‘The X Factor’ top 7 recap: did you feel it, Michael Jackson?
Rachel Crow could be in danger Wednesday night. CREDIT: Rick Mickshaw/FOX
Loading ...It’s more than two years since Michael Jackson died, but his music lives on. “X Factor” chose him as a theme, the same one “Idol” did season 8. But there’s nothing wrong with reprising it. M.J. has such a deep playlist of potential songs, he is worthy of the spotlight.
They even brought Michael Jackson’s kids to the show. Unfortunately, they sat stiffly in the audience, looking like they’d rather be playing their Wii at home or texting their friends. Blanket looked downright traumatized in front of the cameras. “It was a well put-together show,” Prince said, with some level of enthusiasm, at the end when Robo-host forced a comment out of him. (My DVR cut off before we got to Blanket’s comments.)
And nobody dared make a tacky Conrad Murray reference.
As for the show, I enjoyed several of the performances, with Drew lifting her game and Melanie elevating what I consider a rather mediocre M.J. song. Josh was not given a good song either and looked a bit absurd with the stripper-style dancers around him. Both Chris and Astro entertained me. Marcus and Rachel fell short. My rankings:
1. Drew 2. Melanie 3. Chris 4. Astro 5. Josh 6. Rachel 7. Marcus
Who will go home: Marcus and Rachel. Astro is also potentially going home over Rachel. Though the readers of this blog generally hate the 15 year old, the voter pool is likely very different from who reads this.
1) Josh Krajcik (Nicole’s team “Dirty Diana”) – This is one of my least favorite M.J. songs. It has a weak chorus and doesn’t have much in the way of melodic range. But it is a rock song to a degree and Josh is positioning himself in that arena. He does an adequate job with it. The dancers? Distracting, like “Solid Gold” meets the Pink Pony. I am glad he got to show off a little guitar work. “As a spectacle… it was great. However, you were over-produced,” Simon said. “You got lost in all the choreography. This is not you on stage. This is what Nicole wants to be.” Nicole then snipes back that she’s willing to take risks and Simon does not with his contestants. (Snap!) Grade: B-plus
Loading ...2) Astro (L.A.’s team, “Black or White”) – The one M.J. hit that actually included rap is this 1992 cheesy but catchy ditty. He does his own little rap about tolerance. As usual, he is entertaining and his raps come off clean and thoughtful. The Michael Jackson kids looked nonplussed. “I don’t know if this is my favorite performance by you. But I loved your lyrics,” Nicole said. Simon disagreed: “What I loved is that new hook at the end. I’m glad the public kept you. You deserve to be here.” Grade: B-plus/A-minus.
3) Drew (Simon’s team “Billie Jean”) – David Cook did a brilliantly grungy version of this song season 7 of “Idol.” This is now the singer-songwriter version. And surprisingly, it works with Drew. She brings her own angst and drama. The way she sits, though, with her knees awkwardly knocked in like that, belies her age. That was my favorite Drew performance in ages. “You made it your own and it pains me to say this, but I liked it,” L.A. said, stealing Paula’s favorite line. Nicole didn’t get her being stuck in the chair. “You’re playing it safe with Drew,” she said to Simon. Grade: A
4) Rachel Crow (Simon’s team “Can You Feel It”) – She opens oddly out of breath and off key at points. And that afro is not flattering on her. She does it with plenty of her trademark spirit. She sounds better toward the end. Again, the MJ kids look decidedly unexcited about this. “This is the first time I watched you and didn’t feel like you were having a good time,” L.A. said. “I felt it as much as I could,” Rachel responded. “Normally you shine. I didn’t feel like you felt it,” Nicole said. Grade: B/B-plus
5) Marcus Canty (L.A.’s team, “P.Y.T.”) – He has a good voice for this song but he really doesn’t add much new or interesting to the song. I’ve never found his vocals terribly unique. Nicole and Paula call him the “whole package” but I don’t feel the X Factor. I feel like he’s derivative in so many ways. Simon: “The vocals weren’t very good.” Grade: B/B-plus
6) Chris Rene (L.A.’s team “I’ll Be There”) Interesting trivia: his grandfather wrote “Rockin’ Robin.” Small world! I appreciate that Chris can sing as well as rap, unlike Astro. He’s grown on me over the weeks. I like his heart. The 25 back-up singers do swallow him up. His rap interlude though was not one of his better ones. But overall, I felt his performance. Grade: A-minus
7) Melanie Amaro (Simon’s team “Earth Sing”) – Melanie with that frizzy hair and that Elvira-ish outfit? Not so good. Her trouble many weeks has been not connecting with the lyrics. I’m still not sure if she’s got that down but she can really sing the heck out of one of M.J.’s lesser songs. It was powerful. “Not only the best of the night but one of the best performances I’ve seen on the show,” Nicole said. Grade: A-minus
For a bonus, here’s video of the Jackson kids, who made an appearance at the show.
