** The X Factor: Season 1 ***

[Blzer]

Re: ** The X Factor: Season 1 ***

Don't know if anyone else is watching this season, but they've got down to three acts.

I don't like Carlito, and it's a tossup for me here between Jeff Gutt (only because I like rock) and Alex & Sierra. The latter is a duet that I loved since their first audition.

But good lord, they sang something the other night that I just cannot stop listening to. It is so beautiful in so many ways, and it's exponentiated with the love and chemistry that these two have. They just seem so humbled, raw, and it's like they give each other strength through their songs. They emote and look at each other as they sing like nothing else in the world matters.


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Yeah, I hope they win this thing.

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: ** The X Factor: Season 1 ***

Don't know if anyone else is watching this season, but they've got down to three acts.

I don't like Carlito, and it's a tossup for me here between Jeff Gutt (only because I like rock) and Alex & Sierra. The latter is a duet that I loved since their first audition.

But good lord, they sang something the other night that I just cannot stop listening to. It is so beautiful in so many ways, and it's exponentiated with the love and chemistry that these two have. They just seem so humbled, raw, and it's like they give each other strength through their songs. They emote and look at each other as they sing like nothing else in the world matters.


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Yeah, I hope they win this thing.

I've seen the entire season but missed the opening night auditions. Didn't realize Alex and Sierra sung 'Toxic'. There are certain songs that should never be sung on a singing competition--any song by Britney Spears' fits that bill. However, their rendition of 'toxic' was absolutely incredible.

Carlito has gotten better, Jeff Gutt is still good as usual, but I am definitely rooting for Alex and Sierra. If or when Alex/Sierra wins, I hope the album stays true to what we have seen on the x-factor. I simply hate it when the winning contestants stray from what put them on the map.

That also reminds me that I have to pick up Sara Bareilles' albums.

Side Note: still waiting for Carly Rose Sonenclar (from x-factor season 2) to put out her album. Her rendition of "Feeling Good" was absolutely ridiculous. And I hope her album consist of tracks that have the vibe of "Feeling Good."

That first note, absolutely ridiculous--goosebumps.

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[Blzer]

Re: ** The X Factor: Season 1 ***

I've seen the entire season but missed the opening night auditions. Didn't realize Alex and Sierra sung 'Toxic'. There are certain songs that should never be sung on a singing competition--any song by Britney Spears' fits that bill. However, their rendition of 'toxic' was absolutely incredible.

Carlito has gotten better, Jeff Gutt is still good as usual, but I am definitely rooting for Alex and Sierra. If or when Alex/Sierra wins, I hope the album stays true to what we have seen on the x-factor. I simply hate it when the winning contestants stray from what put them on the map.

That also reminds me that I have to pick up Sara Bareilles' albums.

Yeah, this duo captivated me immediately. By that, I mean the pre-intro package before they even stepped on the stage, let alone sung Toxic. I believe there are some couples who really just "have it," and these two do. Then they opened their mouths... somewhat lacking in confidence and poise, but it's exactly who they are and they always have been. Like I said, it seems Alex picks up Sierra so much every time they sing, and it seems Sierra gives Alex purpose to be up on stage in general.

To say they're cute and adorable is an understatement, and it doesn't take much for them to make me choke up when they sing because of everything built up through their character being poured out into music. The song I posted is a tear-shedder easily, especially when I watch the video. I bought it on iTunes and have listened to it like ten times on loop already, and although the vocals are stellar (Alex's roughness that he puts in it combining with his falsetto, and Sierra keeping soft with a ridiculous note in the middle), it's the video where they stand in the light rig and the multiple cameras show the crowd support as they lock eyes and truly sing these words to each other.

Do these two deserve this much praise and description? Before this song, perhaps. After this song, definitely. This is an "it" group that, as you put so eloquently, needs to be exactly as they are now for like the rest of their lives. I really don't think they're going to change, either. It doesn't seem like they want to be in the business to change things up. With all of the covers they've done, they're all had an "Alex & Sierra" stamp on it. Speaking of which, it might be that I'm loving this song so much because I've never heard of this song before (nor do I know Sara Bareilles by name), and part of me feels like if I go and listen to the original that it would destroy the rawness of this song... like listening to Titanium on Pitch Perfect, American Idol, and the Madilyn Bailey cover then listening to the actual song. Magic gone at that point, and I don't know what to expect out of Sara Bareilles. The fact that she's not a duet might destroy the appeal of this for me.

Side Note: still waiting for Carly Rose Sonenclar (from x-factor season 2) to put out her album. Her rendition of "Feeling Good" was absolutely ridiculous. And I hope her album consist of tracks that have the vibe of "Feeling Good."

That first note, absolutely ridiculous--goosebumps.

<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ej04VAktzyE" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

This current season (don't know which it is, actually) is the first season I've watched, so I haven't seen past performances or heard of other groups unless they were mentioned on the show.

Wow, little Carly Rose is phenomenal! How far did she get in the competition? I like her moxy. She's really got something, and I hope to hear more from her later in the future. She has great, great tone!

[strawberryshortcake]

Re: ** The X Factor: Season 1 ***

Yeah, this duo captivated me immediately. By that, I mean the pre-intro package before they even stepped on the stage, let alone sung Toxic. I believe there are some couples who really just "have it," and these two do. Then they opened their mouths... somewhat lacking in confidence and poise, but it's exactly who they are and they always have been. Like I said, it seems Alex picks up Sierra so much every time they sing, and it seems Sierra gives Alex purpose to be up on stage in general.

