The X Factor heads into the semi-finals.
The show begins with a replay of last week’s clusterf*ck elimination of Rachel Crow. I guess they could not resist. Next week is the Season finale featuring the remaining 3 finalists.
The Top 4 will finally sing the songs picked for them via online voting. The other song…Steve doesn’t want to tell us yet!
There will be no final showdown and no judges decision tomorrow. Thank jeebus. The first song for each contestant will be the song chosen in the Pepsi challenge.
HA HA HA. The audience is still booing Nicole. Loves it.
Yikes. We’re in the homestretch of X Factor and the performances could not have been any more predictable. Let’s begin with the song choices. And let’s back up to Marcus Canty, whom mentor, LA Reid, was clearly throwing under the bus to ensure the safety of his chosen one, Chris Rene. I mean, “Careless Whisper” done as cheesy disco? While Chris gets to rework a girl song? I can’t imagine America voting Macus through on LA’s horrible pick, plus a tired Boys II Men joint. I think Marcus is finally toast.
“Feeling Good” and “Hallelujah” have BOTH been done to death on reality shows. Jennifer Hudson has been busy making sure EVERYONE is sick of “Feeling Good” thanks to her ubiquitous Weight Watchers commercials. Melanie and Josh both did solid versions of the tunes. But if their mentors were thinking either one could have a moment with these over done picks? Dream on.
The contestant with the most potential for pop success is still Chris Rene. He’s not a good singer, but he’s a songwriter and a mucician. His vocals can be fixed in the studio. His competition all seem hopelessly stuck in another time–Melanie, as an old style Whitney belter, Marcus as a R&B crooner and Josh as a 7o’s rock wailer. Melanie and Marcus could perhaps be fashioned into something a little more modern–like a Beyonce and Usher respectively–but they both lack star quality. Chris, at least has some charisma. Josh is just hopelessly retro.
But I’m underwhelmed by the entire Top 4. Best performance of the night was Melanie’s “Feeling Good” but that did not have me jumping up and down. To be honest, I really don’t care who wins next week.
Marcus Canty – LA Reid – Boys – I’ll Make Love to You by Boys II Men – LA calls him “3 time save me song champion” like it’s something AWESOME. Well, that’s one way to spin that he can’t stay out of the bottom 2. Marcus sings these old fashioned songs so well, but I cannot imagine this music coming out of my radio. Not only is it super-retro (not in a good way) but really really generic. At this stage of the game, Marcus has to show us something really really special. He’s not. Nicole: You are bringing sexy back! You do it in a really classy way. Good job. Paula: You are the entertainer of this group. Solid performance. Simon: Your mentor (people are booing) is responsible for the staging–the rose the zombie dancers–it was very distracting, corny. Simon thinks they should have changed the song up. (That might have helped) LA: It takes great taste to know great taste. You still give me your all. I stand by you. – 1-855-843-9301 Text vote to 9301
Chris Rene – LA Reid – Boys – “Fly” by Sugar Ray – Well, the singing in this performance isn’t as painful as it usually is. As long as he can stick to songs, with like, 3 notes, he should be OK. This reggae light isn’t really played on the radio anymore. He needs to do an original, or remix a cover for his next song. Nicole: You just make us feel good. Congratulations honey. Paula: You look like 5m bucks after taxes. You can communicate with the world. Simon: I liked the performance, it wasn’t a mega vocal. You’ve got to come out next time with a lot of conviction, a lot of focus. LA: You have the sparkle of a star. Just keep doing what your doing. It works. (LA is using recovery speak?) 1-855-843-9302 Text vote to 9302
Melanie Amaro – Simon Cowell – Girls – “Hero” by Mariah Carey – Simon says they put a little twist on it. It’s still a ballad, but now in a minor key. It sounds slightly off rather than different or unique. She never takes it to a big place, which is probably a good thing. But this version didn’t knock my socks off. Melanie is still a solid, diva-style belter. Serviceable, but nothing outrageously special. I’m not seeing a star. LA: That was really really good. It’s predictable, but America chose it. I didn’t feel your usual passion. love for the song. But you took it there. Nicole: I love that America chose this song for you. I love the message. It’s perfect and fitting that YOU are singing this song. You’ve grown into the woman that you are. You are liberating to all of us. Paula: Your voice is impeccable. (Paula knows one of the co-writers and invited him to sit in the audience) Paula didn’t like that the major chords were turned minor, but felt Melanie made it work. Simon: Thinks she put her stamp on it and will be remembered for it. Hm. “That was bloody fantastic.” – 1-855-843-9303 Text vote to 9303
