Post by JXSternPost by The SentinelAnyway, here's tonight's song list. I'll post some comments later...
1. Patrice Pike
"Beautiful Thing" by Patrice Pike (original song)
I thought the song was very competently written, and her performance
more engaged and natural than any before. It's to hear this song that
Patrice was kept around for this week - since we'd already heard
Zayra's. I like Patrice, but she doesn't fit these three dinosaurs.
I wouldn't be surprised if a condition of her being on the show was so
she could perform an original song. Having done that, she's free to
go. I understand that she has an album coming out soon (or plans to,
or something), so the show is good exposure for her.
Post by JXSternPost by The Sentinel2. MaGni
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
He's very good, but this was too much like the original. He should
have done the Cake version. </sarc>
You, my good person, owe me a new keyboard. I should know better than
to read usenet while drinking a carbonated beverage. :-)
I called him as the encore immediately after watching this, and after
watching the rest, I'm not sure that I'd change my mind. This guy is
the real deal, and probably too good for Supernova. Anyone know if any
of his band's music is online? He's definitely on my radar.
And again, the band is stretching for criticism. When the only thing
they can point out is that he hadn't broken anything it shows that
there's nothing they can teach this guy. Personally, I think he's too
good for the band.
Post by JXSternPost by The Sentinel3. Ryan Star
"Back of Your Car" by Ryan Star (original song)
I called it. Ryan is this year's Marty Casey.
The mechanics of the song were OK but not as good as Patrice's,
however the performance was more Supernova-ish. He has the talent to
front the band, but maybe not to hang out in the hotel bar with them.
He definitely wants this, and it shows. Good on him. Tossing the
guitar immediately after the band's comments to Magni was a bit too
obvious. His original was decent, but not as immediately catchy as
"Prety Vegas" or "Trees".
Post by JXSternPost by The Sentinel4. Sweet Stormy McLarge
"Cryin'" by Aerosmith
Again, I thought Storm did a fantastic interpretation and performance
of a song that shouldn't even be in the mix. This was VERY much like
last week's performance, but Dave liked this one, and kept trying to
kick grass over his vomit from last week.
I have no idea what the guys want from Storm. He has the goods, and
can easily front the band. But comments like Tommy's show a definite
lack of respect for her. It seems obvious that she's not being
seriously considered. It could be because she has her own band already
and is here for exposure (like Patrice and Zayra). I'm hoping for a
knock out week from her, but it'd better happen soon.
Post by JXSternPost by The Sentinel5. Dilana
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police
Is this a song Supernova would cover? Does anybody want to cover
Sting songs? I guess even Supernova plans for a few downtempo sngs,
and Dilana did make this sound the way Supernova *might* go for it,
and that's pretty good.
Believe it or not, but she bores me, and this performance bored me.
Post by JXSternDilana did a competent job, and she sometimes
lets a very sweet sound come through her throaty rasp, but I still
can't tell if she has any control over it.
This was better than I had expected -- I didn't think her voice would
be suited for the song, but she did a fine job on it. Nothing
spectacular, mind you, just good.
Post by JXSternShe's a total pro performer, but I'm unconvinced she could do
the job in the studio. That is, would you want to *listen* to a
studio recording of her performances they way they've been delivered
live?
No, no I could not. Not by a long shot.
Post by JXSternPost by The Sentinel6. Toby Rand
"Layla" by Eric Clapton
The band played the classic version licks, and I even like the slow
(acoustic?) Clapton version as well, but this version was just a hash,
and Toby's running around like a loon did nothing for me. I'd put
this bottom 3 - anyone who knows the song would hate this rendition,
people who don't know the song would hear a few trademark chords and
just a wack performance.
Didn't hate it, didn't love it. Took a chance rearranging a classic,
and it didn't pay off. It's a risky song to do in a competetion,
anyway. For me, the best part of the original is not the vocals, but
the extended instrumentals, which ain't gonna happen in this format.
Too bad for Toby -- Rebel Yell would likely be the 'fan selection' song
for him, and he could kill that, but he might not get the chance...
Post by JXSternPost by The Sentinel7. Lukas Rossi
"All These Things That I've Done" by The Killers
Totally self-absorbed and too high-pitched for Supernova. He's
alienated enough for them, his Gothness strikes me as more current
than their Spinal Tap roots, but yeah, he's just a bit light in the
loafers. Though the band and the fans seem to like him. Heh.
Whatever.
When he sings with his natrual voice, I think he has a chance. I don't
know that he's tried hard enough yet. Maybe he's pacing himself, or
maybe this is all he's got to give. Gilby has it right with the 'back
to the audience' critique. But other than that, I though he did a good
job. Not as good as the band thinks, but good.
Post by JXSternBottom three probably Patrice and Toby and, um, Storm. They'd
probably eliminate Patrice out of sheer boredom at this point, but I
hope Storm simply volunteers to go, so maybe Patrice could stay
another week and keep Dilana company.
I'm thinking another double elimination, if they keep the same format
as last year. With only three weeks to go, and seven left, if they
want to get down to three this year, they need to eliminate two per
week. Unless the final has four or five fighting it out, which could
be cool...
Patrice got what she was looking for, I think, with national exposure,
so she can probably go home happy. Toby's never really knocked one out
of the park, so it may be too late for him. I could see either or both
being sent home.
Post by JXSternOf the rest, of course Dilana would be interesting, BUT CAN SHE SING?
Not nearly well enough, in my opinion.
Post by JXSternRyan has the chops, but not the personality to *lead* them, he's too
nice and they're too dissipated.
Let's face facts, they're not looking for a leader, they just want a
singer. The band will do the leading, and whoever they pick will need
to follow.