To say they're cute and adorable is an understatement, and it doesn't take much for them to make me choke up when they sing because of everything built up through their character being poured out into music. The song I posted is a tear-shedder easily, especially when I watch the video. I bought it on iTunes and have listened to it like ten times on loop already, and although the vocals are stellar (Alex's roughness that he puts in it combining with his falsetto, and Sierra keeping soft with a ridiculous note in the middle), it's the video where they stand in the light rig and the multiple cameras show the crowd support as they lock eyes and truly sing these words to each other.

Do these two deserve this much praise and description? Before this song, perhaps. After this song, definitely. This is an "it" group that, as you put so eloquently, needs to be exactly as they are now for like the rest of their lives. I really don't think they're going to change, either. It doesn't seem like they want to be in the business to change things up. With all of the covers they've done, they're all had an "Alex & Sierra" stamp on it. Speaking of which, it might be that I'm loving this song so much because I've never heard of this song before (nor do I know Sara Bareilles by name), and part of me feels like if I go and listen to the original that it would destroy the rawness of this song... like listening to Titanium on Pitch Perfect, American Idol, and the Madilyn Bailey cover then listening to the actual song. Magic gone at that point, and I don't know what to expect out of Sara Bareilles. The fact that she's not a duet might destroy the appeal of this for me.

This current season (don't know which it is, actually) is the first season I've watched, so I haven't seen past performances or heard of other groups unless they were mentioned on the show.

Wow, little Carly Rose is phenomenal! How far did she get in the competition? I like her moxy. She's really got something, and I hope to hear more from her later in the future. She has great, great tone!

Sara Bareilles "Love Song" I believe put her on the map. Her other songs are softer, has that "lounge" feel to it and reminds me of what Norah Jones does. Something that I can simply press play and relax at night. Difficult to say whether you should listen to the original Sara Bareilles version, but I'll say this, both version gives me goosebumps. And gravity is such a great song, it's difficult not to like the song regardless of who sings it *Knock on wood*

Titanium, great song. Always thought Madilyn Bailey's version was the original version. Wow. Angie Miller, yep remember her. Great rendition between Angie and Adam. Angie's album is something I am looking forward to.


Sara Bareilles Love Song
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Carly is working on her album, but no release date on the horizon. Carly Rose Sonenclar came up second fiddle. She was the runner up to a country singer (Tate Stevens). Even though I like country music a lot, I felt that Carly was robbed. Tate was consistently good, but I think America got it wrong on season 2. But as you well know, country fans are pretty loyal to their artists. Carly and Tate was neck and neck for 1st and 2nd throughout the season; they actually revealed the voting order for season 2 on air for several weeks. Based on amazon.com sale rankings, you'd believe Tate was voted off sooner than later.

That's one of the problems with these singing competitions (even though I love all of them, and still do), the fans don't support their favorites.

My all time favorites from these competitions has always been Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Yes, I voted for them from the get go. Katherine McPhee was one of my other favorites, but unfortunately the first album she released did not match up to what put her on the map. Too much "pop" and "r&b" flare compared to what she did on American Idol. Her second album was much better, and I bought her second album. Here's a sample of what I WISHED Katherine Mcphee would have done with her first album. I was actually very disappointed and even a little mad with Katharine's debut album. And the same goes with Adam Lambert. I sampled his album on Amazon, and I was absolutely shocked at the direction he went. Wasn't going to buy his album regardless, but it did not resemble anything of what he did on Idol's stage. Very disappointing.

If you listen to Katherine Mcphee's american idol performances, especially the softer ballads, compared to her first album release, that's kind of what I meant when an artist strays from what put them on the map. Hopefully Alex/Sierra stays true to themselves. Katherine could have been great as well had she stuck with ballads.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow
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The Prayer
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Can't Help Falling in Love
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I've got you under my skin
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Katharine Mcphee - Don't Forget Me (from NBC television show, SMASH)
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[Blzer]

Re: ** The X Factor: Season 1 ***

Ah yes, I know Love Song. I might bite the bullet momentarily and listen to her original for Gravity, especially because I'm guessing the song is longer so Alex & Sierra didn't sing a few parts, maybe even an entire verse.

Katharine will be different because she is an individual artist and sex sells. She has been the hottest contestant on American Idol and was probably willing to go that route for her career. I just don't really know what Alex & Sierra will let happen to them if they get the $1 million contract, but it just looks like they won't let much get in the way of their lives. Jeff Gutt is a different story: he re-entered this competition to prove something, win, and make his father and son proud all the meanwhile. It's easier to let him be him anyway though because he's a rocker of classic and modern, and you're not about to make him a pop artist (though I would have said the same thing for Daughtry until their recent album).

Alex & Sierra went together and did what they did because it looked fun, but they have won the masses over as well with their character. Alone, I don't know if these two would particularly stand out. Their voices are nice (I actually felt a little Norah Jones in Sierra myself), but I'm rooting for this success story more than anything. Actually, they all have good stories.

That's too bad about Carly Rose, and I'm kind of hypocritical in that vein as well. I sit here and see someone I like get voted off, then I say "Why the hell didn't anybody vote for the right people?" Yet I didn't vote for anybody myself. I guess I have an excuse though in that I have to watch these off a recording and can't catch them live. No matter what happens for any of these cats, I'd like to hear their names again in the future somewhere. I wouldn't stick around forever to listen to Alex & Sierra with multiple albums and go to any concerts of theirs while I possibly could for Jeff Gutt, but I see Gutt more as an American Idol type and these two simply just have the X Factor, if that makes sense.

[Blzer]

Re: ** The X Factor: Season 1 ***

So just an update on Alex & Sierra, a duo who I got to see live in February and loved every bit of...

They apparently have broken up, both professionally as a band and personally as a romance.

I am devastated. They were the Cory & Topanga of real life, in that if there was one relationship that you saw would and could last a lifetime and be the trademark for all relationships that are to be, this would be it.

As for The X Factor, that show remains long gone here in the U.S. No real news there.