X Factor Judges Houses Part 1 – VIDEOS and Recap

Finally, an episode of X Factor that just flew by.  Even with the over abundance of filler, the show held my attention from beginning to end.  Really, the show could have easily been cut down to 90 minutes. Did we really need a full recap on What Happened in the Past with each and every contestant?

But I think what kept my interest were the contestants. I’m finally getting to know them, and for better or for worse, I am finally becoming INVESTED.

Some of the Top 32 choices seem pretty WTF to me, until I remember that Simon is not looking for the best singer, but for an act he can mold into a pop star.  Also, there WILL be a certain number of contestants let through for the lulz and the drama.

Some of you noted the performances didn’t sound like they occurred outdoors.  The soundtrack was obviously fixed up and processed to eliminate outdoor noises, but the results sounded too perfect, like the acts were lip-syncing rather than singing live.  Some tracks were weirder than others. For instance,   the reverb on the performance by the girl quartet, Lakoda Rayne was distracting.

Simon better be careful.  X Factor UK survived an autotune scandal, but across the pond, they are the only game in town.   Here in the US, obvious manipulation of the vocals is a step too far for even casual viewers, me thinks. The competition would be ALL OVER THAT shiz–a perfect opportunity for  Nigel Lythgoe and Adam Levine to brag about the “purity” of American Idol and The Voice, respectively. (Although, they aren’t as pure as they may think. But I digress…)

Live blogging the X Factor Judges House Part 1…which some of you have already seen. And I have sort of too. I guess we’ll just be calling this week a bust. Eh? Part 2 airs on Sunday at 8 pm.   Check out the Top 32.

Paula Abdul, mentoring the Groups, is in Santa Barbara, LA Reid is mentoring the boys in the Hamptons, Nicole Scherzinger mentors the Over 30’s in Malibu and Simon Cowell at an undisclosed location in “France” and is mentoring the girls.

The contestants head off to their destinations, still not knowing who their mentor is. The girls land in “France”. Simon arrives on a fancy yacht.  The girls gather on the patio of the fancy French villa.  As Simon makes a big entrance in his sunglasses and rock star shirt buttoned down to HERE, the girls squeal as if Justin Bieber just appeared. They all dive in for a group hug. The scene seems vaguely creepy, with Simon cast as some sort of dirty old uncle to a group of pretty young girls.  Simon is happy, maybe TOO happy to be mentoring the young females. – VIDEO

The Groups, a huge group of hopefuls, arrive in Santa Barabara. Paula can’t wait to choreograph and produce the groups!  She specializes in groups, doncha know coughthejacksonscoughnamedroppingcough. – VIDEO

The geezers over 30s arrive in Malibu. ” Simon Cowell or LA Reid please!, ” a couple of the contestants say hopefully.  And their mentor is…Nicole. Oh.  The old folks get the consolation prize. Poor Nicole gives the group a pep talk, selling her experience to the obviously disappointed group.   Poor little Pussycat Doll. – VIDEO

The boys walk the beach in Malibu. LA opens the door, and the guys are PSYCHED. LA says he feels like the luckiest guy in the world. – VIDEO

Now to meet the celebrity judges. Nicole Scherzinger introduces her guest judge, Enrique Iglesias. VIDEO Paula’s guest is Pharrell WilliamsVIDEO  Simon tells the girls the bad news.  Mariah Carey is grounded in the States by Hurricane Irene. Sads.  Simon jokes that he’s picked himself as mentor. VIDEO  LA Reid’s pal, Rihanna joins him as guest mentor. VIDEO. Fourteen year old Brian Bradley says Rihanna’s arrival is the “best thing that’s happened to him in years.”  Kindergaten must have been a blast.

Brian Bradley – Boys –  Mash-up of Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message” – LA has chosen the music for each of his hopefuls.  Now we get the Recap of What Has Already Happened. Zzzzz. Bradley is eyeing the Hamptons house as the perfect crib for him and his moms when he wins that 5 million dollars. Hm. Brian tells Rihanna they will be doing a “collab” one day.  He switches up this rap classic into an anti-bullying message. “Can’t nobody take my pride…”  This kid gets on my last nerve, but even I have to admit this is clever. Hooking into the ever popular bullying meme is a very smart move. “He’s so cute!” coos Rihanna. LA wonders if America will consider him a novelty because he doesn’t sing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XbNR0ZQ0w0

Simone Battle – Girls – “Help!” by The Beatles – This chick has been consistently terrible throughout the competition. But, she’s hot and has a lot of confidence, which is what I suspect Simon is drawn to.  She’s somebody he can mold. She forgot the lyrics in Boot Camp. She swears she won’t this time. Simon tells her she looks great. Well she does remember the words, and actually, this isn’t terrible.  The arrangement suits her voice and she’s presenting herself in a vulnerable light for once. Some of the production crew join him to talk about Simone. He loves her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovHpOdtaV0o

Paula and Pharrell give their group a pep talk. Not everyone in this group is going to make it, she says. But “dammit, just bring it!”

