would have preferred to stay cool, less Vegas (Is Ben forgetting the Van Halen version? I think that’s the version the boys were going for. Nothing more Vegas than David Lee Roth). – VIDEO
NEW COUNTRY
Dartmouth Aires: “Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy,” Big & Rich – The group has southern roots, but for the most part, don’t listen to country. There sure is A LOT going on in this song. The arrangement is busy, and they are singing it sloppily. It’s kind of a mess. I DON’T like the octave thing the two lead singers are doing. They managed to bring some of that Dartmouth Aires fun to the song, but really, my least favorite of their performances. Ben: Whoooo! That was fun. Michael and Will–great performance. Love the Octave thing. The groove and the bottom end were a little loose. Like a Broadway show. Sean: You make it enjoyable to watch. Little flubs, but entertaining and fun to watch. Sara: (They took their hats off for Sara) I thought you guys do what you do really well. Things came a little loose. – VIDEO
Afro-Blue: “Need You Now,” Lady Antebellum – This is a PERFECT song choice for Afro-Blue. Very easy to adapt their jazz chords to the melody. Absolutely beautiful. Loving this. Unlike their rock tune, they are really feeling the song. Makes all the difference in the world. The leads were especially good. Several members of the group are moved to tears. Wow. Sara: I am emotional right now. That was really special. Triumphant moment for you guys. I was in the moment with you guys. Ben: You clocked into the song. Generous, fantastic performance. Sean: It connected. I’m emotional. – VIDEO
Urban Method: “Before He Cheats,” Carrie Underwood – I’m really glad they didn’t try to “reinterpret” this song. I was afraid the hip hop guy was going to break into a rap. Nope. Instead, they put the girls out front and did it as a straight up country song. And they pulled it off! The girls were really really good. I’m impressed. Sean: Sassy Katie! Nice to see you come out of your shell. Sara: That was awesome. All 3 of you girls have shed those insecurities. Ben: You’ve found your gift again. You worked your way out of a slump. – VIDEO
Delilah: “If I Die Young,” The Band Perry – This is a perfect song for the group. Very pretty harmonies. Simple, but beautiful and heartfelt. Sara: everyone’s crying tonight! You put a lot of emotion in it. You came out of the gate with some pitch problems. Sean: You never lack emotion. I never not believe you. I heard so many waves. You were having a hard time locking. Technically it wasn’t as sound as I wanted it to be. Ben: Emotionally conpelling, but technically under from what I’m used to from you guys. – VIDEO
Vocal Point: “Life Is A Highway,” Rascal Flatts – Tight harmonies, nice leads. It’s a little on the boring side, but maybe I feel that way, because I’m not a Rascal Flatts fan. The boys don’t change it up much. Ben: Hang on to your hat. The lead sounded right. Very entertaining. Sara: When you finish, you’re all so proud of yourselves. So frickin cute. Felt rushed in some spots. Blend was great. Energetic. Sean: I did enjoy that. Good performance. I think the judges were were a little bored, too. – VIDEO
Pentatonix: “Stuck Like Glue,” Sugarland – Aw. The edgy Pentatonix goes all charming! But then, Mike comes in with a reggae beat to spice it up. An inventive, but simple arrangement that feels full and complete. These guys are AMAZING. If they don’t take it all, I’m gonna cut a bitch. Shawn: Simplest arrangement, but even that was fly. So glad you did that reggae breakdown. Ben: Kristie’s lead made me really happy. Sara: That’s as sweet as you guys have been. You did the song justice. – VIDEO
Elimination time! Pentatonix and Urban Method advance to the Top 5. Dartmouth Aires and Vocal Point are safe. Afro Blue are safe! Delilah are eliminated! They leave singing their Swan Song, “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child. – VIDEO
