JA
My weekly thoughts on last night's show.
Overall, some of the acts did improve, however there was still far too much weakness to really call the show better. Also, this was Michael Jackson week - so where were all of the stompers like Bad, Thriller, Black or White, etc, that he's arguably more famous for? Ballads are an incredibly safe choice and I think we were masking lack of talent with slow songs last night. Anyway, thoughts individually:
Alexandra - Had throat problems this week and it showed, she was holding herself back. Even when she did try to do a belt though, she still sang from the back of her throat. It doesn't seem like she can take care of her voice, which is a pity, because when it's there it's very good.
Scott - Picked a safe ballad after last week's abortion, but for me the performance was very weak. It annoys me when Louis says that he "looks like a popstar". I can't help but think that he just looks a bit wet and drippy. An ok performance, but I can't really see how he justifies his place in the final 12.
Ruth - What an absolute travesty she was in the bottom two. Unfortunately I think a lot of people are just not classy enough to get Ruth. They shouldn't really listen to Simon's comments. She can't do anything right in his eyes - but it was nice to hear her sing something non-Hispanic. The version of Purple Rain she sang was outstanding and she gave it absolutely everything, and I was glad to see her back.
Girlband - Another one of the weaker acts, and the one which deserved to be out of the competition. At times it was like listening to four solo singers trying to be agroup, and it reminded me of a band a few years ago singing 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now' in the week they got voted out. Cheesy, gimmicky, and had a place on Britain's Got The Pop Factor.
Laura - Oh my, this girl isn't very versatile is she? When she's singing piano it's rather like listening to someone who's trying to be a cross between Duffy and Amy Winehouse. Her pronunciation style is just awful. When she belts, her voice is oppressive and has a very unattractive vibrato. This song did nothing for her apart from look like another Peter Kay choreography.
Austin - Horrible arrangement. They had the opportunity to do a real footstomper here and just didn't take it. As a result, what came across was a very odd combination of rock with pop that didn't really work. I'd like to see him stick to the melody rather than doing all of the vocal acrobatics around it.
Daniel - Very pub singer-ish. Nothing remarkable about the song, and nothing remarkable about him. His sob story is saving him, however.
JLS - Probably the best performance of the night. They took one of my favourite MJ songs and did an absolutely fantastic performance of it. My only problem with it was the handheld units - could they not have headset mics instead? Then Brian could have experimented a bit more with the choreography. The mics just got in the way.
Diana - I just don't get this girl. Why does she sing from her throat like Dido? Why does she flick her voice up after some of the notes (and it was BADLY noticeable last night)? Why does she walk around barefoot (and NO, it's not because she might slip, whatever she says). She's trying to be really edgy and earthy but she just looks like a Musical Theatre reject. I don't like her I'm afraid, and wish that she would be voted off.
Rachel - I think she's absolutely right, that you shouldn't just stick to your comfort zone and that you should try other stuff. The true measure of the X Factor is whether you can turn your hand to any song. She did a powerful version of the song tonight and I enjoyed her performance.
Eoghfzqwan - Predictable song, predictable performance. Wouldn't have been surprised if they'd put him on wires and made him fly. The Connie Talbot of the competition.
Also, I'm sick of comments about Rachel's "attitude". It is nice to see someone who can think independently and who can do stuff off her own back, and to see someone who has obviously done things wrong in her life but is now turning it around and thanking God every day that she's a better person. I absolutely love her as a singer and she's got a great personality - so can we drop all of this "attitude" rubbish?
I don't know what the week theme is next week, but I hope it's not more ballads. I know that post was a little Tumbly Wumbly, sorry!
Overall, some of the acts did improve, however there was still far too much weakness to really call the show better. Also, this was Michael Jackson week - so where were all of the stompers like Bad, Thriller, Black or White, etc, that he's arguably more famous for? Ballads are an incredibly safe choice and I think we were masking lack of talent with slow songs last night. Anyway, thoughts individually:
Alexandra - Had throat problems this week and it showed, she was holding herself back. Even when she did try to do a belt though, she still sang from the back of her throat. It doesn't seem like she can take care of her voice, which is a pity, because when it's there it's very good.
Scott - Picked a safe ballad after last week's abortion, but for me the performance was very weak. It annoys me when Louis says that he "looks like a popstar". I can't help but think that he just looks a bit wet and drippy. An ok performance, but I can't really see how he justifies his place in the final 12.
Ruth - What an absolute travesty she was in the bottom two. Unfortunately I think a lot of people are just not classy enough to get Ruth. They shouldn't really listen to Simon's comments. She can't do anything right in his eyes - but it was nice to hear her sing something non-Hispanic. The version of Purple Rain she sang was outstanding and she gave it absolutely everything, and I was glad to see her back.
Girlband - Another one of the weaker acts, and the one which deserved to be out of the competition. At times it was like listening to four solo singers trying to be agroup, and it reminded me of a band a few years ago singing 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now' in the week they got voted out. Cheesy, gimmicky, and had a place on Britain's Got The Pop Factor.
Laura - Oh my, this girl isn't very versatile is she? When she's singing piano it's rather like listening to someone who's trying to be a cross between Duffy and Amy Winehouse. Her pronunciation style is just awful. When she belts, her voice is oppressive and has a very unattractive vibrato. This song did nothing for her apart from look like another Peter Kay choreography.
Austin - Horrible arrangement. They had the opportunity to do a real footstomper here and just didn't take it. As a result, what came across was a very odd combination of rock with pop that didn't really work. I'd like to see him stick to the melody rather than doing all of the vocal acrobatics around it.
Daniel - Very pub singer-ish. Nothing remarkable about the song, and nothing remarkable about him. His sob story is saving him, however.
JLS - Probably the best performance of the night. They took one of my favourite MJ songs and did an absolutely fantastic performance of it. My only problem with it was the handheld units - could they not have headset mics instead? Then Brian could have experimented a bit more with the choreography. The mics just got in the way.
Diana - I just don't get this girl. Why does she sing from her throat like Dido? Why does she flick her voice up after some of the notes (and it was BADLY noticeable last night)? Why does she walk around barefoot (and NO, it's not because she might slip, whatever she says). She's trying to be really edgy and earthy but she just looks like a Musical Theatre reject. I don't like her I'm afraid, and wish that she would be voted off.
Rachel - I think she's absolutely right, that you shouldn't just stick to your comfort zone and that you should try other stuff. The true measure of the X Factor is whether you can turn your hand to any song. She did a powerful version of the song tonight and I enjoyed her performance.
Eoghfzqwan - Predictable song, predictable performance. Wouldn't have been surprised if they'd put him on wires and made him fly. The Connie Talbot of the competition.
Also, I'm sick of comments about Rachel's "attitude". It is nice to see someone who can think independently and who can do stuff off her own back, and to see someone who has obviously done things wrong in her life but is now turning it around and thanking God every day that she's a better person. I absolutely love her as a singer and she's got a great personality - so can we drop all of this "attitude" rubbish?
I don't know what the week theme is next week, but I hope it's not more ballads. I know that post was a little Tumbly Wumbly, sorry!