The X Factor Rocks

This week The X Factor contestants came ready to rock. But did they succeed?

Sally Chatfield started the show with a bang with Paramore’s “Decode.” I agree with Ronan that it was a bit safe, but when she delivers it’s hard to be too critical. I thought she definitely brought her own flavour to it and sounded brilliant.

I was so inspired and hopeful while watching Mitchell Smith’s package, listening to him speak about how he’d gone walkabout and was coming back to the music he loved. But his performance of “Jessie’s Girl” let me down all over again. I am the biggest 80s loving Rick Springfield fan, but this just wasn’t the song for him. I can enjoy anyone doing this song, but it also felt cheesy and a bit artificial. It was just okay for me, and any points I gave it are mostly because I love the song.

Hayley Teal brought things back with Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love.” She’s such a sexy girl, but I felt like this is the first time we’ve had a performance to match that sex appeal. It was smouldering and natural and just sublime. She might have always envisioned herself as the soul girl, but I think there’s a rock chick begging to be explored.

Luke and Joel brought a little Foo Fighters to the evening with “Best of You.” Honestly, it’s a bit hard for me to review this as my digital reception decided to play up, but what I heard was great. The crowd seemed to love it to, so hopefully they did enough to make it through. They’re definitely growing on me.

After Kyle’s misstep for Mitchell, I was a bit worried about what he’d pick for Andrew Lawson. But I was pleasantly surprised by his version of “Crocodile Rock.” He still looked a bit awkward up there, but he did enough with his vocals to sell it.

I was a bit dubious when I heard India-Rose Madderom was taking on Goo Goo Dolls and “Iris.” I was actually talking about Goo Goo Dolls earlier in the night when I felt Mitchell’s song choice let him down, but this wasn’t what I would have given her. Having said that, I think she did quite well with it. She made it her own and that was interesting, but I definitely didn’t love it the way that I love the original.

I was a bit concerned about what Mahogany would bring to rock week, but I needn’t have been. Guy’s choice of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was inspired. The treatment was beautiful, and this was the girls back to their very best.

Altiyan Childs gave us a fitting end to rock night with U2’s “Beautiful Day.” I’ve never warmed to this song, but with Altiyan’s brand of madness it was lots of fun. You’ve just got to allow yourself to get swept up in his bravado. Everyone loves an underdog, and right now there’s a lot to love about Altiyan.

And now one has to go. Mitchell’s still failing to impress me, but given the support he’s got with the young female voting public I’m kind of worried about who else will get the chop.

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