The Collective are Eliminated
I thought the sing-off should have been between Vocal Point and Delilah this week, with Vocal Point going home. But no way were a group who dedicated their performance to the dead father of a group member going anywhere. So, it ended up being The Collective, who I think improved somewhat this week. But you know what? I’m OK with the results. The Nashville super-group has been spotty throughout the competition, so it’s all good.
The new contenders? Pentatonix. This 5 member powerhouse always rise to the challenge with risky and innovative performances. Each of the members add something incredible to the mix. The sum is much much larger than the parts–it’s unreal how they get that big sound out of their small group. They are my new favorites.
How about you? What did you think of tonight’s show?
Yo. The remaining 8 groups on tonight’s The Sing-Off perform Hip-Hop songs. Should be interesting! Hang out and chat while I live blog!
Opening number: “Nothin’ On You, ” B.o.B. & Bruno Mars – Ooooh. This could have been trainwrecky–it’s a little busy, but it’s good! – VIDEO
Two brackets of 4 groups will perform. The bottom of each group will sing off against each other at the end of the show. The judges will then pick which of the bottom 2 goes home.
Dartmouth Aires: “Club Can’t Handle Me, ” Flo Rida – Hip hop has been a struggle for the rock-loving Dartmouth Aires. Four chords aren’t much to work with, so they say. Henry is going to rap for the 1st time. The rapping is a little white bread, but Henry’s getting all the words. This is tons of fun, and the background vocals are full and joyful. I’m loving the choreography. FUN FUN FUN. Digging this way more than what they did last week. Good job. Go Dartmouth! Sara: I wrote down swagger. I loved the energy. Song arr. had a nice arc. Rushed, but then settled in. A whole lotta fun. Shawn: First show to dedicate a show to Hip-hop. You kept the integrity of the record, but then added your vibe. I’d hang out with you at a party. Henry you hung out like a pro. Ben: It was fun. Micheal, timbre of your voice was interesting. First prime-time show to have polka-hip hop. Tenors have a beautiful sound. A lot of fun from beginning to end. – VIDEO
Afro-Blue: “Killing Me Softly With His Song, ” Fugees – They’ve come up with a fusion of the Roberta Flack/Fugees version. Hm. Sounds like they’re going to cheeeaatt. They are obviously not comfortable with hip-hop. It’s a very nice version, but it’s really more jazz than hip hop. the begin with hip-hop elements that they eventually lose. There was a lot going on in that arrangement sounded kind of schizo to me. LOL at Ben rhyming. Ben: That was gorgeous. The lead was beautiful. Thank you guys. That was really you. Sara: That was such a flawless arrangement and performance of that song. You melded it beautifully together. Shawn: I could here that on the radio, record or live concert. That was dope. – VIDEO
The Collective: “Give Me Everything, ” Pitbull – The message of the song–partying til you drop-not what the Collective are about! They feel at a disadvantage. This is a pleasant surprise. The group sounds together. It’s a good arrangement with great harmonies.. No one singer is taking the lead, which in this case is a plus (I’m NOT a Ruby fan, and she seems to get most of the leads, but not here). The blend is getting better and better. Shawn: Like that you let your hair down. Some spots in the middle where you lost the groove. You harmonized well. Sara: This was really ambitious and I applaud you for going for it. You did things we haven’t seen yet. There was a lot of fluctuation rhythmically. Ben: David, wicked awesome (he did some rapping), You are nailing the blending, you need a little more rhythm section. – VIDEO
Vocal Point: “I’ll Be Missing You, ” Puff Daddy – Ben’s father died right before the competition began. He was back last week to sing for the first time. These super-white Mormon guys don’t feel comfortable with hip-hop. So, this week they pick a P-diddy ballad and dedicate it to Ben’s dad. Eh. This is a bit unfair? A little pandering. And I’m not hearing a drip of hip-hop here. Ben was back? Time to roll up your sleeves and get back to work. Enough. So yeah. This is just a’ight and not really appropriate to the theme. It doesn’t matter if that’s a bottom 2 performance. They just manipulated their way to another week. Blargh. Shawn: Honorable dedication to your father. This was about taking a song and making it your own. There were some key issues, but I felt it. Sara: How brave you guys are to pick something so emotional. I heard some pitch problems, but you made yourselves vulnerable. Ben: Beautiful. First group to make me cry on TV. Melody made a lot of sense too. The groove was good. The backbeat could have been more definite. – VIDEO
