The X Factor: Live Show #4

It was "Rock Week" on the X Factor tonight for the top ten acts, and I was still relieved that I didn't have to see any more of the Stereo Hogzz.

LeRoy Bell started the night with "We've Got Tonight" by Bob Seger. It was the best vocal I've heard from him but I find that he still sings like he's in a studio or at home, seen by no one. I'm not sure why Nicole hasn't worked on improving his performance ability yet. Paula rightly identified that he needs more connection. This marked the beginning of her many insightful comments of the evening.

Rachel Crow was up next with the Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction". [Fact: the first version of this song I had ever heard was Britney Spears' cover.] She impressed me for the second week in a row. I loved how she put her soulful/retro vibe into the song, made it fun, and could really perform. You can tell that she loves being on that stage. She has a great voice, continues to show her personality, and made the song her own. What more can you really ask for? And how can a 14 year-old be this much better than a 60 year-old? (Or maybe it should be rephrased as "how can a 60 year-old be worse than a 14 year-old?").

The show continued with Chris Rene's rendition of Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry". It was my favourite of his live performances so far. I liked the staging and backdrop and thought that he had found his Jason Mraz-y easy groove. He looked much more comfortable on stage than he has for awhile (or ever), and though it might not have been rock, I thought he did an awesome job. Not wanting to hypocritical, however, I could say that the song selection was a bit like those of a few performers last week in that they first chose a song and then found a loose connection to the week's theme. L.A.'s excuse was that Bob Marley had been inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...

Next was Stacy Francis, who belted out "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Meat Loaf. [Another fact: I had only ever heard the Celine Dion version...and it's one of my favourite of her songs.] Stacy was pitchy many times throughout her performance and seemed to be trying too hard to be dramatic, which perhaps is what took a toll on her vocals. As Simon remarked, I liked her hair much more this week (she needs to cover that forehead), but aesthetic things aside, I'm very surprised how she seems to have lost her way the past two weeks. Her audition had been so strong that I thought she was a definite contender for the top three, but now I'm not so sure. At times tonight I imagined her to be singing in a hotel lounge and pat myself on the back later on wen Simon said she needed to stop being cabaret. Her reaction to the judges' comments was silently angry (and I can see why), but she really needs to listen to them. Or stop listening to them. I can't tell which one yet. Also, being best friends with your mentor is not an ideal situation--you need someone to lead you and whom you can look up to--and based on her video tonight it looks like this is how Stacy and Nicole see each other. It's too bad they never switch up the mentors, because I think Simon could really help Stacy out.

Melanie Amaro had the stage to herself and a piano for REM's "Everybody Hurts". I loved her voice and appreciated the intimate setting to her performance, she looked gorgeous tonight, and I think she definitely has the best voice in the competition right now. She has improved a tiny bit on her stage presence but still needs to connect and stop over-rehearsing every movement. Nicole and Paula said she needs to loosen up and be more raw and I could not agree more. If only Simon could see this too!

Then Josh Krajcik delivered the one truly "rock" performance of the night with "The Pretender" by the Foo Fighters. His voice is best suited to rock so it was a walk in the park for him, and while he did a good job, for me it was just a cover of the song. I wasn't blown away liked the judges because I didn't hear anything original and expected more. And I must say that Nicole's frenetic dancing and head-banging were very distracting. Was she going to stay seated or standing? This is what ended up getting my attention.

Astro was next up with Puff Daddy's "I'll Be Missing You" (referred to here as "Puff Daddy" as it was recorded pre-P Diddy). From the first few words he rapped tonight , I was blown away. I'm continuously impressed by how he owns the stage, how he writes his own lyrics, and his amazing confidence. He truly is a musical prodigy. As Simon noted, he shows more maturity than many of his older counterparts and has already defined himself as an artist. I would love to hear some more of his original songs and can't believe how right he was in putting himself in the league of Kanye West and Jay-Z--he has the potential at only 14!

Lakoda Rayne, the last remaining group, performed a mashup of Outfield's "Your Way" and Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way". [Third fact: I had only been aware of Wilson Phillips' version of the latter. If you don't trust my musical opinion after all of these facts tonight, I don't really blame you.] I was very impressed by them tonight. I think splitting them up on their individual platforms made a difference since they didn't have to do their forced-sisterhood act. And they finally had fun tonight and seemed to have found their sound! What I could have done without were the cheesy male dancers (especially when they were dancing with the microphone stands). Also, does anyone else get the impression that the tallest blonde girl seems a bit out of place? I'd like to see this group stay for a couple more weeks as that would allow me to see if Paula's recently-found wisdom will continue. As this is her last group, if they are eliminated tomorrow she will be gone as well. (I can't believe I'm actually saying that I'd like Paula to stay! WTML?!)

Girl power continued with Drew singing "With or Without You" by U2, one of my favourite songs. I was hoping she would listen to L.A. Reid's advice last week and change things up, but instead we were met with the same style she's had every week. Don't get me wrong--I love her sound and originality, but I really wanted her to bring some edge to the song. Like Nicole, I was waiting for the tempo to pick up at some point but it never came. I was also turned off by her response to negative criticism by the judges. She's starting to lose her sweetness and I'm beginning to see someone who is a bit spoiled (having never heard negative comments until last week) and slightly unwilling to grow. She cut L.A. off during his critique and was not respectful to the judges. I agree that she is amazing but she needs to stretch herself. Paula said the point of having different genres each week was to show diversity (yes, Paula said that!), so I really hope Drew starts taking more risks.

The show ended with Marcus Canty's version of "Piece of My Heart" by Janis Joplin. His performance was fantastic but I really wish they didn't cheapen it with all of those skanky dancers. They didn't contribute at all to his performance. I think it would have been better if he interacted with his backup singers or the audience instead. But seriously, this boy was born to be on stage. It just comes naturally to him.

All in all, the X Factor has quickly surpassed my (previous) love of American Idol in its showcase of real talent and inclusion of the judges as mentors. I look forward to my X Factor Wednesdays because the performers generally do not disappoint...but they really need to replace Steve Jones (the host)--he keeps cutting the judges off!

My Final Thoughts
Weakest: LeRoy Bell, Stacy Francis, Steve Jones (the host)
Best: Rachel Crow, Astro, Marcus Canty (minus the trashy dancers)
Bottom two: LeRoy Bell, Lakoda Rayne

Let's see if my predictions are as in tune with America's as last week. I'm kind of hoping they are...