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
187 comments Add your comment
Deirdre
December 1st, 2011
9:01 am
Question: How old is Blanket? Is he painfully shy or does he have underlying problems?
Ron Burgundy
December 1st, 2011
9:02 am
I just don’t get people wanting to celebrate a man who chose drugs over his kids, who has been criminally investigated for child molestation. Sad.
Ron Burgundy
December 1st, 2011
9:03 am
Does blanket have an underlying problem? Are you serious? He had Michael Jackson as a dad. I would say he has a “little’ underlying problem.
Rosita
December 1st, 2011
9:07 am
Hello there! I tuned in briefly last night and the guy who was singing was so flat and off-time that I wondered if he could possibly be one of the final 7. I thought he must be a side act who was just somebody’s brother. OH WELL: it was Chris Rene. An A- performance, Rodney???? Did you have earplugs in? I’ve only watched this season sporadically but, for what it’s worth, I see two singers in that group: Josh and Melanie.
Like I said, for what it s worth.
Cheery pip, all.
Mercedes S.
December 1st, 2011
9:08 am
Blanket is definitely old enough to choose a real name for himself. Find it hard to believe it says “Blanket” on his birth certificate.
Mercedes S.
December 1st, 2011
9:09 am
Btw, was Blanket the baby MJ dangled over the balcony railing?
Deirdre
December 1st, 2011
9:12 am
The Jackson Family will milk MJ’s music for everything they can get. They aren’t “celebrating” Michael. They’re using him. Kinda reminds me of MLK’s family!
Deirdre
December 1st, 2011
9:15 am
Mercedes, yes that was Blanket. Blanket’s real name is Prince Michael II(Prince being Prince Michael I)
Rickster
December 1st, 2011
9:20 am
Josh – did the besxt he could with a horrible song choice. In trouble.
Astro: LA doesn’t tell him to do something different the way he does Drew, does he?
Drew: Her best performance so dfar. Showed more range & strength than I thought she had.
Rachel: Not one of m favorite Jacksons song.. but she did it well.
Marcus: Justin Guarini did a better version in Season 1 – without all the sideshow stuff
Chris: Nothing new to report.
Melanie: I think we saw a star in the making. She very well may win the whole thing. ANd to think Simon originally sent her home.
But who cares about the contestants? It’s all about the judges!!
RxDawg
December 1st, 2011
9:24 am
“I record the show and watch it in 30 minutes, otherwise it is a waste of my time”
Ditto. But I do the same with Idol. I just got tired of dedicating 3hrs a week to the show, so I did my own editing
Deirdre
December 1st, 2011
9:33 am
But who cares about the contestants? It’s all about the judges!!
Spot on! I get the feeling that the contestants are there to give the judges something to talk about.
Watcher
December 1st, 2011
9:34 am
I think Meliane is the best of the group.
RxDawg
December 1st, 2011
9:35 am
Dirty Diana is actually one of my favortie MJ songs. Josh just kinda blew it (luckily, he didn’t blow as bad as some others). He sang it in a different key and it just lacked the angst that MJ brought to it.
RxDawg
December 1st, 2011
9:36 am
Plus, I find it hard to hear and understand Josh when he sings his lower register stuff. This annoys me a lot.
Scorp
December 1st, 2011
9:37 am
“What have we done to the world, Look what we’ve done”
Rodney- U think that’s one of Michael’s worst songs??? It’s a really introspective song that makes us all think about the current state of our life! I also disagree with you on Dirty Diana being one of his worst songs…I question your musical ear!
