Let’s talk about the smoking gun in the room, bottom 3 this week instead of 2. Does this mean that two people will be eliminated or just one? Regardless, I think this a good move for the show, I realize it is technically taking the power of control from the viewers and giving it to the judges. Which is true, but I also do believe this gives more power to the contestants. I feel like many times in the past the sing-off performances ultimately have little to no bearing on the results, because with essentially two votes locked in at the start it gives very little wiggle room to the two remaining judges. I’ve always liked the idea of having five judges on the show, because that will make the sing-off more interesting with at least 3 non-partial voting members. The fifth category could be the wildcard contestants from the different categories, making a top 15 instead of top 12, and as far I am concerned the more people you have in the live shows, the better the final 3 will at the end of the day (Beast mode Caleb voice) make for a stronger finale. I also excited for Judges Challenge, this seems like a weak theme on a paper, but in practice it has turned in some solid performances from most of the competitors. Wishing luck to the final 7 as they take on this challenge! Also results will be on Tuesday instead of Monday because of some sporting event in Australia.
Brothers 3‘s “I’m Going Be (500 Miles)” I never heard this song before in my life, but man was that awesome. It was camp, it was ridiculous, but it was more importantly than all of that interesting and inspired. And even more importantly than all of that the Bros 3 delivered solid vocals. Perhaps this wasn’t ZOMG.SO.VOCALLY.CHALLENGING. But for groups it really isn’t about that, it is about delivering what you are supposed to deliver well. These boys did that today. I loved them coming in from backstage, I loved their playful choreography, I loved it. And after proving they can be serious in earlier performances (“Pompeii”) I find it definitely acceptable to just have fun every now and then, especially when there is a few weeks between them at the finale.
Jason Heerah‘s “Latch” Damn. I mean Damn. I said it last week and now I am saying it again. Jason went from someone I wrote off as a definite bottom 3 finisher, but then with a performance completely changed my mind. Jason had the passion, had the vocals, he is peaking at the right time. This guy was dead as a doornail to me three weeks ago and now here is almost certainly going to be the final 6 and if he plays his cards right, his stock is rising and Reigan’s is falling he COULD be the one to take her spot in the finale. Oh my goodness. Could’ve not seen that coming.
Dean Ray‘s “Stolen Dance” I wish sooooooo much, so so so much that they would’ve shifted the pitch of the falsetto parts a little lower so that Dean’s voice could’ve breathed more. I wanted so bad to make this number one, it was such an inspired, interesting choice, but despite hitting the correct notes that falsetto needed some help to be palatable. Some kind of reverb or something. It was just so hanging there obviously standing out and taking me out of this otherwise amazing performance and song choice. Dean is still the one to beat and despite my thoughts of Natalie just picking him because he was a bad boy (that ended up being Adrien) Dean is solid contender from start to finish. Even looking back at “Dancing Queen” shows me the type of risks he is willing to take that will drive his career in the future.
Marlisa‘s “Try” I have a bone to pick with this song, despite singing along with it in the car whenever it comes on, there is just something a bit disingenuous in the lyrics that gets to me, but I will not let my prejudices get in the way of judging Marlisa, I just wanted them to be known. (Translation: I will hold it against Marlisa, but I want you to think that I am not going to.) Man that reverb is solid, I love the opening she looks so great just standing at the top of the stage. Wow. This is much better than I thought it was going to be. Marlisa nailed it. For real. Her voice sounded strong, I could see the passion in her eyes and I was impressed. Escaping the bottom 3 is going to be difficult, but I think Marlisa just might be able to sneak into the top 4 with such a solid showing.
Caitlyn Shadbolt’s “Still Into You” this is a case of not setting the bar too high and then delivering. Caitlyn was fun and flirty on her highschool rugby bleachers and frankly she nailed the vocal. She looked like she was having fun, the song was fun, it was light and enjoyable. The slight country (bumpkin) twang bled a new edge into this song and it was good. Coming into the episode I was kind of expecting a bottom 3 of Tee, Caitlyn and Jason (the three who have previously survived bottom 2 appearances), but the performances tonight are changing my mind. Good on you Caitlyn.
Reigan Derry‘s “Dog Days Are Over” this may be a case of where me actually loving a song could actually be playing against the performer. Literally today, I was doing this song in karaoke (not as good as Reigan mind you) and I feel like this performance did the one thing that Reigan shouldn’t. Expose her sometimes thin voice. Against the pomp and circumstance of Florence Welch’s vocals Reigan sounds so weak. That being said Reigan had some solid moments especially in the end during the OHs and AHs. But straight off the bat, not super hot. I think Reigan could be safe, but with a bottom 3, she might be closer to it than she would like.
1. Brothers 3
2. Jason Heerah
3. Dean Ray
4. Marlisa
5. Caitlyn Shadbolt
6. Reigan Derry
7. Tee
I guess my bottom 3 speaks for itself. I think the people that I have safe deserve to be safe from tonight’s performances and the people I have at the bottom Caitlyn, Reigan and Tee just didn’t deliver the way the other four did. The elimination was almost definitely going to be Tee no matter what this week, but I think Reigan is going to get a much needed wake up call. At week 1 I thought she could cruise control to the finale, but this just isn’t the case. She needs to play the game just like everyone else.
Remember results on Tuesday this week!
Thanks for reading,
Edward Giordano