Kinfolk 9 are eliminated
Another awesome night of singing from The Sing-Off! Each of the 6 groups had at least one shining moment. It’s a real testament to how great the talent is on The Sing-Off, that it’s only Week 3 and there’s no more cannon fodder to waste.
Having said that, I’ve got mixed feelings about the group that went home tonight. I think I would have sent the Yellow Jackets home instead. Their first performance was fun, energetic, but flawed. Their lead on the second song was week, and the performance a little too campy for my taste. Kinfolk 9 was also flawed, but I really appreciated the groups heart and passion. I think they had potential.
What did you think of this week’s Sing-Off?
The first bracket of the Top 12 perform tonight!
EW posted spoilers today, here’s tonight’s song list, and I’ll fill in as we go along.
The show opens with all 6 groups performing Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know”. Nice. (Glee’s a’capella group, The Warblers this song on the show. Who recorded the vocals for that fictional group? Why Season 1’s runner-ups, The Beelzebubs!)
Six groups will sing two songs each. Themes are Current Hits and 1960s favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beLRU_w4x10
CURRENT HITS
Vocal Point – “Never Say Never, ” Justin Bieber – Group member Ben is still not back from his family emergency. His father passed away. One of the members was once in a boy band. I can’t get too excited over this song pick. Surely there were better choices. Having said that, the group sings with crisp, precise harmonies. All the lead singers are strong and their choreography is totally pro. Ben: I’ll never say I can’t enjoy Beiber sung by a bunch of Mormons. I just smiled the entire time. You sang the hell out of it. Sara: Has a few words for Ben. You’re like a bunch of wholesome Thundercats. Parts that felt a little stiff, but I thought it was awesome. Shawn: Fun to see a Bieber song sung by a bunch of grown man. Very entertaining. Good job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsd3fSscA64
Delilah: “Whataya Want From Me, ” Adam Lambert – It’s been difficult for them to find the PERFECT arrangement. Each of the women take the stage, adding one voice at a time. It’s sung like a hymn. Very pretty harmonies. The girls all sharing lead. There’s no clear lead. The powerhouse singer from last week finally steps out. I kinda wish she took lead on the whole song, but nice effort. It was a very difficult arrangement. Shawn: You gave a window to how to build harmonies. The drama, the feeling was there. Great job. Ben: We understood the song. I’ve heard the song a million times, but I understood it better this time. (RUH RHO). Sara: You are all powerhouse vocalists. Amy: You came in a little sharp.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_t-XXIiyII
Urban Method: “Just Can’t Get Enough, ” Black Eyed Peas – Rap A’Capella! They completely rearranged the song after the first version proved unworkable – Female and male singers trade off lead vocals. The female singer is particularly strong. When the rap begins it’s startling, but it’s a show stopper. A lot of music packed into a very tight, complicated (but not overly busy) arrangement. Good stuff. Sara: You all just sparkle like Katy Perry’s fireworks. Shawn: I like you guys, because you have a unique niche. Rhythm and bass are holding the whole thing down. Bass: I really dug it. Troy’s vocal kept me in the song. It’s produced well. It’s music of the studio. Ambitious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6ei-I-AeOA
Afro-Blue: “American Boy, ” Estelle – Afro blue does not sing pop songs at all. No wonder the song they picked…isn’t really all that current. Ohhhhh. This is soooo smooth and sweet! Love, love the arrangement. Perfect harmonies. Old school jazz. Love it. Shawn: He’s losing his mind. You took me there. He says it brings him back to the days of zoot suits and Duke Ellington. Sara: Amazing. It went through so many different dimensions. She admires their dance moves! Ben: I was blown away. How do ya’ll remember all that stuff. Blend amazing, arrangement stellar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u1gwyKC4s0
Yellowjackets: “Dynamite, ” Taio Cruz – Song is at the top of the lead singer’s range. They’ve switched up their yellow jackets. Ok I LOVE THIS. The harmonies are so lush and full. It’s a little messy in the middle, but the performance is so infectious, I can forgive them. Ben: They sell every inch of it. He thinks Jamal’s voice is interesting. The middle needed more stomp. Pitch tolerance is wide, and bring a party to your performance very time. Shawn: He likes Jamal too. Wanted more bass, but overall a fun performance. Sara: You guys are all heart. So adorable on stage. The groove moved a litte here and there, but you guys are so sweet. It sounded massive–it was really impressive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjDMHAG5Imo
Kinfolk 9: “Price Tag, ” Jessie J – They realize they are the underdogs and that they have to work on their blend. The group’s sound has tightened up since their last performance, and I am impressed with the female leads. Very nice. They’ve got some stiff competition, however. The performance was solid, but nowhere as good as some of the others. Sara: There were a lot of really wonderful moments. Good job. You didn’t grab me from the get-go. She wants a little more from one of the female leads. The energy began to expand in the middle. Ben: Serious improvement. The group came together this time. Bass made it groove. Shawn: A solid performance. Vibe was smooth. More dynamics, but good job.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2J07kztah8
So far, I would say Yellow Jackets and Kinfolk are in trouble.