Sam-A
December 1st, 2011
10:02 am
Agree with RoHo – never heard of “DD”, thankfully – and don’t care to again. First time I’ve not liked Josh’s performance, mainly due to this song.
Harriett
December 1st, 2011
10:07 am
You know, I have been busy lately, but that is not the only reason I have been kind of scarce on the blog. It just came into focus last night how little I really care about this show; hence my lack of posting about it. I watch it because there is not anything else, but I have failed to become invested in it beyond liking to hear Josh and Melanie sing. But if they bothe went home it wouldn’t bother me.
Rickster
December 1st, 2011
10:09 am
Sorry about the typos.
Rickster
December 1st, 2011
10:10 am
Unless they make major changes in the show’s make-up (i.e. judges, host) I doubt I’ll watch next year.
DanJ
December 1st, 2011
10:11 am
I find any show that limits the choice of songs to an individuals songbook stupid. I love the Beatles, Eagles, Rolling Stones etc but there’s only X number of great songs that fit a singing competition. I preferred Idol when they chose decades or themes such as Country, R&B, Rock.
If you’re looking for something different try 1 hit wonders or songs with State’s or Cities in their title. Anything that’s somewhat different. Honestly I don’t want to hear Josh sing Michael Jackson. Go with a Motown theme instead. Those that want to do a Jaskson 5 so be it but I’d prefer to hear Josh sing Marvin Gaye. Maybe Sexual Healing. Melanie sing something from Diana Ross. It make no sense to LIMIT the contestants and the viewers to an individuals songbook, especially one that’s been done over and over!
Rickster
December 1st, 2011
10:14 am
The bickering back & forth between the judges is just soooooooooo juvenile and beneath people of their (supposed) stature.
smk
December 1st, 2011
10:58 am
Rodney – you didn’t miss Blanket’s comments because the poor kid never said a word. He looked scared to death to me. I agee that Astro is really talented, but if they’re going to have categories in the competition, then I don’t think writing your own lyrics to “acknowledge” the category is fair to the rest of the contestants. The rock week was a joke, and I think that’s why Rastro (can’t help it) was in the bottom two that week. I like musical rap (really enjoying Chris Rene for the most part although he needs to work on pitch), but not “talking” – I don’t think Rastro can sing a note to save his life. It’s the X-Factor, though, not necessarily singing, so maybe he can get away with it and win it all. Regardless, he’ll do well in the rap world. I like Melanie and Drew the best in terms of actual singing, but didn’t actually like anyone that much last night. Not the best night for XF….
Pitchy
December 1st, 2011
11:10 am
@Deidre – I was trying to be nice, but I too think there may be some underlying problems with Blanket. That boy hasn’t uttered one word while in public. Well, not when I’ve seen him in the media.
Jared
December 1st, 2011
11:14 am
Drew is the best by a land slide i think shes safe
The Bottom 2 will probaly be Marcus and Chris
I Hope the bottom 2 is Astro and Rachel
Possibly the bottom 2 Josh and Marcus
Jared
December 1st, 2011
11:16 am
all of you drew haters can quit watching it.
Your probaly the same girl with a different name and a made up email
putting her down she is the best your jealous
By far Josh and Astro Rachel and Marcus should leave
jakcie
December 1st, 2011
11:16 am
Drew rocks
Julia kid
December 1st, 2011
11:17 am
Drew is the best ever
Big Bioy band
December 1st, 2011
11:18 am
Drew is put down for being predictble now she is put down for sitting down in a chair just beacuse thahey have to put her down and she is so good they have to think of something
Freddie Krueger 3rd shift manager
December 1st, 2011
11:18 am
Astro bye bye
Kevin Nash Hater
December 1st, 2011
11:20 am
Drewis the best i dont want to hear any argument wait you sayed she sucked well get your ear plugs out of your head she is great
East wilkesboro
December 1st, 2011
11:20 am
Drew is great
Greggy sulkinfan
December 1st, 2011
11:21 am
Drew rocks josh sucks
Adam young
December 1st, 2011
11:22 am
drew is great does anyone know if it costs to vote if you use a cell phone im not talking minutes im talking money
Rickster
December 1st, 2011
11:29 am
All I know is that if Drew says the kid is not her son…. I believe her.
