Culturally Preconditioned

I LOVE watching the reality drama segment and I always wait for the Banjo Twang of Shame moment (this week we heard it during Dilana’s suggestion of using ‘Ctrl-Alt-Delete’ for her song lyrics). I just realized that we are actually more privileged than our North American counterparts because the web episodes (the 20-minutes reality drama segment) is actually shown on the air, whereas they can only watch it over the internet. It was one of the more fun episodes to watch where you can see them actually having fun in the swimming pool.

Dilana ~ Behind Blue Eyes (The Who)

I don’t know if what I’m gonna say has somehow been affected by what the editors have been shoving in our faces, but seriously, I have never seen such a great fall from grace than Dilana. From the can-do-no-wrong girl, she has somehow turned into this do-everything-wrong girl. Such negative editting I have ever witnessed I tell you. Her stocks have definitely plummeted to the middle of the earth and it’s crystal clear that they (Te Powers That Be) absolutely do not want her to win. What a shame. Anyway, she started off rather weak, bt picked it up for bit. Sadly, it was one of her weakest performance to date. 6 out of 10.

Dilana ~ Super Soul (original composition)

Whatever the producers are trying to do, it’s working. Two weeks ago, I probably would’ve been floored over this performance, but tonight I felt it was just okay with a lower case ‘o’. It’s not catchy at all. Am I disappointed? Sure. The only thing that she’s proven this week is she ain’t no songwriter. 5.5 out of 10.

Magni ~ Back In The USSR (The Beatles)

Although slightly drowned out by the music, I thought Magni did good. I like his voice tonight. It seemed a little different. Good different. It was as though he found that delicate balance of becoming half of the cool and subdued Magni, and half of the angry intense Magni. Me likey. 6 out of 10.

Magni ~ When The Time Comes (original composition)

I don’t care much for this performance, or the song itself. The bridge sounded weird for me. I guess maybe it’s the kind of song that will grow on you? But Tommy brought up a great point (I was thinking it, but wasn’t writing it down). Both the performances sounded too similar. His tart response came off a little cocky, but also a little funny at the same time. “It sounds the same cause I’m singing it”. OooOooOoOOooh Suh-NAPPP!!! 5 out of 10.

Storm ~ Suffragrate City (David Bowie)

I like the suit that she was wearing tonight. Storm sounded slightly off in all of the verses, in my opinion. The chorus was good, and she really picked it up towards the end, which deserves serious praise. Nice. 7.5 out of 10.

Storm ~ Ladylike (original composition)

I’m not feeling much at all for this song. I think it would sound a gazillion times better if she went ahead and sung “what the FUCK is Ladylike?” (I know she sung “what the WHAT is ladylike” because of censorship issues, but still.. i would’ve felt a lot better about this song even if they bleeped out the word FUCK). No, I’m not getting what the fuss is all about the performance. It was just decent for me. 6 out of 10.

Lukas ~ Livin On A Prayer (Bon Jovi)

I am NOT a fan of Lukas, and am NOT a fan of Bon Jovi. That said, I thought the slow rearrangement of the song was interesting. In a great way? In a bad way? I can’t really tell. But he changed the melody of the chorus too damn much. He could’ve made this a winning performance, but he didn’t. 5 out of 10.

Lukas ~ Head Spinning (original composition)

I actually liked this song. The chorus is way catchy. They lyrics is somewhat decent (yeah I could actually make out some of the lyrics that he sang). Well done. Good job you midget freak. 7.5 out of 10.

Toby ~ Mr Brightside (the Killers)

It’s easy to dismiss Toby as the pretty boy front man, but I have always found most of his performances fun. Although he sounded a little flat (not sure if this is attributed to the song itself or not), but Toby almost always manages to make a song anthemic. He did really well with this song. 7.5 out of 10.

Toby ~ Throw It Away (original composition)

That was a great great song. He’s a smart guy. It’s really catchy and easy to get the immediate reactions from the audience (the oh oh oh oh parts) which is important when introducing a never-been-heard song. It’s a great and smart way for people to easily get into the performance. (I’m actually really surprised Navarro and Gilby say almost the same things that I did!). I loved it. Aside from Zayra and possibly Ryan, this is one of the original compositions that really deserves an encore. 8.5 out of 10.

I love love love this picture. It looks like it’s a photo shot right out of the set of “Clue” doesn’t it?