The X Factor – Recap & Review – Top 17

photo: fox

The X Factor
Top 17

Original Air Date: Oct 25, 2011

Patricia Morris Buckley – Sr. Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

Is The X Factor out to damage our nerve endings? It sure seemed like it with possibly the most overproduced live show ever. The lights were overwhelming, the orchestrations were louder than the singers, the dancers were distracting and the graphics/stage production made it difficult to even look at the performers.

And am I alone in thinking the announcer (not Steve Jones, but the voice over person) has the most annoying voice of all time?

It was just too much and I think the entire series suffered because of it. Still, overall I was happy with the performances and the judges’ choice as they whittled the field down from 17 contestants to 12 (each judge had to cut one act from their group except for Simon, who had to eliminate two).

We saw a little of mentoring that went on in each judges’ group over the last two weeks. The judges also made the song selections (loved the mashups, which Idol has never allowed) and had a say with the complete presentation. I also liked the format of doing each group in one block and making the elimination right after the entire category performed.

BOYS

Astro (as Brain Bradley now wants to be called) actually impressed me for the first time with the rapid-fire lyrics of “Jump” rewritten to mention The X Factor. Chris Rene sounded a little off, but I loved the gentle rap he added to “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.” Phillip Lomax moved from the ‘50s of Sinatra to the ‘60s of The Monkees with “I’m a Believer.” He is so engaging on stage, but still isn’t pop star material. Marcus Canty is all kinds of talented and didn’t disappoint on “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me.”

ELIMINATED: Phillip Lomax. Hopefully, Vegas is already vying for his talent, even if it’s just to do a Sinatra act.

GROUPS

The Stereo Hogzz version of “Try a Little Tenderness” had moments I liked, but the abrupt changes in musical style made it hard to follow. The Brewer Boys got stuck with a mash-up of “Rich Girl” and Faith,” which didn’t blend well thematically or musically. Their harmonies are still dead on and they look like they could be the next Jonas Brothers. InTENsity, the group of 10 kids made from solo acts, mashed up “Footloose” and “369,” showing that the group has some weak voices and some strong ones. They still feel like the group numbers from Idol. But I was very surprised by Lakoda Rayne’s “Come On Eileen,” Last week they were a mess, yet this week they blended beautifully.

ELIMINATED: The Brewer Boys – A BIG MISTAKE.

OVER 30s

Dexter Haygood sang “I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It” mashed with “Womanizer” and I didn’t recognize either until the chorus. If anything, all the flash made it clear he’s more personality than a singer. With “Nobody Knows,” Leroy Bell showed he is a major contender with a soft, clear voice that I could listen to for a long time. Stacey Francis did not cry before, during or after “One More Try.” It wasn’t her best performance, but it’s obvious why she’s made it this far in the competition. Josh Krajcik’s slowed down, almost a cappella version of “Forever Young” was haunting and daunting.

ELIMINATED: Dexter – the right choice. If they keep eliminating in categories, someone with major talent in this category will be forced to go home next week.

GIRLS

Of course, since it’s Simon’s category, it’s last. And he has five contestants instead of four because he “made a mistake” in eliminating one and “got the permission of the other judges” to bring one (Melanie Amora) back.

They used a big echo chamber on Simone Battle’s “Dub Be Good to Me” and we could easily hear how weak her voice is. I was very disappointed with Simon’s song choice for Rachel Crow. The mash-up of “Where Did Our Love Go” and “Baby” never showed off her vocal strengths. Drew (now going by one name, which means I don’t have to type in Ryniewicz anymore) sang a very slowed down version of “Flashdance…What a Feeling” that was wobbly here and there, but 100 percent charming and engaging.

Tiah Tolliver’s “Sweet Dreams” was horrifying, and not because of her barely heard vocals but the strange nightmare production number. As Nicole said, “If these are your sweet dreams, I’d hate to see the scary ones.” Melanie ended the evening with an impressive rendering of Whitney’s “I Have Nothing.” Although she provided she could sing the big songs, she’s going to have to show that she’s more than just an excellent mimic.

ELIMINATED: Tiah and Simone. I was so glad that Simon’s pride didn’t keep him from making the right choices.

Next week, the audience FINALLY gets to vote. Who do you think won’t make it past the next round? Do you have a clear favorite now? Did anyone leave this week that you thought deserved to stay? Give us your TwoCents…