Rebecca Ferguson and Matt Cardle were definitely the best of the night. Great phrasing, emotional vocals. Good stuff. Treyce was right there behind them with a powerful version of “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing.” She made it tolerable. Wagner was a joke. I wonder how much longer his little cult following will keep him in the show. Mary Byrne is also proving to be a one-trick pony. She has a real inability to stretch out of her comfort zone. Aiden was better this week, but I think Matt is his biggest rival, and will win that battle. Simon’s boyband is really boring. His pimping is hilarious! I think Katie Waissel may finally go home this week. She was a hot mess, and I don’t think she has the fan base to sustain her through bad performances.
It’s the X Factor Top 10 people! And word is, a double elimination will be announced at the end of tonight’s episode! The theme is American Anthems, whatever the heck that means. Take a look at the spoilers–maybe you can figure it out!
After the jump, a LIVE STREAM and my live blog.
OMG there are the cheerleaders as the judges are introduced.
Cher Lloyd – (Cheryl – Girls) – “Empire State of Mind” – by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – Cher says Cheryl knows exactly who she is. So Cher doesn’t have to? Heh. A good pick for Cher vocally, but she’s not bringing anything new to it. A very karaoke performance. The judges will probably love it, I’m sure. Louis says, “Tonight you sang and you rapped, and you seem very comfortable up there. You could be in the finals.” Dannii says, “That song could have been written for you. It was hard to top last week’s performance.” “After last week, I”m a little bit disappointed. Simon says, Last week was 100 percent original. This week was a little bit copycat. To make the finals, you’ve got to be more original. Your mentor got a little bit lazy.” Cheryl says, “Absolutely not. We found the perfect balance.” Cher tells Simon she appreciates his comments, but she looks really disappointed.
Mary Byrne – (Louis – Over 28s) – “There You’ll Be” by Faith Hill – Finally, Mary is going to sing a somewhat modern song. Hm. Her lower register isn’t that great. I think she’s one of the singers that relies on her belting to carry her. No wonder she was nervous. She seems completely out of her element. Oy. She’s really off-pitch. Bad. Mary knows she blew it. Dannii says, “I think tonight you didn’t feel inside the song. People absolutely love you. The only one who can win this for you is you. I want to see your strength back.” Cheryl says, “I hope your back next week.” Simon says, “I thought you sang it pretty well.” “You are the people’s champion, I don’t care what anybody says.” Louis said nothing about her singing. What’s Simon up to with the pimping? Mary says she’s feeling low and very nervous. Self-sabatoge?
Katie Waissel – (Cheryl – Girls) “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt – WTF IS UP WITH KATIE’S HAIR!??! That rat’s next she’s got on her head is SOOO distracting. Like Cher, Katie’s performance is very karaoke. This performance may finally get Katie kicked off the show. LOL at the videos of Katie crying, looking like a horror on the video screens. Are they busing her or what? Louis says, “That was a brilliant performance.” Dannii says, “For me, I didn’t connect with that. I looked like you were thinking about the performance.” Simon says, “It kind of fell apart in the middle. It looked like you were struggling.” Katie says she was having the time of her life. Simon continues, “Parts of the performance were brilliant. I like that you aren’t a whinger. You come back battling.” Cheryl says, “you are a fighter excentric a drama queen that’s exactly what I love about you.”
Aiden Grimshaw – (Dannii – Boys) – “Nothing Compares To U” by Prince – Aiden WHAT? I can’t understand a word he’s saying. Better than last week. He’s got an interesting style. I wonder if he writes music? He’s best when he’s really connected to a song. Overall, a good performance. Louis says, “You’re one of the most consistent performers in the show. You are the perfect pop star. I like that you’re intense.” Cheryl says, “I accept the fact that you are an intense performer.” Simon says, “That song was only put in last night, taking everything into account, I thought that was absolutely brilliant.” Dannii says, “I think we kept the essence of you. Well done.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdivgbUn73Q
Paije Richardson – (Dannii – Boys) – Mash up of I’m A Believer by The Monkees and Hey Ya! by Outkast – This is a really weird mash-up. Not sure of the point. Paije was OK on “I’m A Believer”, but on the “Hey Ya” bridge? WTF was that? It was off key, bizzare. He shoud “You’re getting better, and you seem to be having fun.” “Cheryl says, “That absolutely made my night. My fav perofmrance of yours so far.” “I loved the whole Austin Powers vibe. It was without question, the best performance so far. You really put on a show. I’m really happy with you.” “I loved that performance. That was really good. Take the good credit because it’s due.” Paije looks sharp this week. Like the gray suit with the yellow sweater vest.