The groups talk about what the 60’s mean to them. I love discussions of ancient history!
1960s FAVORITES
Delilah: “Heatwave, ” Martha & the Vandellas – The 60’s girl group thing is PERFECT for Delilah. Not only are the harmonies spot on, and the leads perfect, they are letting their hair down on this one. A completely different side of the group! These chicks are KEEPERS. Ben: It’s a song you can’t outsmart. It was a bit static, but you were stuck with a lot of alto range. It wasn’t quite up to what you were doing. Sara: There was something about the arrangement that was missing for me. Shawn: He loves the bass. Thought the 2nd voice was a bit shaky. Wanted more middle range. I disagree with the judges on this one. I liked that they gave us something different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiWG6wKjl84
Urban Method: “Dance to the Music, ” Sly and the Family Stone – This is the perfect a-capella song, come to thing with it, the way the tune celebrates all the elements that make up a groove. Wild, fun arrangement. That was really funky! There was no rap in the song, and I did not miss it. Shawn: That’s how you do it. It move the way it was supposed to move. That was a great performance. Ben: You really showed your singer side. You grabbed on to it from the beginning and never let go. It seemed like there was aband behind you. Best performance yet. Sara: It’s Sara’s too. Out of the box. Love being surprised by unexpected moments. Awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feEjm8ToAjE
Vocal Point: “The Way You Look Tonight, ” Frank Sinatra – Oh wow. They switch to a jazz groove and really pull it off! I would not expect these guys to have the standard thing going on. The background vocals are intricately and expertly delivered. This is so much better then their first performance. The lead vocal is full of croony goodness. Stellar! Sara: I’m swooning. It feels so polished and theatrical and earnest. You’re such a cute little rat pack. Shawn: That was really really really good. That was some swanky singing. Slick, smooth and masculine. Ben: Thought I was listening to a big band up there. Sick performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-ZpvMytXrs
Afro-Blue: “I Heard It Through the Grapevine, ” Marvin Gaye – This is solid, but not as compelling as their first performance. The arrangement is a little busy for me. The didn’t really bring anything new to the song. Ben: The arrangement picked some fights. You were going over our heads. I felt like I went through the carwash backwards. Soulful, executed really well. You overthought it a bit much. Shawn: Trent, you grabbed that. The modulation was effortless. Sara. You’re so committed to whatever choices you are making. The bass is amazing. She calls the lead sweet and soulful. She wanted the arrangement to turn back to the 60’s at the end. Ben and I are sharing a brain on this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Gxs7IQkWs
Yellowjackets: “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You, ” Frankie Valli – The lead singing is weak. They’re camping up the 4 seasons more than it needs to be. But the arrangements are again lush and full. The lead finishes at the judges’ table, kissing the hand of a swooning Sara. Sara: I’m blushing. Oh Erin that was so sweet! You guys are just so fantastic. It felt like a really polished performance. Ben: That was really great. You nailed the style. The falsettos were dead on. He loves the camaraderie. Shawn: He playfully calls Erin a “suckup” It was great! It sounded like real instruments. You guys were great.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te1k5ZVme7o
Kinfolk 9: “Let It Be, ” The Beatles – The male lead from last week is back. His vocals are full of emotion, so I’m glad he’s back. The rest of the group functions as a choir behind him. This is a beautiful arrangement! Very nice. Standing o from the audience. Shawn: You changed a Beatles song into a gospel. That was powerful. You took it to another level. It felt layered. Sara: You are so emotive and expressive. It was so natural. Well done: Ben: Outstanding performance. You really sing with a lot of soul. The group was backing you up spiritually. You needed to open up a little, but it was your best performance yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMj2x9ZOEX0
Who should go home! It’s going to be tough. Each group had their moment to shine. Not a dud in this bunch.
Results! Vocal Point and Urban Method are safe. Yellow Jackets and Afro Blue are safe! It was a hard decision. Delilah are Safe. Kinfolk 9 sing their swan song, “Loser” by Beck.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc9I3OTbXRQ
