I think I like the idea of unplugged. This should determine who can hold the right notes and also just perform as themselves rather than as one of many on a big stage. Often the backing audio has almost drowned out individual performances - at least on my system - which has made some reviews quite difficult at times as I am sure that I am hearing something quite different to the judges.
Oh no, another two to go tonight! Heavens. That is going to make everyone nervous again but particularly Cece, Diamond and Fifth Harmony. However good they've been, they're the ones who have been most often at risk to date.
Cece goes first. Still blonde so I was wrong thinking I'd seen her back in brunette.
Hey, Cece is practising the track I suggested on Twitter!! On The Edge suited her. It was cut right back and was appealing. I still think she's vulnerable against the likes of Carly Rose and even Fifth Harmony in this sector and, of course, Tate and Emblem3 for the overall winner's place. I liked what she did and like her. Now it's down to her fans, though, and she should in no way feel bad about coming 5th or 6th this year.
Emblem3. I can't remember what I suggested. I think it was a Beach Boys track. They're doing You're Amazing and there are three vocals to win across our votes too. Nice job, with a distinct 1D feel about it which is hardly surprising but not really who they are. I'd expected to see a bit more fun. Simon and Demi argue quite a bit about what they thought which is also hardly surprising as Demi may have spotted that, as performances, there wasn't much to choose between Cece and Emblem3 and Simon must have hoped they'd have done a bit more with that.
Both tracks have been cut so short that the artists don't get a chance to get into them but I suppose that's going to be the case for all of them. We're getting two songs tonight but I'm sure they could squeeze in an extra 12 minutes somewhere.
What i really enjoy about this series is that there is no act that shouldn't be there. Unlike X Factor UK, where only one act remaining actually deserves all the support and publicity that winning will bring, any of these six could make it. Having said that, Carly Rose Soneclar is the one who deserves to take the prize with her faultless vocals and remarkable talent.
She sang a track I am not familiar with but that didn't matter. It was superb. I'm not so sure it will have pulled in a lot of extra votes but this girl is so good. I guess I just wish she were a little older so that we could get some sense that actually understood the lyrics and could properly convey the emotions that make a song. Simon was so right in saying how girls of her age singing can be a bit annoying but she is just cool. I gather that it might have been As Long As You Are There and possibly a Justin Bieber number. Maybe it will get her some votes then, after all. Great reviews from all the judges.
I like this acoustic slot and reckon that would be a great addition to the UK series next year. Why not include it in the final next week? It wouldn't actually make much difference to James Arthur, though, come to think of it!
Now here's something that hasn't happened on X Factor USA yet: the UK ads include a promotion for Rylan Clarke hosting a show - he's only just been 'sent home' too and has already had a great spot on Xtra Factor. In a way, he's become a 'star' already and only came 5th.
Back to USA. Fifth Harmony are looking good. Lauren starts again. I'm still not sure she's the right one to lead. Camilla is the one who is strongest in my view. Dinah Jane finishes after Ally has a quick spot and Normani was just in the background. They did a good job of Set Fire To The Rain and I agree with Simon that they deserve a shot in the semis. They have something and there's nothing wrong in some being out front and others staying back. Girls Aloud would be a good example. Or go back in time - I seem to recall it was MarthaReeves and The Vandellas, Diana Ross and The Supremes. I'm also not so bothered about harmony which LA constantly bangs on about. For some reason he doesn't like them.
After some excellent comments during auditions, super song choices for her contestants and demonstrating the best current awareness of what teenagers want on many occasions so far this series, Britney Spears has been very brief and less than helpful in her comments for the last few weeks. This has left quite a hole as I am sure that judges' support does have some influence on some voters and, at the moment, it is really LA and Simon who are the only ones making an effort. Demi supports Cece, of course, but is rather lightweight. I guess it's difficult to take that much notice of someone younger than their act!
Diamond is coming out with a big number. It's A Man's World is a tricky one for a 13 year old. I can imagine her coming out with quite a stunning-sounding performance but how will she handle the much older lyrics (never mind the matter of gender!) This could be the stand out song.
