'X Factor' Recap - Top 10 (British Invasion)

Last week’s elimination show was a dream, OK? Rachel is still in the competition while Tim and Rion were sent packing. Right? Right?!?!

Nope, we’re still stuck with those two while Rachel and Sweet Suspense were, unfortunately, eliminated last week. This leaves us with a talent pool that ranges from caliente (as Paulina would say) to however you say tepid or lukewarm in Español. But maybe I’m wrong and maybe those who have delivered some very middle-of-the-road performances in the past few weeks will step up. At least this week’s theme, British Invasion, will hopefully give the contestant’s enough leeway so they’re not just stuck with oldies or Karaoke classics.

Jeff Gutt: * * * ½
It’s funny, last week Simon (rightly) compared Jeff to Spinal Tap and I totally understand why. Although his voice has real rock cred, Jeff often comes across like a guy playing a rock star. “Bohemian Rhapsody” was both a terrible and wonderful song choice (Jeff called it “flattering and scary,” basically same thing). On one hand, it’s one of the best-loved rock songs of all time and one that, if you can pull it off vocally, is very impressive. On the other hand, it’s hard for this song to not feel Wayne’s World-ish and overpowering. Jeff’s performance was over-the-top but in a mostly good way, backed by giant projections and sitting atop the Iron Throne. No, that wasn’t an allusion; it quite literally was the Iron Throne. His vocals were a bit strained on the higher notes and I’m not sure it quite lived up to his “Amazing Grace,” but it was miles better than the last few weeks.

If Jeff stays on the show, I’d like to see him show a more vulnerable and stripped down side. I know he’s a single dad from the packages, but we need to get to know Jeff’s softer and more genuine side through song.

Tim Olstad: * * *
“What do I do to make you want me/What have I got to do to be heard?” Those lyrics are spookily accurate for Tim, a moderately talented singer whose voice is dwarfed but an impressive lack of stage presence. His “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest World” started off pretty well with Tim behind the piano. Be it a crutch or not, Tim feels much more comfortable playing and it shows. When he got up midway through the number (still hanging on to the piano for dear life), Tim lost his way a bit and his lack of oomph became more apparent. Really, the piano bench has more X factor than him. Afterwards, Simon tells Tim he’s more cabaret or Broadway, but at this point I’m too worn out to even argue why this is terrible and unfounded advice. Rachel was on Broadway and…oh, never mind.

If Tim stays on the show, I’d stick him back behind the piano and give him more bluesy pop tunes that allow him to connect emotionally with the audience.

Khaya Cohen: * * * * ½
Khaya’s “Save Me” song last week pretty close to perfect. This week, she sang “Let It Be.” What else to say about Khaya? She has phenomenal talent, good stage presence and great vocal tonality and control. But, more than that, she made me forget I’ve heard “Let It Be” thousands of times. How was she in the bottom two?

If Khaya stays on the show, I’d continue her voice lessons but wouldn’t do too much different. She sounds fantastic singing just about everything.

Josh Levi: * * * ½
Instead of singing, on tonight’s show Josh performed some stand up comedy. Just kidding. Luckily Josh is a better singer than comedian. His singing was quite good on an R&B version of “Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This” (arranged surprisingly well for a change) and, after his best performance last week, Josh is finally connecting to the audience and showing off his voice. I didn’t get the pointless phone both or dancing constables (who looked like they were doing slow motion calisthenics rather than real hip-hop choreography), but, hey, I enjoyed it with my eyes closed.

If Josh stays on the show, he needs more vocal lessons to strengthen his voice and give him more control on those intricate runs and a lot more dance lessons (can fellow Fox reality show contestant Fik-Shun give him some private lessons?), but Josh is on a very promising path.

