Given my cold, I’m not planning on partying any time soon. Thank goodness for The X Factor who brought a party to my lounge room tonight. And I didn’t even need to change out of my pyjamas!
Audio Vixen kicked off proceedings with The Zutons’ “Valerie.” I liked it but I didn’t love it. The retro styling was great, and I was thrilled that the band upped the performance factor, but there wasn’t enough harmonising for my tastes. That’s where this band really excels; when those voices came together it was amazing, but I was left wanting more. Perhaps that’s a smart move though. Could it bring them back next week?
Declan Sykes upped the ante with Panic at the Disco’s “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” I am really enjoying Declan because he’s not predictable. I love his theatricality, and while the vocals weren’t always the strongest his unique delivery to me is much more interesting than hitting all the notes just right. Talk about making a song your own.
Mitchell Callaway was up next with Kid Rock’s ”All Summer Along.” I must admit, as a musical purist I’ve always hated this mash-up of “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Werewolves of London,” but Mitchell didn’t go close to redeeming the song for me. He looked a bit scared up there, perhaps because of all those scantily clad ladies?
Jacqui Newland went back to her rock roots with an edgy take on Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth.” I appreciated the look and those sexy male angels, but this hurt my ears. She came close to elimination last week, and she needed to do much better to convince us to keep her.
Young Men Society took things to another level with their soulful take on “You Shook Me All Night Long.” I was a little nervous when I heard they were taking on AC/DC, but I needn’t have been. It was expertly sung, expertly danced, and expertly performed. Right now this seems to be the Young Men Society show; they’re just outclassing everybody.
Tyla Bertolli was vamping it up again with Lady Gaga’s “Edge of Glory.” I really liked the jazzy beginning, but was disappointed when the tempo picked up. Here it felt she underplayed it; she just didn’t match everything that was going on around her. I think there was improvement on last week but I’m not sure Mel B’s found her niche.
Reece Mastin sexed things up with Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.” I couldn’t help thinking back on Mitchell’s performance and how uncomfortable he seemed. Yet at 16 Reece handled those ladies like a pro, and was completely believable as he prowled around. He has so much charisma and confidence, and a killer voice to match it. I’m impressed.
Andrew Wishart gave us a bit of Queen. I must admit, I was nervous that him doing party anthems would seem a bit “daggy dad,” but “I Want to Break Free” was the perfect song for him. Vocally it was superb, although I think the band let him down a bit. When you leave the band for dead you know you’re doing something right.
Three Wishez had setbacks with illness, but you couldn’t tell it when they stepped out on stage. They seemed to work better as a group on “Please Don’t Stop the Music.” It was entertaining and the vocals were solid, but it also didn’t quite soar the way I wanted it to. It was good but not great.
Johnny Ruffo tackled a bit of Jay Sean with “Down.” Honestly I felt it was a lackluster delivery of a lackluster song. His vocals were adequate, and while the dance bit was impressive we are on a singing competition. He’s pretty, but pretty is only going to get him so far.
Christina Parie brought a bit of modern edge to Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the arrangement, and wondering whether I’m being too precious about the song. I adore the original and this was just so different. What I do know is that she did well with what she had, and she made it contemporary. I guess we wait and see whether the young ones vote for it.
If Jacqui Newland’s not in the bottom two tomorrow night I’m a poor judge. I’m not sure who’ll share the shame with her, but she’ll have to bring out something really special if she hopes to carry on in the competition.