Week two of the finals and I was hoping the nerves didn’t kick in as much as they did on the opener.

Andy
I was critical of Andy’s moves last week and unfortunately he still shuffles around the stage with all the grace of a Thunderbirds puppet.

Last week, his vocal performance was more than adequate enough to make up for his wooden stature. This week he failed to sparkle. It was a competent enough vocal but we already know he is capable of more.

Rating:

Chenai
I’m sure the cleavage is worth a few votes but it was a poor song for Chenai and she seemed out of her depth singing a song which did very little to showcase her undoubted vocal talent.

The gloves are off now and this is competitive. Nerves seemed to having a noticeable impact and at this stage in the competition she doesn’t look like a winner.

Rating:

4Tune
Out of it

As an ensemble they don’t seem too bad, but this week called for some solo passages, which really didn’t come off.

Louis was spot on in highlighting Simon’s lack of involvement in his acts. It is simply not on that Mister Cowell doesn’t even know the first names of a group he is supposed to be mentoring.

Rating:

Chico
The joke isn’t funny anymore. Vocally woeful and the charm was wearing a tad thin by now.

The sparkle in the eyes wasn’t there on the night; perhaps the pressures are taking their toll.

Rating:

Nicholas
“Let’s get it on,??? sang Nicholas. I didn’t actually consider turning it off but the thought briefly crossed my mind. The lad can sing but there was something missing tonight, something not quite hitting the spot.

Simon said it was the best performance of the night so far and that wouldn’t have been too tricky. I still think there is more and better to come from this guy.

Rating:

The Conway Sisters
Another shaky performance from the group that puts me in mind of The Corrs, until they of course they start singing. The voices didn’t seem to blend that well and Marie’s lead seemed wobbly and unconfident.

Rating:

Maria
If you could put your finger on what makes the magic that provides the X Factor, you’d make a fortune. Whatever it is, Maria possesses it.

Looking and sounding like a winner already, she could well be around at the last knockings.

Great.

Rating:

Phillip
I warmed to Phillip more than last week but most noticeably on the big notes he struggled, which is sad.

As his confidence grows, so his performances may improve. On the night though, not good enough.

Rating:

Journey South
Was I harsh with my Butlins comment last week? Maybe, but not by much.

If these guys were playing the lounge bar of my local, I’m sure I’d have great night but I don’t see much of a recording career ahead of them.

Rating:

Brenda
Brenda sang Rescue Me but was definitely in no need of rescue on the night. She took ownership of the stage and on a night when many others didn’t give of their best, she shone like a beacon.

Truly sensational Saturday night entertainment.

Rating:

Shayne
I thought Shayne was great in week one but this week the song didn’t suit him and it was an unpolished and disappointing performance, which actually grated at times.

There was a definite hint of Mickey Mouse in the high notes. He’ll bounce back of course.

The judges were very complimentary, making me wonder, as at times last year, just what the quality of the sound in the studio is like.

Rating:

Dek’s Ratings
1. Brenda
2. Maria
3. Andy
Worst on the night: Phillip


All in all a disappointing night with many of the acts failing to raise their game or still being overcome by nerves. Interestingly the acts I’ve rated in the top three tonight all hail from Sharon’s category and I was really close to having a clean sweep by including Chico as my worst.

The showdown
Phillip is lucky to have scraped through in my opinion.

With neither Chenai nor 4Tune giving top rank earlier in the evening, their performance in the sing off could be vital.

Although visibly upset, Chenai managed to find that vital bit of pizzazz that had been so obviously missing a couple of hours before. As for 4Tune, it still didn’t work for me, though I still felt they had potential.

Although she milked the drama for all it was worth, I didn’t envy Sharon having to pick between the two.

Simon is now two acts down and must take some responsibility for that.

More next week.