Alex & Sierra:* * * ½
I think the judges have cotton in their ears. They didn’t really like last week’s performance (which I thought was fantastic) but loved this week’s (which was a big step back). Simon picked One Direction’s “Best Song Ever” (vertical integration, anyone?). The problem wasn’t really Alex & Sierra, although it’s true that Sierra seemed a bit pitchy here and there, but the song itself. Despite the hipster, acoustic arrangement, “Best Song Ever” is just a shallow, forgettable bit of pop fluff. No amount of guitar playing and sweet harmonies can change that.

If Alex & Sierra stay on the show, they need to keep doing what they’re doing, stay away from overly busy productions (no more bridges, please) and keep their harmonies and chemistry tight.

Rion Page:* * * * ½
Rion has had a rough few weeks. She has a smile that can light up the room and, when matched with the right material, has a pretty great country voice too. But, as of late, she seems lost and immature. Tonight, singing a cover of Ellie Goulding’s cover of Elton John’s “Your Song,” Rion had her best performance since the Four Chair Challenge. By singing simply on an empty stage, Rion showed a vulnerable and emotional side to her we haven’t seen before. I said earlier, that Jeff needs to show us who he is through song and that is exactly what Rion did. Bravo.

If Rion stays on the show, she needs to continue vocal training and try to pick songs that don’t challenge her as much vocally. When she’s comfortable with the material and can connect to it emotionally, something magic happens.

Carlito Olivero:* * ½
“Satisfaction” is an odd song choice for Carlito as it’s instantly recognizable but not in Carlito’s Latin sweet spot. Without the Spanish flavor, Carlito seemed even less unique than usual. Besides, no matter how many projected versions of him they have onstage, Carlito just doesn’t have that good stage presence. Four times the Carlito does not mean four times the charisma. Was it bad? No, but the only thing I’ll remember about it in the morning is Paulina fantastic pronunciation of “Mick Yaggar.”

If Carlito stays on the show, he needs to work on his stage presence, have more fun onstage and take some major pages from the Marc Anthony playbook.

Lillie McCloud: * * * * ½
Lillie’s one of the best vocalists in the competition hands down but she’s had a rocky time recently. Basically the missteps come down to inauthenticity, a big theme in this recap. As good of a singer as she is, I just didn’t believe her last week. On paper “This Woman’s Work” (known to many from the beautiful SYTYCD routine) seems like an odd choice for Lillie, but it fit her like a velvety, gospel-y glove. There was something incredibly simple, incredibly soulful and, yes, authentic, about it. I didn’t care there wasn’t a big, belting note; when Lillie connects to a song, something transcendent happens.

If Lillie stays on the show, she needs to follow her gut and stick with this style of music. She knows who she is (and that is not an acid-washed-jeans-wearing ‘80s dance queen).

Ellona Santiago: * * ½
I’m sorry, Ellona. You’re a beautiful girl but that was probably the ugliest outfit/hair combo I’ve seen this on The X Factor. I’m not sure what the ‘80s reject outfit had to do with the oversized chaise lounge and the gold-painted backup dancers in large frames. But the chaise wasn’t the only thing oversized. The song, “Burn” by Ellie Goulding, overshadowed her and left her with a flat, screechy performance. She’s not the best singer in the competition, but Ellona is capable of a lot better.

If Ellona stays on the show, she needs to get better breath support and figure out who she is as an artist.

Restless Road: * *
First of all, I might have pulled a muscle from eye rolling when they announced Restless Road would be singing “Fix You,” the (beautiful but overplayed) weepie that seems to be everywhere on TV. I applaud that they took a simpler approach this week that allowed us to really hear their vocals. But those vocals were weak and pitchy. They sounded better separate than together, but there’s still a terrible generic quality about them I can’t get over. Despite the fact it’s a very emotionally stark and honest song, the boys felt like they were singing about toothpaste or insurance or bus routes.

If Restless Road stays on the show, I’d, again, say they should connect more to the audience. Who are these boys other than vaguely attractive cowboys? If they tighten up those harmonies and let their guards down, Restless Road could have some lasting potential.

Two acts are going home on Thursday. I’d hope America would vote Tim and Carlito off, but given the way the voting went last week I’ll just pray for Lillie and Khaya.