Result: Who is headed for the Sing-off battle at the end of the show? Afro Blue and Dartmouth Airs are safe. Vocal Point advances. The Collective will perform in the sing-off. I disagree with this decision. It should have been Vocal Point. = VIDEO
Urban Method: “Airplanes, ” B.o.B. featuring Hayley Williams – Sure these guys are performing right in their wheelhouse, so they better be awesome! And they are. Great rhythm, harmonies. Lead vocals are superb (I agree with Ben). Mike continues to bring it. Shawn: Liked the groove, but wished that Liz & Katie’s lead was a bit stronger.I thought that was brilliant. The tension at the beginning was really artful. Katie & Liz did a good job. That was a mean groove, it held the whole time. Sara: A really strong performance. Bass and beatbox is so strong, so heavy and thick. Consistent, and grooves so hard. Also felt like the girls lead needed to give more. Mike you are a superstar. Really well done. – VIDEO
Pentatonix: “Love Lockdown, ” Kanye West – They feel like they are in major competition with Urban Method, but really this group of talented singers have nothing to worry about. This 5 member group has a groove all it’s own. It’s amazing how they create such a big full sound. And once again, they do not disappoint. Fantastic arrangement, awesome rhythm and tight tight tight. The lead is powerful. I have no criticisms. None. I’m beginning to see this group as major, major contenders. They bring it every week. Sara: You feel it when somebody has been in the sweet spot. You delivered. You know how to push this genre to the edge. Everybody’s part is well placed and well thought out. Ben: That was primal. Kevin still looks pissed off! Nice work guys. Shawn: I’m in awe of all of you. You guys have always been risk takers. That performance was cold. Good job. (Yeah he liked it, he really really liked it.) – VIDEO
Delilah: “How to Love, ” Lil Wayne – They feel they don’t have the rhythm section to handle hip-hop. This is nice, but it’s not hip-hop. It’s also a little sloppy. They have never lived up to the promise of the group’s first, striking performance. However, where they shine is singing big emotional ballads. The emotion is there–they needed to make it tighter. Shawn: That was amazing. You took a song that has a lot of emotional and lyrics–you have a knack for taking it to an emotional level. It was an emotional rendition of a Lil Wayne song. Ben: I think your frustration the past couple of weeks have paid off. You’ve come out the other end. Sara: You guys have a very strong, powerful feminine energy. You mean what you’re saying up there. – VIDEO
Yellowjackets: “The Show Goes On, ” Lupe Fiasco – Jamal is doing the rap for the kids in Kenya. They’re going to give the prize money to the kids? Really? Big and full–beautiful harmonies, although I agree with the judges, there could be more dynamics. Jamal is working the rhyme. Nice job. Ben: You guys always bring heart to your performances. You mean every note. I’m missing the mind over muscle. Use dynamics a little more. Sara: You guys are all heart. Makes me smile. This felt a little fast to me. I loved it when things settled. Shawn: You guys nailed such a difficult song to do. I wish you guys locked in more of the element of surprise, but a good performance. – VIDEO
I think the Yellow Jackets are in trouble, although if it were up to me, I’d send Delilah into the sing-off.
Pentatonix and Delilah are moving on to the next week. Urban Method are also safe. The Yellowjackets sing in the sing off. – VIDEO
The Sing Off – VIDEO
The Collective – “Just a Dream, ” Nelly – This was solid, although there were some tuning issues, and the leads are still not good.
Yellowjackets – “Just a Dream, ” Nelly – Eh. I wish this had been better. The backgrounds totally overpowered the lead vocal. Although, I think they kept their arrangement more in the spirit of the genre.
If I were choosing who to send home based strictly on this performance, it would be The Collective, but not decisively. Taking the entire season into consideration–I’d definitely send home the Collective. The Yellow Jackets have been, overall, more consistent.
Shawn – Yellow Jackets
Ben – Collective
Sara (tie breaker) – The Yellow Jackets.
HOORAY. The Collective are eliminated. They sing off with “Knocking on Heavens Door” by Bob Dylan. – VIDEO
