as you must surely know by now, i love the x-factor. I am equal parts delighted and disappointed by it on a regular basis but it is surely the most engrossing reality/music show on tv in the UK at the moment. However, as i watch I am often reminded of all the talented folk out there whom I adore who are going grassroots and building up their careers and fanbase without the aid of tv's most powerful promotional tool. This little feature is dedicated to shining a light on their marvelous talent and investigating what songs they might be performing in the show... (PS both these acts are mentioned in a very ace post by Bobby!)
Let me preface this by saying I do find it quite exciting to have someone like Cher on this year's show. She's certainly not cut out to be your average contestant. Having said that, it does make me throw up in my mouth a little when Simon states that she is one of the most exciting pop acts in the UK right now. This is simply not true. She is arguably one of the more interesting contestants who covers songs of innovative artists right now. By the time her album comes out mid-late 2011, she will be a homogenised version of all those great artists she aims to be like. Sadness. DeeDee is out there and doing what Cher should be doing right now. Her "The Lowdown" EP (now on iTunes, mp3 buying fans) is a 5 song festival of gutsy, emotion-sharing, no holds barred musical magnificence that pops & sizzles with fresh sounds, tight production and the elusive "swagger" Louis Walsh keeps referring to. In short, it's an impressive debut. I've written about Balls and Endure (the latter not on the EP) already, along with the infernally catchy Bum Around (note - not Bum Love as I mortifyingly referred to it on twitter once!). There are still plenty of new delights to discover in The Lowdown ~ Balls still outranks Cee-Lo as one of the best "oh just fuck off" songs of the year. Amazing how something so theatrical and perfectly pogo pop can absolutely drip vengence and malice while still sounding so upbeat. This is one girl you don't want to piss off :) Bum Around is a call to arms to all those who do just want to follow the beat of their own (admittedly lazy) drum - and yes, I still get a rush from sing "bum bum bum bum" so many times in a row! Low sounds like it should be easily sitting in the top 5 of the charts right now - Terry Ronald and Ian Masterson have done a sterling job of crafting these percolicious melodies that wonderfully match DeeDee's distinctive vocal and offset the often cheeky downbeat lyrics. Been There Done That is my current favourite from the EP - ever been messed around? Fed up of playing manipulative mind games? This is the song / anthem for you. Hammond organs, hand claps and a galloping beat all swirl around DeeDee delivering her vocal with a real "are you kidding me" attitude. That she throws her all into the song and attacks the lyrics with such insightful finesse is what makes this EP a real winner. My x factor song choices for her so far? The Fear by Lily Allen (number ones week) & Devil in Disguise by Elvis Presley (heroes week)... Now go buy the EP :)
I love Rebecca. Like Stacey last year, she brings an element of class and elegance to everything she does. My one hope is that she gains more confidence and performs to the audience, rather than looking like she is encapsulated in her own little world. Someone who knows how to put on a show of course is my beloved Elouise. Readying another live showcase at Madame JoJos, her second EP is imminent - and features a trio of classic songs given the Elouise treatment. I've already reviewed the title track of the EP, Stardust (video above) and the Abba classic, Winner Takes It All (video below) here... and I'm excited to hear what will no doubt be a soaring take on the motivational & often quite comforting You'll Never Walk Alone. Let's return for a second to Stardust, performed live above. In the first few seconds alone, Elouise is the song. She's so invested in performing it, throwing her all into the emotion of it that her tiny figure isn't at all dwarfed by the massive stage - it's the focal point for anyone in the room. I love some of the OTT production on the X-Factor but moments like this remind you that sometimes less is most definitely more. Similarly, the piano-led Winner Takes It All interpretation performed below is all about bringing the emotion of the lyrics to life, with insightful production and an absolutely heartbreaking (almost devastatingly so) performance. As I've said before, she's the Disney princess, some years after the Prince has run off with the scullery maid and singing her heart out to those lucky enough to hear her. From 3m13 to about 3m55 in the video below - well just watch and try not to be a little bit breathless by the range of emotions on display; and the powerful note of determination after the fragility of life's fractured ways. Amazing. My x-factor song choices for her so far? All Time Low by The Wanted (a paired down piano ballad version) (number ones) and Only Yesterday by The Carpenters (heroes). And i've got a doozy lined up for her for guilty pleasures week :)
Let me preface this by saying I do find it quite exciting to have someone like Cher on this year's show. She's certainly not cut out to be your average contestant. Having said that, it does make me throw up in my mouth a little when Simon states that she is one of the most exciting pop acts in the UK right now. This is simply not true. She is arguably one of the more interesting contestants who covers songs of innovative artists right now. By the time her album comes out mid-late 2011, she will be a homogenised version of all those great artists she aims to be like. Sadness. DeeDee is out there and doing what Cher should be doing right now. Her "The Lowdown" EP (now on iTunes, mp3 buying fans) is a 5 song festival of gutsy, emotion-sharing, no holds barred musical magnificence that pops & sizzles with fresh sounds, tight production and the elusive "swagger" Louis Walsh keeps referring to. In short, it's an impressive debut. I've written about Balls and Endure (the latter not on the EP) already, along with the infernally catchy Bum Around (note - not Bum Love as I mortifyingly referred to it on twitter once!). There are still plenty of new delights to discover in The Lowdown ~ Balls still outranks Cee-Lo as one of the best "oh just fuck off" songs of the year. Amazing how something so theatrical and perfectly pogo pop can absolutely drip vengence and malice while still sounding so upbeat. This is one girl you don't want to piss off :) Bum Around is a call to arms to all those who do just want to follow the beat of their own (admittedly lazy) drum - and yes, I still get a rush from sing "bum bum bum bum" so many times in a row! Low sounds like it should be easily sitting in the top 5 of the charts right now - Terry Ronald and Ian Masterson have done a sterling job of crafting these percolicious melodies that wonderfully match DeeDee's distinctive vocal and offset the often cheeky downbeat lyrics. Been There Done That is my current favourite from the EP - ever been messed around? Fed up of playing manipulative mind games? This is the song / anthem for you. Hammond organs, hand claps and a galloping beat all swirl around DeeDee delivering her vocal with a real "are you kidding me" attitude. That she throws her all into the song and attacks the lyrics with such insightful finesse is what makes this EP a real winner. My x factor song choices for her so far? The Fear by Lily Allen (number ones week) & Devil in Disguise by Elvis Presley (heroes week)... Now go buy the EP :)
