This week’s performances were not up to par with last week’s near pitch perfect night of performances.
The kids had some problems with those 60s tunes. Thank God those 60’s veterans, North Shore, took the stage to save the day. “Unchained Melody” is a song the group has probably been performing for years. It’s kinda cheating, but who cares. Dartmouth Aires’ sumptuous “Pinball Wizard” is also noteworthy.
The Top 40 round was dominated by Pentatonix who successfully reworked Ke$ha. The Collective, the so-called Sing-Off super group, continue to underwhelm. I do not get the judges love for the lead singers, who I think are charisma free.
The judges are still doing a great job. But I had to laugh when Sara took a page from the Paula Abdul book of judging when she told the Deltones they were “so damn cute” instead of getting honest about the group’s trainwrecky rendition of “You Can’t Hurry Love”.
Sonos were eliminated, and I’m fine with that. They barely got by last week. They managed to make “Viva La Vida” work, but their total re-working of “I Want You Back”? Did. Not. Want. Ugh. Way to ruin a classic. The group, accustomed to performing with loop pedals, aren’t really an a’cappella group at all. I’m not sure what they were doing in the competition in the first place.
Sonos is eliminated
The two brackets join next week as the Top 10 take on guilty pleasures!
Live blogging the Sing-Off right here! Videos coming later
The 2nd set of 6 contestants perform “Rhythm of Love, ” by the Plain White T’s. That was very chipper!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9AIjgB1FvA
CURRENT HITS
Deltones: “The Edge of Glory, ” Lady Gaga – The Deltones are underdogs, in danger of going home this week if they don’t step up their game. They changed their arrangement several times in rehearsal. I love the lead girls, but the backgrounds sound a little off. Good arrangement–it’s full and intricate. The performance isn’t as tight as it could be. Shawn: Great job, solid. Courtney: You did your job. Thought bass did their job. Sara: I thought it suited you really well, Courtney, you killed the lead. It felt a little static. Solid. Good job. Ben: It took on a little country thing for me. I thought it was weak on the top. Solid performance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo2ubM7CenA
Pentatonix: “Your Love Is My Drug, ” Ke$ha – The groups plan is to totally remix the song. Rhythm section sounds like it’s looped. Very tight. Wow. Five voices doing a great job of performing an interesting arrangement that’s both tech-tastic, but also warm and catchy. Ben: The risky arrangement didn’t quite work for me at the top. You’re really strong with you’re freaking out. But you guys are off the hook. Shawn: I think you’ve found your niche. I’m a Scott fan. You have a gift and a curse. You sing too well for Ke$sha. He liked Mitch too. Sara: You have a real signature sound. Bass and Drums “blew my face off.” Scott you are obviously a beast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPnsCov82BM
The Collective: “Rocketeer, ” Far East Movement – This Sing-Off super group performed under expectation last week. They had a lot of work to do. These guys aren’t doing it for me. Don’t like the leads, the arrangements are dull, and the backgrounds still don’t sound cohesive. I find my attention drifting off. Sara: Rachel, you powered through like a trouper (she’s got laryngitis). Ruby, I love your style. I loved the jazzy approach. Ben: Rachel you pulled it off. The blend is getting better. Shawn: Rhythm section got lost in the shuffle, but is getting more cohesive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_JD5l-Hva8
North Shore: “Lazy Song, ” Bruno Mars – The old geezers from North Shore don’t listen to the radio any more. Whoops. They are going to give the Lazy Song a shot. Sitting on couches while they sing. Props! This song is sooooo cheesy. It fits their do-wop style well enough, but it’s just a little too cutsey for my taste. But that’s the song’s problem, not the performers. Oh no. Whistling! They’re pros, these guys. Sara: I love you guys you’re so damn adorable. What a great version of that song. Perfectly suited for your style. Love your personality. Effortless. Chemistry is clearly defined. Shawn: You guys owned the song. Tommy-you held it down with the bass. Guy you are a joy to watch. You are so much fun to watch. Ben: The groove in the lead voice was awesome. Marveled at ability to whistle instead of breathing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDg4LsNOHU4
Dartmouth Aires: “Animal, ” Neon Trees – This new guy’s lead vocals are a little weak, he’s overpowered by the background vocals. The arrangement is clever, the bvgs are tight. Really fun choreography, but I wish they had last week’s lead back. He’s visiting his mom, who has been sick. Shawn: You guys have shown that you are true performers. Brendan–good job holding down the lead. Ben: The energy was over the top. Brendan, you told a story with your eyes. Basses very tight. Song sounded like a pop song. Sara: I thought that was awesome. Energy and excitement in your faces was apparent. Brendan, I thought you were just fantastic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tixzL17ERKI
Sonos: “Viva La Vida, ” Coldplay – Sonos was lost without their pedals last week. They don’t have a bass without them. That’s a problem! WAAAYYY better than last week. There’s not much bass, but the trebly sound is working in an arrangement, that verges on angelic. Likes. This song is hard to sing and could have been a real train wreck. Ben: That’s really improvement. The arrangement was smart you used everything you had. Girl singer handled male bass at one point. Sara: I’m proud of you for going for it. It was pitchy at times. Got stronger. Moments you were missing another voice. Shawn: Give it up for Ben. The little nuances that you add, add texture. You guys did not sound annoying at all. There were some pitchy parts, but you were alive on your strengths.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vnLcDFQ0e0
Ha ha ha. Nick Lachey pimps “The Playboy Club” which is no more. I think this theme was meant to work as a semi-promo for the show. Of course, there was no way to know what would happen back when they taped this in the summer.
