The X Factor USA – Trey & Nick’s Week in Review – Top 10
Credit: FOX
It's time for another installment of Week In Review: The X Factor USA Edition, in which myself and Trey M. will examine all the big happenings of the week, and look ahead to next week's show. What were the highlights and lowlights of top 10 week? Did the right acts go home? Let's get to it!
Credit: FOX
Best performance of the week?
Trey: I know most will go with Alex & Sierra, but I still think that Josh Levi was above the back with the stellar performance of "Sweet Dreams," proving that he is the most commercial act in the competition.
One of the reasons why Alex & Sierra don't impress me as much is because I feel like when you are taking a song from a different genre and putting your own spin on it, it automatically is going to sound genius. With that said, it was still a great performance.
Credit: FOX
Nick: It's kind of funny, in that I'm going with Alex & Sierra for the same reason you're not going with them. I feel like when you take a song from a different genre and put your own spin on it, you're at a greater disadvantage because the original is so ingrained in the public consciousness. Particularly a track like "Best Song Ever," which is on the charts as we speak. So I see it as a greater risk than if they'd just done "Wild Horses" or some other Rolling Stones song.
But right behind my top choice is Rion Paige, who really knocked it out of the ballpark with "Your Song". She's really growing with each week she lasts in the competition, and I thought she made a great case here for why she should go all the way. Of course, I don't exactly disagree with your assessment on Josh. I think his was the most complete performance of the week. It really is staggering how ready that kid is to be making albums and touring right now.
Credit: FOX
Worst performance of the week?
Trey: I'm going to have to go with Paulina's guys -- Tim Olstad and Carlito Olivero -- for worst yet again. While Tim gave a good vocal it had so much cheese I almost couldn't take it. Carlito also didn't meet the mark, but he always shows promise when his life is on the line, like in the "Save Me" song.
Nick: Oh, I agree completely about Carlito's "Save Me" song. But I actually really liked Carlito this week, believe it or not. My pick for worst of the week is actually Restless Road. I thought it was fine when watching it live, but when watching it back later, I noticed just how off their harmonies were, and how unremarkable their individual parts of the song turned out to be. Noticing now, I think this is the first week where I actually haven't liked these guys. I'm a fan and all, but I think they're beginning to coast.
Credit: FOX
Most disappointing performance of the week?
Nick: I wasn't all that high on Khaya Cohen this week, unfortunately. Her "Let It Be" had some solid moments, but I just didn't feel it was up to the standard of past weeks. Of course, I mostly blame Demi for the song choice, which was a bit safe and unremarkable for Khaya's voice, I thought. Yet I could very easily understand why she went home this week, as much as it pains me to say it.
Credit: FOX
Biggest surprise of the week?
Trey: I enjoyed Rion Paige! She's beginning to come into form some! I know she was one of the weaker girls with the public at the beginning of the live show star but I think she's gathering a fan base. We don't need to sleep on her!
Nick: I loved Rion too, but I was actually far more surprised by Carlito Olivero, who not only delivered a solid, high-energy performance with "Satisfaction," but also an impassioned vocal during his "Save Me" song. Seriously, "Beneath Your Beautiful" is his best vocal so far, and his passionate speech about why he deserved to stay in the competition went a long way in upping his likability. I've never been the biggest Carlito fan, but he's becoming easier and easier to root for with each passing week.
Credit: FOX
Which act needs more onstage production? Which act needs less?
Trey: While Josh has been rocking it the past few weeks, in order to not lose momentum he should switch it up soon and give another performance that will be focused on vocals. I think the same should go for Carlito, but I think the last time he stripped it back, the judges didn't like it. I would also like to see Alex & Sierra to do more production-wise.
Nick: I'm not sure more production would really work for Alex & Sierra, since their flashiest onstage performance -- "Blurred Lines" -- was more than a little distracting. But adding a bit more -- whether it's a more elaborate set, different blocking than simply placing them side-by-side, or even if it means just a dancer or two -- could help keep them from becoming stale. But of all the people who could use some more lavish production, I'd argue Jeff Gutt would most benefit. His "Bohemian Rhapsody" was helped immensely by the presence of the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones, as well as all the flames and flashing lights. Sure, it bordered on distracting, at times, but I think there's a middle ground to be struck here with Jeff that could really help him feel like a bigger star, relative to some of the other acts in the competition.
Credit: FOX
As for who could use less production, I'd say Ellona Santiago has been overdoing it for weeks now, and while her performance of "Burn" was a step in the right direction, it was still too much. She needs to get back to just singing a song and singing it well, like she did with "Titanium," her high watermark of the series.