She's good. Brilliant start and end but not sure about the middle. She showed some great control and what LA called 'attitude'. She had done this at an audition stage so it didn't have quite the impact it might have. That credibility thing is still a problem, though.
Tate is doing Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi. That's different. He should be good with just his voice but that's an odd track choice. Strange. Doing Country has had piles of votes coming his way. So he needs a strong Country slant on this. He tries but I have to say that it was just wrong. Well sung but sleepy. Maybe if I didn't know the original which had passion and urgency this would have worked better. As it is, no, that was actually quite boring and lost everything that made the track so good.
I can't imagine him going this week but it'll be because of whatever he does next, not that. The judges weren't impressed. Ridiculous and vacant commentary from Khloe to say that everyone thought it was wonderful.
Cece is on again and did Part Of Me. Britney and Simon liked it. Demi argued really well for her too although her remark that if the Princess of Pop thought it was good then the others should take notice seemed to catch Britney by surprise! This was a bit average, though, starting well and all was going well until the backing track seemed to be leading her at one point. She got through that and just managed the finish but I reckon she would like to have had another take if that could have been arranged. She was in short multicoloured shorts and the same colours in different order on her top, with big blonde hair and the leopard spots back. I like the way she really does try to please her fans and they will have loved the look and the attitude. She does look so good and I'd love to see her carry on but I do have difficulty in picking two acts that she has been better than. If it were just on the acoustic performances then she would actually stand a good chance but it may be a problem with the next big and popular songs coming up.
Emblem3 were given Forever Young. Oh dear, this is not their song at all. They make a decent job of the harmony bit but one of the soloists was not good at all. LA must have heard a different soundtrack. Britney was even briefer than ever, vaguely supportive. Demi liked it but thought they could have worked the stage better. Maybe I missed something but it seemed very poor to me.
Carly Rose is on with If I Were A Boy. Clearly this girl can sing anything that you throw at her. Fantastic. She is so good that, really, how can the others compete? The only thing they can do is express their own emotions and if that can win votes then they'll have a chance. But then there's the problem of the Big Country Vote behind Tate, presumably whatever he does. Even bad Bon Jovi.
This is getting interesting, A really smart performance by Fifth Harmony, a super, characterful one by Diamond and a boring one by Tate could change everything. Well, almost everything. Carly Rose will still be No.1.
Fifth Harmony did, indeed, put on a great show, and that ought to earn her a position in the semis. They were made up a bit strangely and, at last, there was some switching of the lead and both Dinah Jane and Camilla will have been responsible for their success if they do get through. Ally is beginning to appear the most popular and lovable character and I would be inclined to put her up front in a lively number if there is a next time as I think she'd win them a mass of extra votes.
Diamond sings Diamonds. A tough call, the big stage production helped her but matching Rihanna is not an easy task. She made a really good effort and even looked a little like a young Rihanna at times. What was missing was the character of the song and some of the top notes weren't bright. I don't know how that'll go for her.
Last in this oh so important night's performances is Tate. Back to good old familiar stuff, he was in his element and that ought to make up for the first effort. If Tomorrow Never Comes is a classic but there were some dodgy notes in there and it was just a touch tedious.
Using last week's vote as a guide, I'd say that Carly Rose and Fifth Harmony are through. Emblem3, I suspect, will have kept their teen girls voting support too, although they are vulnerable after a less than spectacular night for them. Tate may have dented his vote but, again, I guess that it's big enough to stand that. That would leave Cece and Diamond to go. If Diamond is 6th then Cece may well have to fight someone and, unfortunately, won't get the judges' majority.
Another possibility is that there is another shock immediate exit - one of the groups, perhaps, or even Tate. That might then put Cece up against Diamond and she might have a chance then, especially if the judges are split and Diamond had the lower public vote.
Tomorrow will be either very predictable: Carly, Tate, Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony or very, very interesting: Carly Rose and any three! All we know is that two go. Can't wait.
Of course, you folk across the Pond know the outcome now and will see how way off my thoughts are! Sorry, if that is the case. Now I have to try to steer clear of Twitter and Facebook for 24 hours!
