Major props to the Squared Division and the whole of X Factor Australia’s production staff. Watching the performances and packages, you guys all stepped it up, in a major way. (Even if the talent didn’t so much) The typography alone is enough to make me giddy with no shame! (I’m a sucker for a good font)
The best of the night goes to me without question to the person I ranked number 1 on my prediction list. As I suspected, Taylor Henderson killed it. It is important to remember that on these type of shows performance is not only about the vocals and the lyrics, but the movement on stage. If you change positions radically it will feel like so much more happened in the song. The chair was a nice touch and his getting up to his lead singer position was a nice one as well. It worked with great synergy. The performance would not have been as effective if he sat the whole time or if he stood the whole time. Very impressive and #OhMyOmar I love his growl.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skl46XPstwo
Anyone who knows me in real life, knows that I hate U2, but that being said. Dami Im turned herself into a viable her contender for top 6 with this performance single-handedly. Unlike Alicia Keys who looked lost on the flying flaming piano at some reward show, Dami Im commanded it. The end was just a masterpiece. This is why I had to rank her as number 2 of the night. I don’t know if she can actually win, but she is making a strong case for herself. (Among people that were eliminated then came back to win: I think Melanie Amaro (XFUS1), Ryan Malcolm (Canadian Idol 1, not technically eliminated but there was only supposed to be 1 wildcard spot and it wasn’t originally him), Jackie Thomas (XFNZ1). So who knows Dami might be able to do it. That being said I would love to see her do a folky-country-pop number like “The Story of Us” by T-Swizzle, (Taylor Swift).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_H5rxqtzEo
Jai Waetford is turning into the force I knew he would be in this competition. Easily the third best of the night and easily destined to be in the top 5 of the whole competition. While I prefer Cassie Henderson (XFNZ1) to him I think of the two he has the better chance of winning. I do still think he could’ve benefited from another year of life experiences, but Ronan knows best, and if he keeps performances up to this caliber he really does.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRMpUEuTtLM
Just like Jai, JTR knows who they are, who their fans are, and how to achieve the best JTR-ification of the song. While I prefer an act with a little bit more risk, I cannot deny them their ability to be so JTR. They are their brand, they live it, they breath it. Being able to provide a consistent product is important when building their fanbases. Of the three groups, I also believe they have the strongest harmonies (not much of a challenge against Adira-Belle).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnK9vYcIQzU
It pains me to edge JTR over Third D3gree, but the two performances warranted this to be like that. “#thatPower” just didn’t work like “Can’t Hold Us” or “No Diggity” did. In fact, I would argue that Moorhouse (XFNZ1) did this very same song better than Third D3gree. The real reason this didn’t work, isn’t for lack of trying or energy, they certainly had that. What really held this back, was their lack of cohesion. It felt like three people thrown together and not that cohesive. No amount of fireworks and audience-held light devices are going to mask that fact.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkUIzQTwBAI
Danger Zone: Everyone Below This Point Could Be in the Bottom 2
I really have to hand it to Dannii, while I might have never pegged Cat Vas as a rock goddess reincarnate, her voice has never sounded more full than on this Robert Palmer track. She looked gorgeous, she sounded confident (I know weird right). But her facial reactions held this back from being a top 4 performance. She was doing the actions, she looked good, she sounded good, but ultimately she didn’t believe it herself. It’s like she kept catching herself in the middle of the performance, being oh yes, I am a rock star right now, must act like a rock star right now. I must admit I am a little concerned for her safety tomorrow, but I suspect anyone not named Adira-Belle is going to get a free week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KanQLpSsrE
I love Joelle and she had so, so, so many great things happening in this performance. She looked fantastic, the concept was at the very least intriguing. Oh and the paint! I loved the neon paint! Her voice just wasn’t big enough for this Florence and Calvin hit song. The weakness especially showed as the song went on. I wish she would’ve tackled Ellie and Calvin’s “I Need Your Love” instead. Because Joelle voice could probably stand up (and overcome) Ellie’s angelic vocals, but this is what happened and I wanted to love it, but it didn’t fully work for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL315_WKiZs
Speaking of slightly off song choices, Omar Dean doing Usher is fantastic in concept. But not this song, not “Numb” it should’ve been “More,” “Scream,” “Love In This Club,” “Without You,” “Confessions part II,” “My Boo,” “Yeah!,” and a myriad of other better hit songs. Omar why, why. His falsetto is shades of greatness, but this song choice came across as daft, uninspired and the worse crime of all slightly boring.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QE7h027PD0
I am expecting to get a lot of flack for not liking Ellie Lovegrove, but I just don’t. I readily admit it could be residual anger for Redfoo picking her over Riv AND Georgina. Ellie is talented, but she doesn’t have the training to be able to use it effectively. This song choice was a bit boring as well. In terms of the Fleetwood Mac catalog I think there are stronger selections for Ellie. Now where does Ellie go from here if she doesn’t want to be eliminated next week. That is a good question. Take on a male singer, would be my first suggestion. Perhaps, “Sunday Morning,” Maroon 5 could be a decent moment for her. But I am not sure either.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQYvR4MIxcM
As a self-proclaimer hater of Dannii’s decision to pick Barry Southgate over others. I will say “When I Get You Alone” is a fantastic song choice for Barry and since his haircut and restyling he has never looked hotter. Too bad his vocals aren’t that great. It is unfortunate for him and Dannii. He just got lost in the song, possibly behind the beat, and breathy. But he is damn sexy, so for that I will give him some credit. Barry needs to strip it back (I’m not talking clothing wise, although it might not hurt) and perform with just him and a guy with a guitar, a song choice that you wouldn’t expect like that, perhaps Britney Spears’ “Piece of Me.” It has enough grit and attitude that it could just work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp7pLnuPJ80
Jiordan Tolli looked gorgeous, the set looked fun perhaps verging on garish, but this was all a recipe for success. But alas here I am ranking her in the bottom 2. The beginning was nice, the affected British accent was a lil cute, but ultimately the second she left the room was the start of when the party went sour. If her thing is getting lost in the story of a song, she didn’t show it to me here. If she is looking to learn from someone about that I recommend Amelia Lily as a master class in this (XFUK8). When she survives this week, she needs to think about a song that shows off the best of her breadth of skills. Start small and work your way up to slightly bigger, and find the right level of quirk to make the whole thing work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2erYZKzvVU
Super Danger Zone: Everyone Below This Point Will Be in the Bottom 2
On paper the choice of “Run the World (Girls)” seems logical. A girl group singing about female empowerment, not very novel. But Beyonce’ only can get away with this mess of a song because of how huge her vocals are. Adira-Belle does not have the tour de force that Beyonce’ has. I told them they need to be fun, fresh and ideally rapping. They were at best only one of those things, so if them or Natalie cannot head my advice, I feel no sadness for their inevitable elimination on tomorrows show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvvjNvlb6bc
To recap:
- Taylor Henderson
- Dami Im
- Jai Waetford
- JTR
- Third D3gree
- Cat Vas
- Joelle
- Omar Dean
- Ellie Lovegrove
- Barry Southgate
- Jiordan Tolli
- Adira-Belle
Thanks everyone for reading my recap/ranking thing! Be sure to leave comments below on your predictions on who will be next to Adira-Belle in the bottom 2!