Credit: FOX
Should the show do away with theme weeks? Or is it necessary to make sure the contestants grow and try different styles outside their comfort zone?
Trey: Theme weeks are good on Idol I suppose. But for The X Factor, since it is more about making the actual "artist" as opposed to best vocal talent like The Voice, I think they should let the contestants get up there every week and do what they want to do in their post-show careers.
Nick: I agree, especially when you consider how archaic and inhibiting these themes have been so far. Would Restless Road really ever sing "Footloose" on their album? Would Khaya have sung "Let It Be"? Granted, it's not like either mentor was forced by the theme to pick those kinds of songs, but I feel that without the themes handcuffing their imaginations to one specific era or genre of music, the mentors could start picking the sorts of songs that will be representative of the style of artists these contestants will be after the show is over, instead of adhering to some arbitrary musical designation. Although I suppose that The Voice has shown us that the lack of themes doesn't necessarily mean bad song choices will fall by the wayside. But I still feel an overhaul of sorts is in order.
Credit: FOX
Whose chances to make the finale have improved? Whose have taken a hit?
Trey: After bursting onto the radar, Josh Levi is near the top of the back now. As for who's taken a hit, Ellona Santiago was a lot of people's front runner but I think she is losing a lot of steam now.
Nick: Hey, our picks synced up! I think Josh has gone a long way in strengthening his case for a finale spot, while I'm not sure Ellona is as strong a contender anymore. It's not for lack of trying, of course, but I think the song choices and the distracting, overly elaborate production numbers have hurt more than they've helped. And the comments from Simon this week clearly rattled her, so I worry about her confidence, as she seems a bit shaken.
Credit: FOX
Now that each judge has exactly two acts remaining in the competition, which category will be the first to be wiped out?
Trey: I think Carlito will go soon leaving the Boys at risk of being wiped out first. But the closest thing I can see happening is the Overs being KO'd first with Lille and Jeff.
Nick: Yeah, I think it'll either be the Boys or the Overs as the first category knocked out. If I had to make one prediction, however, I'd say the Boys will be eliminated first. Just from looking around online, Jeff appears to be more popular than either of the two remaining boys, a residual effect from building a fanbase from last season. Doesn't mean Jeff still couldn't be a surprise boot, or that the Boys couldn't surge and become real threats. But right now, I think the Boys will be gone by top 5.
Credit: FOX
Song suggestions for Big Band Week:
This is assuming that the idea behind this theme is to take songs from the era, and not simply to rework current songs for the Big Band genre, although I think I'd kind of love the latter, as much as I love actual Big Band music.
Lillie McCloud: I think Lillie could knock it out of the park with "God Bless the Child" or "I'll Be Seeing You" by Billie Holiday. But I think she should do "Summertime" from Porgy & Bess, have a real Fantasia moment with it.
Carlito Olivero: I think Carlito could have a really great week with "Come Rain or Come Shine" by Frank Sinatra, or something with a similar swagger. Michael Buble's version of "Sway" adds a Latin flavor to it, and that could do wonders for Carlito. But if he wants to take a tender approach, "The Way You Look Tonight" would work pretty well with his voice.
Alex & Sierra: Maybe the Nicole Kidman/Robbie Williams version of "Somethin' Stupid"? They're hard to pick for, but I don't think it's impossible. Maybe "When I Fall In Love" would work for them as well, although it could be incredibly sappy if done badly.
Josh Levi: "This Guy's In Love With You" by Sammy Davis, Jr. could really show people a brand new side of Josh, but if he wants to go with something a little more well known, I think he really nail "Hit the Road Jack" by Ray Charles.
Jeff Gutt: I'm not sure it would necessarily be a perfect performance, but I'd love to hear Jeff do "My Funny Valentine". But "Moondance" might actually be a bit more in his wheelhouse, as Jeff has a rocker's sensibility to his voice. He could also slay "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone if he takes the approach Muse took with it, although I'm not sure they'll let him rock-up the arrangement this week.
Ellona Santiago: I'd love for her to sing "Cry Me A River" by Julie London or "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin, as she has a soft, syrupy quality to her voice that's just dying to get a chance to shine.
Restless Road: "Nice N' Easy" by Frank Sinatra would be great for them, as would "That's Life". They could also work magic with "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You". Whatever they sing, it should be something light and fun, as opposed to dour and serious. Maybe "Mack the Knife"?
Rion Paige: I'd love if she did "Theme from New York, New York," or maybe "Moon River". This could be a really surprising week for her, provided she's given a big song for her suitably big voice. "Someone to Watch Over Me" could give her a real moment.
So what do you think about the Top 10 week on The X Factor USA? How about Top 8 Week? What should the finalists sing? And who could go all the way? Sound off in the comments!