But Cece, you can message me any time whatever happens.
Oh no, another two to go tonight! Heavens. That is going to make everyone nervous again but particularly Cece, Diamond and Fifth Harmony. However good they've been, they're the ones who have been most often at risk to date.
Cece goes first. Still blonde so I was wrong thinking I'd seen her back in brunette.
Hey, Cece is practising the track I suggested on Twitter!! On The Edge suited her. It was cut right back and was appealing. I still think she's vulnerable against the likes of Carly Rose and even Fifth Harmony in this sector and, of course, Tate and Emblem3 for the overall winner's place. I liked what she did and like her. Now it's down to her fans, though, and she should in no way feel bad about coming 5th or 6th this year.
Emblem3. I can't remember what I suggested. I think it was a Beach Boys track. They're doing You're Amazing and there are three vocals to win across our votes too. Nice job, with a distinct 1D feel about it which is hardly surprising but not really who they are. I'd expected to see a bit more fun. Simon and Demi argue quite a bit about what they thought which is also hardly surprising as Demi may have spotted that, as performances, there wasn't much to choose between Cece and Emblem3 and Simon must have hoped they'd have done a bit more with that.
Both tracks have been cut so short that the artists don't get a chance to get into them but I suppose that's going to be the case for all of them. We're getting two songs tonight but I'm sure they could squeeze in an extra 12 minutes somewhere.
What i really enjoy about this series is that there is no act that shouldn't be there. Unlike X Factor UK, where only one act remaining actually deserves all the support and publicity that winning will bring, any of these six could make it. Having said that, Carly Rose Soneclar is the one who deserves to take the prize with her faultless vocals and remarkable talent.
She sang a track I am not familiar with but that didn't matter. It was superb. I'm not so sure it will have pulled in a lot of extra votes but this girl is so good. I guess I just wish she were a little older so that we could get some sense that actually understood the lyrics and could properly convey the emotions that make a song. Simon was so right in saying how girls of her age singing can be a bit annoying but she is just cool. I gather that it might have been As Long As You Are There and possibly a Justin Bieber number. Maybe it will get her some votes then, after all. Great reviews from all the judges.
I like this acoustic slot and reckon that would be a great addition to the UK series next year. Why not include it in the final next week? It wouldn't actually make much difference to James Arthur, though, come to think of it!
Now here's something that hasn't happened on X Factor USA yet: the UK ads include a promotion for Rylan Clarke hosting a show - he's only just been 'sent home' too and has already had a great spot on Xtra Factor. In a way, he's become a 'star' already and only came 5th.
Back to USA. Fifth Harmony are looking good. Lauren starts again. I'm still not sure she's the right one to lead. Camilla is the one who is strongest in my view. Dinah Jane finishes after Ally has a quick spot and Normani was just in the background. They did a good job of Set Fire To The Rain and I agree with Simon that they deserve a shot in the semis. They have something and there's nothing wrong in some being out front and others staying back. Girls Aloud would be a good example. Or go back in time - I seem to recall it was MarthaReeves and The Vandellas, Diana Ross and The Supremes. I'm also not so bothered about harmony which LA constantly bangs on about. For some reason he doesn't like them.
After some excellent comments during auditions, super song choices for her contestants and demonstrating the best current awareness of what teenagers want on many occasions so far this series, Britney Spears has been very brief and less than helpful in her comments for the last few weeks. This has left quite a hole as I am sure that judges' support does have some influence on some voters and, at the moment, it is really LA and Simon who are the only ones making an effort. Demi supports Cece, of course, but is rather lightweight. I guess it's difficult to take that much notice of someone younger than their act!
Diamond is coming out with a big number. It's A Man's World is a tricky one for a 13 year old. I can imagine her coming out with quite a stunning-sounding performance but how will she handle the much older lyrics (never mind the matter of gender!) This could be the stand out song.
She's good. Brilliant start and end but not sure about the middle. She showed some great control and what LA called 'attitude'. She had done this at an audition stage so it didn't have quite the impact it might have. That credibility thing is still a problem, though.