Rebecca Ferguson – (Cheryl – Girls) – “Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan – The performance of the night so far. Beautiful and heartfelt. She’s got a bit of a problem staying on pitch, but the emotion is there. She’s going to make great records. And she’s so beautiful. Louis says, “You stand out. you are special. An effortless vocal.” Dannii says, “An amazing performance, you sang it with such soul. Gorgeous.” Simon says, “That was absolutely fantastic. I think you would be the most incredible ambassador for this country.” Cheryl says, “Thank you for having the strength. The nation is willing you on, Rebecca. You have something really special.
Wagner – (Louis Walsh – Over 28s) – Mash up of Viva Las Vegas and Wonder Of You by Elvis – Wagner? As ridiculous as usual. But this week–with extra off-key singing! Wow. Really, there are no words to describe this cluster f*ck. He’s not even keeping time with band. I must stay, the white Elvis jumpsuit is perfect. Wagner needs to move to Branson. Dannii says, “There’s a church in Vegas that wants you to sing at it. The 2nd half was more in tune than the first half.” Cheryl says, “SIGH” Simon says, “It’s kind of something you like, but shouldn’t like. I ‘m in that place with you right now. I’m concerned that I like that performance.” Louis says, “The second song was really good…it’s fun.”
Matt Cardle – (Dannii – Boys) – “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack – Covering yet another song by a woman. I’d like to see him try something else for a change. I still really like him though. This doesn’t sound like something Matt would sing out in the real world. The second verse is BEAUTIFUL. Wow. I like the arrangement. Performance got more and more emotional. OMG he just burst into tears at the end. That’s going to get him a GAZILLION votes. Louis says, “Another outstanding voice. I think you’ve absolutely stolen the show. I think you are the person that everyone has to beat in this competition.” Cheryl says, “That absolutely blew me away. I totally get it. Beautiful.” Simon says, “That was completely and utterly stunning. Just stunning. This is the Matt and Rebecca show tonight.” Dannii says, “It was a perfect performance. I wish everyone at home knew why you sang that song. It’s really personal.”
Treyc Cohen – (Cheryl – Girls) – “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith – It’s another rock song for Cheryl. Gah. I hate this song. Well, this arrangement is very rock. But, Treyc is killing it. Her identity crisis may kick her off the show. She doesn’t want to be pigeon holed, but she doesn’t come off versatile–more like a little clueless. She’s got a great voice, though. Louis says, “No matter what happens to you, you always bounce back.” Dannii says, “Tonight we saw a little bit of the spark back.” Simon says, “I can’t fault that vocal. If you have a lion, you want it to bite you, not like you. You don’t have that killer instinct…that passion, belief.” Cheryl says, “You look stunning. Gorgeous vocal. You are a fantastic vocalist. You can sing your heart out.” Treyc does look gorgeous tonight.
One Direction – (Simon – Groups) – “Kids In America” by Kim Wilde – OMG they all sleep in the same room. The kid with the curly hair is in his underwear. They sound terrible singing together. A couple of the lead singers are OK, but I don’t think any of them have big charisma. But I guess there are young girls who would disagree with me. Oh look at the cheerleaders! “A brilliant way to end the show. You remind me of Westlife, Take that..this was not even a hit in America! It’s not an American Anthem!” “It was a great performance guys. Vocally it wasn’t the best of the night.” “Absoultely cheered me up. You’re good lads. Great performance.” “When you came out it was like sunshine on a beautiful day, and then Louis the thundercloud comes along…that was your best performance by a mile. On the money.” Erm. Every week they are mediocre. Not really seeing a big improvement.