#1- Judith Hill- That Power (by Will I Am)

Judith Hill performing a Will I Am song is like her throwing the white flag into the air and saying “I’m sorry! I’ll do a current song!”. The problem is that Will I Am songs are written for his limited vocal range, and not for someone who is a powerhouse singer like Judith. The song seems really easy to sing, despite what Judith brings to the table. She sings a lot on the same note in sections, because Will I Am is not really a singer. I don’t know why Judith didn’t pick something better than that to sing.  FINAL GRADE- B-

#2- Holly Tucker- Done (by The Band Perry)

Well, this was a departure from last week. Instead of standing on stage and doing a mellow christian song, she’s come out with a louisville slugger and she’s coming for your headlights. I think Holly is one of the better singers in the competition, but she has a problem connecting with the material sometimes. Here, she seems to really be taking sadistic pleasure in being “done”, as Holly smiles through lyrics that she clearly hasn’t thought about. There are 8 singers left, two of them go home, 7 of them are girls, and Team Blake and Team Adam haven’t lost anyone yet. I think Holly’s time is up. FINAL GRADE: C+

#3- Michelle Chamuel, Sarah Simmons, Sasha Allen, and Judith Hill- Diamonds (by Rihanna)

There’s something very off putting about Sarah’s jarring tone when put in a group. She needs to always be a solo act. I can hear her standing out even when all four girls are singing, nevermind what she sounds like in her solo. I think Sasha’s vibrato is a little out of control in parts. I think really only Michelle and Judith come out on top here, and yet somehow, this is the best thing that has happened so far tonight. FINAL GRADE: B

#4- The Swon Brothers- Seven Bridges Road (The Eagles)

The Swon Brothers are not in sync with their background singers in the beginning. It’s really odd. But once the music kicks in, and everyone has a constant rhythm to stick to, it becomes a solid country performance. The kind you could sit around a bonfire and listen to… oh hey! Look! There’s a bonfire on the stage! I think the Swon Brothers have a cool sound, and this song showcased that pretty well. Also, being the last guys in the competition can’t hurt either. FINAL GRADE: B

#5- Sasha Allen- Without You (David Guetta)

Her voice just feels shaky tonight compared to other nights. I don’t know if she’s fighting something back, but her vibrato is all over the place this week. The pitch was a little inconsistent, she felt screechy to me on the high notes, and her vibrato is just so pronounced. I think she sounds totally different this week. That being said, I think the song choice worked for her, and it wasn’t nearly as theatrical as her previous performances. I don’t know if Sasha can survive a week though where she isn’t vocally up to par. She’s the last member of Team Shakira, maybe that can help. FINAL GRADE: C+

#6- Sarah Simmons- Somebody That I Used To Know (Gotye)

The way this song is written allows you to slide around a lot, and potentially sound out of tune. I think Sarah is overacting in her performance, which is a shame, because it distracts from her vocal. I wouldn’t have chosen this song, because it is oversung to the point of people starting to find it off putting. I think Sarah could be in trouble tonight. FINAL GRADE: B-

#7- Danielle Bradbury, Holly Tucker, The Swon Brothers, and Amber Carrington- Something More (Sugarland)

It’s a “country off”. Five vocalists who in theory should mesh together, seem to act more like their standing on a line and waiting for you to pick one. Anyone else see how many close-up shots Danielle got compared to Holly? That’s the producers making a subdued suggestion. Vote for Danielle, not Holly. Plus, I think Danielle was featured more in the song than anyone else. I think all four of them did a great job though. Best vocal of the night. FINAL GRADE: A-

#8- Michelle Chamuel- Grenade (Bruno Mars)

What an odd song choice. I think it almost pays off for Michelle. This song was just such a huge hit, it’s hard to forget what the original sounded like, and Michelle’s doesn’t quite match that. It’s not that she’s not singing it at Bruno’s level, it’s the stripped down arrangement, which seems to take the soul from the song a bit. But as a showcase for Michelle, I think it definitely works enough to keep her around. It is definitely interesting, and one of the more compelling performances in a very ho-hum evening. FINAL GRADE: B+

#9- Danielle Bradbury- Grandpa (The Judds)

The very first Grandpa was gross, and way below her register. They built her a fucking HOUSE, with a porch swing. SERIOUSLY? That’s how badly you want her to win? She didn’t just get mirrors, or a bonfire, she got a home with a porch, and a porch swing… and plants… and steps. Look at the detail on her set. As far as her performance goes, it’s pretty typical Danielle, though I don’t think this song goes anywhere. It relies 100% on the lyrics, which are cute, I suppose. I think Danielle sang an average song well tonight. FINAL GRADE: B+

#10- Amber Carrington- Skyfall (Adele)

I’m not sure how I feel about Amber throwing away her country roots now for a second week in a row. She’s mimicing Adele a lot here, and it doesn’t sound like Amber normally sounds. If we’re comparing this to last week’s Breakaway, I would have to create a new letter in front of A at the beginning of the alphabet to help highlight the difference in the two performances. However, I don’t agree with throwing country out the door, and then trying to sound like Adele. Is this the best vocal of the night? Definitely. Amber picked a song that actually is a rangy song (sorry Judith, Danielle, Sasha) and then sang the crap out of it. Amber is back in the game. FINAL GRADE: A-

Who Should Go Home: Holly and Sasha

Who Will Go Home: Holly and Sarah