Friday, November 1, 2013

X Factor Australia 5 Wrap-Up: 20 Best Performances

X Factor Australia crowned it's fifth winner with Dami Im, it's time for the obligatory wrap-up post the series review. Again, this will be VERY subjective, but it's fun to take a look back at some of the best live performances of this season. It's not as tough as I thought, but that's not to say the performances were weak - there were actually a couple of stand outs.

So, what performances made the list?
 
20. Careless Whisper
Omar Dean
[TOP 7]
I admit, never liked how he always transitions to his falsetto and fail miserably, but he somehow put it to good use here. His vocals were almost flawless, his falsetto was mostly solid and he connected well with the song. Very nice.

19. Pump It
Third D3gree
[TOP 6]
What a nice comeback after a disappointing performance prior to this performance! This was pretty strong with the group's infectious energy, Kelebek's standout rapping and Jacinta's soaring vocals as per usual. I wouldn't say their best performance, but this is obviously up there.

18. Let Her Go
Taylor Henderson
[TOP 9]
Minus the lazy vocal styling - he ended his phrases as if he was bored - I found this performance very soothing. His tone was sublime on this song and the liberties he took with the melody was enough to not sound karaoke but was able to put a stamp on the song. Very nice.

17. Somebody That I Used To Know
Jiordan Tolli
[TOP 5]
While this would've been perfect if she just had stripped down the arrangement - maybe just with a piano? - this was actually quite good. Yes, she didn't take any risks in terms of her vocals as this sounded a bit of a copy, but you just can't deny the beauty of her tone.

16. Pound The Alarm
Third D3gree
[TOP 4]
I don't know with you, but this proved that Third D3gree has the potential to be a serious force in the music industry. Their version of this song was compelling with some great staging and little choreography here and there. Plus, Jacinta's voice sounded awesome and she has way more vocal control than any of the remaining finalists. Just saying.

15. Joey
Joelle
[TOP 8]
Although the key during the verses was a little low for her range, Joelle's beautiful tone shined through on this song. Her pitch was almost flawless, and her connection to the song was palpable. This was actually a pretty emotional vocal performance.

14. And I Am Telling You
Dami Im
[FINALE]
She just tore this song up. No, Dami's version wasn't the best - I've heard better renditions of it, look up Jessica Sanchez - but on this context, she nailed it. There's enough grit to her voice to give character to the song, her diction was crystal clear, and I felt like she connected with the material really well. Good job.

13. Til The World Ends
Third D3gree
[TOP 11]
I initially had reservations as this could really turn out to be a hot mess, but they really worked it out. The guy stepped up his vocals, the harmonies were tight, the rapping was terrific and there was a certain cohesion in this performance.

12. Some Nights
Taylor Henderson
[FINALE]
Fantastic! He sounded fine at the beginning - as if it couldn't get any better than that - but he turned it all up and the dynamics he put in his own take of the song was really good. The last part was particularly brilliant and this reminded me why I was rooting for him since the beginning.

11. Battle Scars
Third D3gree
[TOP 5]
SOLID. Jacinta's vocals were powerful enough that it actually stole the show. Hands down, best vocal of the episode and Kelebek's rapping was just on point. Jordan's part were a bit uneven, but I honestly didn't mind. This performance had enough dynamics that it's actually quite compelling.

10. Royals
Jiordan Tolli
[TOP 6]
She seems like she never performs to her potential, but Jiordan sold me this performance. To me, Royals was a match made in heaven. Her vocals were stunning, her tone suited the song perfectly, her phrasing sounded fantastic, and she had some stage presence going on. Her best performance by a mile.

09. Purple Rain
Dami Im
[TOP 11]
She went a little shouty in parts, but the last few bars were FANTASTIC! She connected well with the material, her voice really soared, and some of the liberties she took with the song was pretty stellar. Good job.

08. I Will Wait
Taylor Henderson
[TOP 10]
On paper, this should've been a total trainwreck, but Taylor's tone and voice shockingly worked with this Mumford & Sons tune backed with a charismatic persona on stage. He was every bit believable on this performance and this somehow made me consider him, at least that moment, a serious contender for the title.

07. Best Of You
Dami Im
[TOP 8]
This actually sounded legit. Sure, she pulled off One quite brilliantly, but I didn't expect for her to be able to repeat that with Best Of You. From the vocal dynamics down to her stage presence, and there's enough intensity to the whole performance and to her voice to make this sound authentic.

06. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Taylor Henderson
[TOP 4]
The acoustic verse was fantastic, and while the transition to the almost folksy arrangement was a bit jarring at first, Taylor sold this version of the song. It was actually quite refreshing and his vocals were on point. I loved the hitch in his voice that made it sound more authentic. Pretty riveting.

05. By The Way
Third D3gree
[TOP 8]
The thing about Third D3gree was that they were pretty inconsistent. However, when they're on, they're on fire! I was a bit worried that they'll not be able to rebound after the mess of performance prior to this week, but this was pretty stellar. Kelebek's rapping was outstanding, Jordan sounded very good, which I didn't expect, and Jacinta's vocals were on point. Plus, the arrangement was pretty brilliant.

04. Bridge Over Troubled Water
Dami Im
[TOP 7]
As overdone as the song choice was and as distracting as her weird left sleeve, Dami's version of Bridge Over Troubled Water was sublime!! Everything from the modulation to her phrasing to her vocal dynamics were outstanding. Love this!

03. Wake Me Up
Taylor Henderson
[TOP 6]
AWESOME! I didn't doubt Taylor vocally on this one, but if I'm being honest, I was more worried if he could pull off something this upbeat, but he managed to combine strong vocals with some undeniable charisma and great stage presence. He looked like a legit popstar. Who knew?

02. Thriller
Jiordan Tolli
[TOP 11]
Brilliant interpretation. Impeccable phrasing. Outstanding vocal dynamics. This was fabulous. Well done.

01. One
Dami Im
[TOP 12]
SO GOOD! Unique staging. Outstanding build up. Great intensity. Pristine vocals.

1 comments:

benj said...

thanks DAM!! :) Dami & Third D3gree the best! actually australias x factor finalists are far more better than us x factor finalists.. just saying.. :)

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