The Anser – Groups – “Perfect” by Pink – The trio is from Salt Lake City Utah, but they aren’t Mormons. Fish out of Water!  They sing an acoustic rendition of “Perfect”. The performance is a little pitchy, probably due to nerves. But the harmonies are very sweet, and they imbue their performance with emotion–which is what really counts, if you ask me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBNgqdOVLsI

Dexter Haygood – Overs –  “Crazy In Love” by Beyonce – Nicole’s pep talk is about throwing away the conventional wisdom. You aren’t over the hill guys! C’mon you can do it!  Dexter reminds us that he was homeless at one time. And here he is staying in a big house. TEARS.  He never gave up on his dreams! He’s got on a colorful jacket, platform shoes and sings and dances to what sounds like a karaoke track.  This is half-baked James Brown meets Beyonce. It’s really amateur. Honestly, I can’t believe he’s got this far. Enrique thinks he’s entertaining. Nicole has reservations. Dexter realizes he missed some lyrics. He breaks down in Steve Jones arms. This guy is over the top crazy town, which is probably why he’ll advance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK–freRKDc

Skyelor Anderson – Boys – “Nobody Knows” – Skyelor wants to be a country singer for the rest of his life!  He’s got a decent voice, but not much presence. He’s not special, but I suspect he advanced because he’s African American. Rihanna thinks he has a lot of material to work with. LA questions Skyelor’s sincerity.  Does he really love country music?  Skyelor seems pretty authentic to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChxQGFgW8LE

Tora Woloshin – Girls – “Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones – Tora is the auto mechanic in training who was DQ’d from Idol back in Season 5.  She confesses that she feels like she’s “losing it.” Why are these backing tracks overpowering the singers? Her audition was more electric, but she’s interesting.  A Tina Turner type with cross over appeal and a powerful voice. Simon thinks she’s like a little rockstar, but she’s missing something. Tora admits that she forgot the words.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ4BvCih7Wo

Lakoda Rayne – Groups – “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga – One of the “manufactured” groups from boot camp.  When they learned they were put together by Simon to be a pop country group they were ecstatic…. really pissed off.  These 4 girls were hoping to advance as solo artists.  One of them almost quit. But, they decided to give it a go, meeting at one of the girls houses to practice.  They put up a good front for Paula and Pharrell.  They sing a countrified version of “Born This Way”.  Uhm, this does not sound like a live performance.  This rendition is patently ridiculous.  Sadly they don’t sing about being transgendered. That would have been awesome. The girls felt like something was off. Maybe because ya’ll are barely tolerating the group sitch, and it shows?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EG4jHha-rA

At the Top of the Hour, it’s time to totally review what’s happened already. WAY too much rehash. The episode could have been cut back to 9o minutes, easy.

Stacey Frances – Overs – “Purple Rain” by Prince – We’re back with the overs and Stacey…who OVERCOOKS EVERYTHING SHE SINGS.  Please stop screaming at me.  OMG after she finishes, she starts crying again. Is this going to be a weekly thing? She really really really needs to calm down. She’s got a decent set of pipes, but she tries way too hard. The air of desperation she exudes is really off putting.  If she makes it to lives she needs to get her act together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYFkDJuejL8

The Brewer Boys – Groups – “Only Girl In The World” by Rihanna – These two brothers are the product of a stage mom and they admit it. The not-as-cute one declares the duo are as different as night and day!  These two are pretty goofy.  They turn “Only Girl in the World” into a hick hoedown, and strangely I don’t mind it. Pharrell’s  WTF look is pretty hilarious, but Paula is rocking right out.  The brothers blend beautifully, the way related people often do.  It’s a marked difference to Lakoda Rayne, who,   thrown together, struggled to create charisma.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axFuBVd8pVA

Phillip Lomax – Boys – “Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna – Phillip is going to “sing Rihana to Rihanna”.  The crooner is worried about LA, a pop star guy, appreciating his style. He’s nervous.  He gives the arrangement that jazz standard flavor–as if Michael Buble were covering it*. His vocals sound harsh in his upper register.  Rihanna calls it “very charming”.  That might have been code for “it was just a’ight”.  LA isn’t sure that it works “commercially”. *I’m hearing Phillip sang the Jamie Cullum version.

Elaine Gibbs – Overs – “Stop Crying Your Eyes Out” by Oasis – Elaine has been around. Weddings! Bar Mitzvahs! You name it! If you’re going to do a diva turn, this is the way to go.  Her gospelized version of the Oasis tune was pretty powerful stuff.   The judges seem unsure that she’s got the “It” factor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODm0s3-c4d4

Caitlyn Koch – Girls –  “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” – Caitlyn was one of my favorite girls during the auditions and I really like her here too. She’s got a throaty tone, great phrasing, power when she needs it.  A very sweet, yet compelling performance. She’s got confidence. Simon thinks her pitch and tone were fantastic. He loves her.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqSjLaGmXzI

Nick Voss – Boys – “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – This guy was a joke during the auditions. Can he change my mind?  Nope. This performance is pretty silly in just about every way–goofy faces and bizzaro phrasing for the win! That was a little skeery. It’s like a joke performance, but unfortunately, he’s not in on the joke. LA says he’s seen him better. Oh really? He’s as terrible as ever, unless his best moments have been left on the cutting room floor. Somehow, I doubt it.  Hilariously, Nick feels his performance was awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7igKLjUL1cM

4Shore- Groups – “If You Love Me” by “Brownstone” – These guys sing really well, but they are straight out of the 90s. The dance moves are turn of the millennium boy band.  Pharrell thinks they need to “dirty up” their style, but all the “technicals” are there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ4RJ1oxBqo

James Kenny – Overs – “Russian Roulette” by Rihanna – What’s up with all the Rihanna tonight? This guy is totally cannon fodder.  James has an interesting tone and brings emotion to his performance. I believe what he’s singing.  Good pitch and phrasing.  I’m not sure why this guy hasn’t gotten more screen time. Guess the family-man backstory is just too boring.  Enrique thinks he’s got a Maroon 5 style rock star vibe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soqhwhgVrz0

Drew Ryniewicz – Girls – “It Must’ve Been Love” –  I typically have no interest in young teen singers, but this girl is an old soul. Wow. What a great voice.  She’s got a beautiful tone, emotional delivery, great pitch and phrasing. It’s amazing, those rare young folk who seem to come out of the womb fully formed. Very very nice. This girl better advance to the next round.  Simon says, “Amazing…she’s only 14”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MqSXmVcEi4

About mj santilli 34830 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!