Two contestants head home tonight.
The Swon Brothers- Turn The Page by Bob Seger
Really, a pretty solid country/rock performance. These guys aren’t terrific singers, so they have to keep it pretty simple vocally, and this song doesn’t require too much from them. The Swon Brothers do an excellent job of picking a song that’s right for them as an artist, and could be on a CD of theirs in the future. GRADE: B+
Sasha Allen- And I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
I don’t know what compelled Sasha to choose this song. It’s not right for her voice. The timing is off in the beginning, it comes off as screechy/screamy karaoke. Sasha pretty much just knocked a nail in her coffin this week. I don’t think she can survive this. GRADE: C-
Michelle Chamuel- Clarity by Zedd feat Foxes
Another solid performance from Michelle. Like the Swon Brothers, this song fits right into her wheelhouse. It’s not her best performance, but coming off of last week’s one-two-punch, that would be hard to do. She is turning into quite the electric performer though, whereas the Swon Brothers are trapped to their guitars. GRADE: B+
Danielle Bradbery- Please Remember Me by Tim McGraw
This is one of those songs you don’t recognize until the chorus, because the verse is so generic. That basically embodies how I feel about Danielle, a generic country girl, who is extremely marketable. It’s not a risky song choice, but it’s a solid song choice for Danielle. At some point, Danielle should have to really take a risk and turn a song country. I don’t think she should win this competition just by singing super-safe country ballads every week. GRADE: B
Amber Carrington- Firework by Katy Perry
Amber has evolved a lot as an artist during this competition, probably more than everyone else. But, she seems to be devolving again this week. The beginning of the song is really off pitch, not great. I don’t think this was a great song for Amber to sing, and I really like Amber. I think, based on the first round of performances, her and Sasha are in the most danger. GRADE: C
The Swon Brothers- Danny’s Song by Loggins and Messina
This is incredible. A great interpretation of a classic song. The Swon Brothers are really hitting the right notes in the competition in the week that matters. Best performance so far of the night. These guys might actually sneak into the finale. GRADE: A
Sasha Allen- Bad Girls by Donna Summer
SERIOUSLY? Did Sasha sleep with Shakira’s boyfriend or something? I would only assign this song to someone I hated. Doing Disco on a singing competition? Doing Donna Summer? I would bet all my money on Sasha being one of the two going home tonight. All of it. House, car, everything. I’m not even sure Sasha bothered learning all the words to the song, as she mumbles a bit in the middle. I think Sasha is more talented than this song, and for what its worth, I actually liked it a bit more than her overwrought Whitney tribute. GRADE: C+
Danielle Bradbery- Who I Am by Jessica Andrews
Danielle clearly connects with these lyrics, and even though she’s typically a teen robot, I think she actually understands this song. It allows her to soar even more vocally. This should easily hit the top 10 on Itunes. Probably her best performance in weeks. GRADE: A-
Amber Carrington- Sad by Maroon 5
She’s pitchy in the beginning, even though it stylistically is almost supposed to be that way, she’s still a little more than normal. But she works her way into the song, and the arrangement is really good. I’m surprised Adam picked his own song for her, but it really works for her. This could be her single on the radio, right now. If Amber’s first song had been better, I’d feel solid about her Top 3 chances, but I don’t know… GRADE: A-
Michelle Chamuel- Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
Another Cyndi Lauper song for Michelle. This is a pretty safe choice for Michelle. This is probably still who Michelle is as an artist though, even though this isn’t terribly current. Michelle was really consistent tonight. GRADE: B+
Going Home Tonight: DEFINITELY Sasha. Sadly, probably Amber (unless Sad charts in the Top 10 on Itunes, then the Brothers Swon will exit).