Tate is doing Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi. That's different. He should be good with just his voice but that's an odd track choice. Strange. Doing Country has had piles of votes coming his way. So he needs a strong Country slant on this. He tries but I have to say that it was just wrong. Well sung but sleepy. Maybe if I didn't know the original which had passion and urgency this would have worked better. As it is, no, that was actually quite boring and lost everything that made the track so good.
I can't imagine him going this week but it'll be because of whatever he does next, not that. The judges weren't impressed. Ridiculous and vacant commentary from Khloe to say that everyone thought it was wonderful.
Cece is on again and did Part Of Me. Britney and Simon liked it. Demi argued really well for her too although her remark that if the Princess of Pop thought it was good then the others should take notice seemed to catch Britney by surprise! This was a bit average, though, starting well and all was going well until the backing track seemed to be leading her at one point. She got through that and just managed the finish but I reckon she would like to have had another take if that could have been arranged. She was in short multicoloured shorts and the same colours in different order on her top, with big blonde hair and the leopard spots back. I like the way she really does try to please her fans and they will have loved the look and the attitude. She does look so good and I'd love to see her carry on but I do have difficulty in picking two acts that she has been better than. If it were just on the acoustic performances then she would actually stand a good chance but it may be a problem with the next big and popular songs coming up.
Emblem3 were given Forever Young. Oh dear, this is not their song at all. They make a decent job of the harmony bit but one of the soloists was not good at all. LA must have heard a different soundtrack. Britney was even briefer than ever, vaguely supportive. Demi liked it but thought they could have worked the stage better. Maybe I missed something but it seemed very poor to me.
Carly Rose is on with If I Were A Boy. Clearly this girl can sing anything that you throw at her. Fantastic. She is so good that, really, how can the others compete? The only thing they can do is express their own emotions and if that can win votes then they'll have a chance. But then there's the problem of the Big Country Vote behind Tate, presumably whatever he does. Even bad Bon Jovi.
This is getting interesting, A really smart performance by Fifth Harmony, a super, characterful one by Diamond and a boring one by Tate could change everything. Well, almost everything. Carly Rose will still be No.1.
Fifth Harmony did, indeed, put on a great show, and that ought to earn her a position in the semis. They were made up a bit strangely and, at last, there was some switching of the lead and both Dinah Jane and Camilla will have been responsible for their success if they do get through. Ally is beginning to appear the most popular and lovable character and I would be inclined to put her up front in a lively number if there is a next time as I think she'd win them a mass of extra votes.
Diamond sings Diamonds. A tough call, the big stage production helped her but matching Rihanna is not an easy task. She made a really good effort and even looked a little like a young Rihanna at times. What was missing was the character of the song and some of the top notes weren't bright. I don't know how that'll go for her.
Last in this oh so important night's performances is Tate. Back to good old familiar stuff, he was in his element and that ought to make up for the first effort. If Tomorrow Never Comes is a classic but there were some dodgy notes in there and it was just a touch tedious.
Using last week's vote as a guide, I'd say that Carly Rose and Fifth Harmony are through. Emblem3, I suspect, will have kept their teen girls voting support too, although they are vulnerable after a less than spectacular night for them. Tate may have dented his vote but, again, I guess that it's big enough to stand that. That would leave Cece and Diamond to go. If Diamond is 6th then Cece may well have to fight someone and, unfortunately, won't get the judges' majority.
Another possibility is that there is another shock immediate exit - one of the groups, perhaps, or even Tate. That might then put Cece up against Diamond and she might have a chance then, especially if the judges are split and Diamond had the lower public vote.
Tomorrow will be either very predictable: Carly, Tate, Emblem3 and Fifth Harmony or very, very interesting: Carly Rose and any three! All we know is that two go. Can't wait.
Of course, you folk across the Pond know the outcome now and will see how way off my thoughts are! Sorry, if that is the case. Now I have to try to steer clear of Twitter and Facebook for 24 hours!
But Cece, you can message me any time whatever happens.
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