G
December 1st, 2011
11:39 am
Sing-off finished another successful season. Congrats to Season 3 winner, Penatonix! All the most taleted singers are on the Sing Off, and everyone else appears on the other shows. *snicker*
Melanie: Another great performance. She’s worth the 5M prize today. She’s definitely the strongest female singer by a country mile.
Josh – I’m not going to give Josh a break today. If he’s that good of a singer, he should be able to sing the phone book, right? Just like any other singer that has a bad night, he should be on the block. I like Josh, but he had one of his worse performances. I’m sure he has his share of AI-type fans that will support him no matter what, but he surely fell short last night.
Astro: At least he’s consistent. Astro’s a rapper. Do you “really” expect him to sing? GTFOH if you do. LOL! Blame LA for bringing him in, and his fans for keeping him in. Hate the game, not the player.
Drew: Still don’t get it, and she is currently the weakest female singer remaining. Outside of Astro, she’s the worst singer left in the competition, and definitely the worst performer. All I know is that she’s not worth 5M or even $500 for a gig. The kid should go now.
Chris: Decent job. He performed a marketable show. His formula worked for me last night.
Rachel: MJ was right up her alley. Decent job. She should stay based on her performance last night.
Marcus: Some may think this guy is over the top, and should just sit on a stool and sing. WRONG! He will be marketed as an r&b artist, and most of his show will be what you’re seeing. He’s “Usher-r&b”, not “Luther Vandros” r&b. He’s probably worth 4 of the 5M at this point. LA can make this kid a lot of r&b money past the show.
RxDawg
December 1st, 2011
11:55 am
G, I’m 100% with you word for word.
Rickster
December 1st, 2011
11:56 am
Was anyone else offended by Paula’s “I’m the only impartial judge… Simon, you better be nice” comment?
Sounded like a veiled threat that if Simon ticked her off too badly, she’d vote against any of his acts if they wound up in the bottom two.
Rickster
December 1st, 2011
12:00 pm
Okay… maybe “offended” isn’t the right word. Maybe “troubled” is more appropriate.
Mercedes S.
December 1st, 2011
12:05 pm
But it’s true – Paula can say what she wants now.
78dawg
December 1st, 2011
12:07 pm
When will this show use the real votes? No way ASStro should still be around. A brat, chip on his shoulder, America owes me this, monotone yelling out words to a beat. He has NO TALENT !!
DanJ
December 1st, 2011
12:11 pm
Rickster, Paula is right because she no longer has a dog in the fight!
XFactor is turning out to be an EGO contest for the mentors. Sort of: “Mine is better than yours!”
Sam-A
December 1st, 2011
12:13 pm
Boyo, Jared: you sure came up with a bunch of fako names quickly, after accusing those many of us who can’t stand Drew’s “singing” that we’re one person using bunches of names! HAA
Pitchy
December 1st, 2011
12:18 pm
@G – that was an accurate breakdown of all the acts.
@RHo – you think there’s an opening at AJC for an honest critic for other shows (lolol)?
JTesla
December 1st, 2011
12:25 pm
I’m not surprised that… I can’t call anyone blanket because it is DUMB, so I’m not surprised that II is a little camera shy. A majority of people probably are.
Thanks for catching me up on the show. I might tune in for the finale, but only if they limit to one hour.
Pitchy
December 1st, 2011
12:28 pm
@JTesla – I understand you can’t call him “Blanket,” but how did you come up with the name “II?”
Pitchy
December 1st, 2011
12:43 pm
Is II a symbol for a twin bed????
Monica
December 1st, 2011
12:44 pm
Blanket did not speak
JTesla
December 1st, 2011
1:03 pm
II from Prince Michael II. I guess I could just refer to him as deuce, but that wouldn’t be nice.
Deirdre
December 1st, 2011
1:14 pm
Sigh! Does anyone read my posts? Prince Michael II(Blanket) is the younger brother of Prince Michael I(Prince).
I see Jared is trying to prove that one person can post with a lot of different names.
All I know is that if Drew says the kid is not her son…. I believe her. LOL!
That’s twice I’ve quoted you today, Rickster! You’re on a roll!
Deirdre
December 1st, 2011
1:16 pm
Seriously, MJ gave his boys dogs’ names.