Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Looks like we’re in for another night of over-the-top … well, I won’t write entertainment because I’m not sure that’s what you’d call The X Factor at this point.

Supposedly, a judges’ feud is lingering from last week when Simon threw a fit over the elimination of Drew.  And Simon says he’s more prepared this week.

Speaking of which, everyone sings twice tonight.  The first songs will be covers of dance hits.  The public was supposed to have a hand in picking each contestant’s second song.

And Steve Jones warns that there’s a shocking twist in store for all the contestants.

And now the singing begins:

Melanie Amaro: She’s going to sing “Someone Like You.”  No idea how this Adele tune qualifies as a dance song, or what all those dancers are supposed to represent.  Melanie is in good voice as always.  Simon says she seems more confident on stage these days, and she does.  Not Melanie’s best, but a decent start for the show.  Certainly better than a week ago.  Grade: B.

Marcus Canty: Hah-hah.  L.A. calls him a two-time champion because he’s managed to survive despite finishing in the bottom the last two weeks.  Well, that champion better pull out all the stops this week to avoid the judges’ ax.  He’s doing “Ain’t Nobody,” and once more it’s a case of style over substance for Marcus.  He moves well.  He sings not as well.  You’d think the judges had just seen the second coming of Michael Jackson.  LOL.  Grade: C.

Rachel Crow: Help.  My ears hurt.  Oh, no wonder.  It’s Rachel Crow singing/shouting.  She’s doing “Nothing on You.”  Admire Rachel’s poise on stage.  But no way in this world she deserves a $5 million recording contact for being young and cute.  Grade: C-.

Josh Krajcik: This theme seems more of a stretch for Josh than anyone else.  He’s singing Rihanna’s “We Found Love.”  Not sure you’ll find a song like that on Josh’s first album.  Well, L.A., that’s what you get when you give a singer like Josh a theme like dance tunes.  So-so performance from Josh.  Grade: C+.

Chris Rene: Thanks to the backup singers, Chris Rene does “Livin’ My Life” by Rihanna, raps most of the song and turns in one of his best performances in weeks.  He didn’t sing much, and Chris would be wise to sing as little as possible from this point on.  Especially now that Astro is out of the competition.  Grade: B.

Whoa, so shocking.  The Pepsi challenge got screwed up and those songs will be performed next week.  Instead, the contestants will sing their save-me songs.

Phony drama alert!  Phony drama alert!  Steve Jones is acting as though this is some sort of catastrophe.

Heck, if the contestants aren’t ready to sing their save-me songs … well, then they deserve to go home.

Melanie Amaro: She sings “When You Believe.”  Once again, it’s a very competent performance.  But it’s also exactly what you would expect from Melanie.  And I also expected the chorus to join in, just when it did, and found myself wishing it hadn’t.  And she’s getting predictably great comments from the judges.  Grade: B.

Marcus Canty: Dancer Marcus has disappeared. This time, we get lounge singer Marcus.  He’s singing “A Song for You.”  And this is one of the best vocals he’s turned in in weeks.  Very good job.  Not sure if it comes in time to save him, considering his lack of support the last two weeks, but that was a very good argument for why he should hang around longer than Chris Rene and Rachel Crow.  Grade: B.

Rachel Crow: The X Factor’s little star is wearing star earrings.  Anything, I suppose, to draw our attention away from all the bum notes.  She’s singing Michael Jackson’s “Music and Me.”  Yep, Marcus Canty deserves to hang around another week.  Grade: C-.

Josh Krajcik: He’s going to take on “Something in the Way She Moves.” Other than the bizarre facial expressions, this has the makings to be the best vocal of the night. And you know what? I absolutely believe it was. He changed up the song enough to make it his own and found a song well suited to his voice.  Grade: B+

Chris Rene: He’s going to do an original song, and it’s not going to be “Young Homie.”  My guess is the song is “Where Do We Go From Here” since he’s repeated the line about 20 lines.  And, honestly, it’s not very good.  Not the vocal, or the song.  Guess I’m just not a Chris Rene fan.  Give him credit for singing an original song, but that’s it.  Grade: C.