Josh Krajick – Nicole Scherzinger – Over 30s – “Come Together” by The Beatles – Josh does his Joe Cocker impression to cover the Beatles. Like Melanie, he’s a very good singer in his genre. But he’s old fashioned. And I’m just not seeing a star. At least this song suits him. He seemed real comfortable up on stage. LA: I rather enjoyed that. It’s the best I’ve seen you in a few weeks. I’ve always pictured you as a guy who could win. You’ve made a return. Paula: You attack our souls. You get into us. I would pay anything to see you perform live on stage. Simon: I agree with LA. You’ve come back, you’ve come back strong. Just you a song…it would be a massive shame if you didn’t make it to the finals. Simon calls Nicole “Cruella” Nicole: You are never rehearsed. Something else comes over you. You are just living and breathing that fire. Nicole and Simon argue throughout her critique. Zzzzz. – 1-855-843-9304 Text vote to 9304
Marcus Canty – LA Reid – Boys – “Careless Whisper” by George Michael – Marcus talks about Rachel’s elimination. And his mom. He’s a fighter who will fight until the end. I hope I don’t fall asleep first. Marcus turns this 8o’s classic ballad into a corny Vegas number, with confetti and dancers gyrating behind him. It’s pure cheesy disco–the kind of arrangement that would be given to one of the X Factor UK joke contestants. It’s shocking. We’re at the semi-finals and these performances so far are bush league. Blah. Nicole: That is an unexpected song. But I love that you did your thing on it. Love the dancers and production. You’re already a champion and a winner. Paula: It’s contemporary. It worked. Proud of you. Simon: That was horrific. The song was absolutely wrong. Like being in a Vegas show like it’s 1983. This was a joke. You deserve better. LA: What I just witnessed is a guy who gives a fabulous performance, including this week. Tonight you looked like a champion.
Chris Rene – LA Reid – Boys – “No One” by Alicia Keys – Chris says 7 months ago, he was still learning how to be clean and sober. Dude, you’re still learning. Just Sayin. LA reveals that Chris is a fantastic musician. This week, we’ll be pulling out all the stops! Chris talks about his dad passing away, and cries. That should be good for some votes. Chris is playing piano this week. Well, this was a bold choice. And very risky, because Chris can’t really sing and this is a singers song. After the first verse, Chris gets up from the piano to join the dancers. Eh. The song is way too big for him. Nicole: I’m going to have to keep it real. You don’t have the best voice in the competition. Your spirit transcends across the universe. You believe. I believe. We believe in you (WHAT??? I have no words.) Paula: I love you. I love everything about you. This is a performance to get you into the finals. Simon: You just delivered big time. Your dad would be incredibly proud. You’ve got heart, Chris. You deserve everything that’s going to come your way. LA: I’m so proud of you. Lovability is not about singing. And you have lovability. (Babbling about “lovability”? WTF?)
Melanie Amaro – Simon Cowell – Girls – “Feeling Good” – LOL there goes Simon, showing us what an original, creative thinker he is. NOT. This song has been done to death on singing shows. I’ll give it to Melanie. She sang the song well, and hit a killer high note at the end. It was the performance of the night, and will help her sail into next week’s final, but I would not call that performance “original” LA: You’re the greatest female that’s ever graced this stage. (LOL. And there’s been so many) Really great song choice. You killed it. Good job, Simon. Nicole: It’s a new life for you. That was the Melanie Amaro anthem. Paula: Well done Melanie Bravo. Simon: This is why we brought the show to America. I always dreamt that we’d find someone like you. Your greatest performance of the show so far. Please put this girl in the finals.
Josh Krajcik – Nicole Scherzinger – Over 30s – “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen – Josh talks about how his brother gave him a place to stay when he was down and out. OMG. I am now literally laughing my ass off. Seriously? HALLELUJAH? Ugh. These song choices tonight? Too many Idol retreads (Come Together, Feeling Good, Hero–all sung better on Idol) Josh did a very nice, sensitive rendition of “Hallelujah” but it’s a song that’s been performed in so many ways, I can’t even hear it any more. Maybe America has a short memory. LA: That lacked excitement for me. I need you to stop looking back on where you come from. Paula: How could you even say that? He gives every ounce of himself to the public (she’s crying) If this were the finals, you’d be the one to beat. Beautiful performance. Simon: I’m going to have to agree with PAULA. I think you did what we knew you should do. Sincere, great emotions. That put you into the finals. Nicole: Simon, Paula–thank you for seeing the simple truth. That was like a prayer.