’60s FAVORITES
Pentatonix: “Piece of My Heart” Janis Joplin – I really love this lead singer a lot, though I’m not sure I’m enjoying this particular song being given the a’capella faux reggae treatment. This song was all about the soul and grit Janis brought to it. So, I’m kinda bored right now. Shawn: The reggae feel to all of that was great. Sara: I thought it was a smart choice to make it your own. It’s so great to know that you’re versatile. Ben: Felt they took a risk and nailed it. There was a moment when you could have slowed down a bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kRKGxi3qKA
Deltones: “You Can’t Hurry Love, ” The Supremes – This is a little sloppy, and the lead vocal underwhelming. Boy, she really messed up the words! This is not good. So far, the groups are killing these old tunes, but not in a good way. Sara: You guys are so damn cute. (That’s code for your vocals sucked). There’s some pitch issues that come and go. Keep going. She also calls them attractive. Oy. Ben: There’s time when it’s starting to fall apart. You’re making us all smile. Shawn: Liked the bass line. Jessica, very beautiful lead. I could have used more mid range. Love the outfits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOrqb41P09E
North Shore: “Unchained Melody, ” The Righteous Brothers – Here come NS to save us from sixties hell. Show em how it’s done boys. AND THEY DO. Beautiful arrangement, vocals top to bottom. Gorgeous. Sure it’s right in their wheelhouse, but it’s still freaking A+. The lead singer has a gorgeous falsetto. Audience giving them a standing ovation. Well deserved. Ben. Swooned like a little girl. The original is so emotion. First pitch issues happened in the second verse, but it was absolutely amazing. Needed to, because this is your turf. Shawn: I love the performance. Guy, your lead is like silk. Sara: That was a great performance. I think you guys are stellar.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzByQCKKpjY
The Collective: “Hold On I’m Coming, ” Sam & Dave – This is the best performance this group has given. Really like the gospel feel they gave the arrangement. It probably helped that there was no real lead singer. Ben: The out chorus took it to the people. Maybe you need to be less inhibited. He felt the end was the best. Shawn: You got to take us to church FAST. I wish I had a little bit more, sooner. Sara: It was fun to see Isaac step up. Sara also wanted to see it pick up sooner. I believe that you love what you do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orHTIrPULok
Sonos: “I Want You Back, ” Jackson 5 – Hmmmm. Not liking this arrangement AT ALL. Nope. Not working for me. It loses all the joy of the original. It’s a lead vocal with a bunch of beats behind it. No soul, no heart. A serious misstep. Ben: The reharm was interesting, but not effective. I wasn’t moving my feet, and I wasn’t engaged with the song. Shawn felt they messed too much with a classic. Sara: She sang it in college. “I like it when people switch up the arrangement. It shows innovation”. She felt they needed to throw back to the classic. She would have liked to hear it in a different key–more pleading.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c2rxiqJt0Y
Dartmouth Aires: “Pinball Wizard, ” The Who – Micheal is back on lead. Hooray. This is great. The full, orchestral-like vocal arrangement sounds grand. Fun choreography and more lulzworthy costuming. It’s a little pitchy in spots, but still pretty awesome. Sara: That was awesome. I feel like I just went to Tommy. Amazing. Loved the arrangement. I laughed I cried it was better than Cats! Ben: I think Pete Townshend would be proud of that arrangement. The arrangement at the end was silly, and I love silly. Transitions are great. Shawn: Michael you are a rockstar. Fun to watch. Great performance, great energy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS56ODBxLs8
I think Sonos blew it so bad on their second song, they’ll be heading home tonight.
RESULTS: North Shore and the Dartmouth Aires advance to the next round. So do Pentatonix and the Deltones. The Collective move on. Sonos is eliminated. Their swan song, “It’s so Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” pretty much demonstrates why they are leaving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5rHbmZn9O0
