So where was the iconic film music on The X Factor?

“It’s been a blast” said Steve Jones at the end of the competition part of this week on The X Factor.

Huh.

I scratched my head about where “the blast” may have been, but more importantly: Where were all the “iconic film numbers” we were supposed to enjoy and reminisce about through the two hours? Truth be told, I got fed up with trying to correlate the songs and the films; it was an exercise in futility

Stacy Francis, Marcus Canty, Drew, Leroy Bell and the can’t-tell-one-from-the-other Lakoda Rayne all left me wondering: 1) what song was being sung or, 2) what film the “iconic tune” was coming from. Of course, I’m embellishing with that statement, but nothing from these particular contestants — nothing I tell you — was notable. I didn’t even remember Stacy’s tune right away. (It was Whitney Houston’s “Queen Of The Night.” But here’s the thing: If it isn’t immediately recognizable, how can it possibly be “iconic” … ???) Marcus was frantic and looked like he was trying to scratch his ass before I finally figured out he was attempting to doff his jacket. Drew did an uneven, extremely disjointed Coldplay’s “Fix You” and Leroy just seemed tired with his U2 choice. Lakoda Rayne? Completely white bread throwaway.

It wasn’t until Astro’s impressive and rearranged take on Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” where things finally turned around. He’s a cocky little firecracker, but he’s got the chops to back up that attitude. (Calling out Frasier and Heavy D was just showboating, however.) Melanie Amaro put out a solid Michael Jackson take and I was even bippin’ and boppin’ a bit through the unevenness of Stereo Hogzz “Ain’t No Other Man” (because I like that song) regardless of the fact they’re not long for the competition.

But where things really got me to take interest was with Josh Krajcik’s effort, a performance that wasn’t the star of the evening but which definitely superseded the craptastickness of his back up singers. Despite their best efforts, Josh managed to take (a finally iconic) “A Little Help From My Friends” and make it his own.

But that wasn’t the end of it. Things kept building from there.

No better pick for Chris Rene could have come than the rap-erized “Pastime Paradise” from Stevie Wonder’s Songs In The Key Of Life. Yes, there were definitely shaky spots in the performance. But he was able to offer something solid which won the hearts and applause of the audience in the process. He may have even stepped things up because of Astro’s dazzling feat before him. If not for being pushed, he might have simply left a so-so performance languishing on stage. Instead, he offered a tone filled with both swagger and humbleness, an interesting combination.

And then there’s Rachel Crow, who really knocked it out of the park. Wow! This emotive, exuding powerhouse of a girl exemplified a master rendition of  “I’d Rather Go Blind” which she herself chose for the evening’s finale. (Something made plainly clear post-performance during the back and forth between the judges.)

Yes … at the end of it all, there was some grandeur and spectacle, mostly by Astro and Rachel. (Don’t let the fact rap may not be your cup of tea — if you saw it, you have to admit Astro tore it up.) These two performers’ offerings are what made you watch a little more closely. Because it certainly wasn’t the show’s theme that pushed any buttons.

Bottom 2? Let’s toss Stereo Hogzz in there once more along with Drew. I really want to include the indiscernible Lakoda Rayne as well. (Hokay! I will!) It wouldn’t surprise me if any of these three get nixed, but I’ll go with the Hogzz heading off into the sunset as they should have last week.

Clacked by Michael Noble
on Nov 10, 2011 @ 10:46 EST5EDT