Tonight’s theme: Lieber and Stoller, you know, those guys who helped guys like Elvis Presley rip off black artists. And there are those who will think black artists were ripped off again, as Franklin Bridge is eliminated tonight. I figured their demographic edge alone (only African American group in the bunch) would keep them afloat, but it was not to be.
And, I said they’d be one of the last three standing. Oops. Ok. New prediction. I’ve been in denial. Those metal-tots, Light of Doom are obviously not irking voters like they irk me. And hey, they are the Vote for the Worst pick! So…last three standing will be: Sixwire, The Clark Brothers and Light of Doom…
Tonight’s video packages feature the band members talking about their roles in the group. Like one big happy family. Yippee!
More recap after the jump…
Light of Doom- “Jailhouse Rock” - The kids mumble their way through their video package. I have no idea what they’re saying. The heavy-metal kids go after the classic “Jailhouse Rock” and it is….metally. It lacks the warmth and sexiness of Elvis’s version. Which, come to think of it, is probably a good thing. Sheila E says, “Rock Fabulous!” but asks them not to curse. Huh? Dicko still has reservations, but says they are becoming “more and more watchable” each week–after making a crack about one of them probably ending up in jail if they stay together long enough. Heh.
The Clark Brothers - “Saved” - The Clark Brothers are back to their gospel roots this week. Ashley, the lead singer is testifying, and it is fabulous. Just. Wow. Here’s the deal, if the Clark Brothers record a gospel album, I’m there. If they record a mainstream country album full of songs like their original “Country Time” from a few weeks back…not so much. Note to Johnny: They don’t need no stinkin’ drummer. Dicko says, “You were forthright, you were passionate, and you were righteous. And even a wretch like me feels closer to salvation.” Amen.
Dot Dot Dot - “Love Potion #9″ - The band takes an icky novelty song and updates it into a well-arranged, fun cover without over doing the camp. These guys are inventive musicians. The circusy-organ embellishment is awesome–it gives the song a fun-house feel. And lead guitarist, Rose, is not your token chick–nice little guitar solo from her. These guys are growing on me more and more each week. They get the “most improved” award. Dicko says they’ve turned a corner, the lead singer needs more personality in his voice, and the girls are “real icons.”
Cliff Wagner and the Old #7 - “Poison Ivy” - I like the arrangement of the song. It’s more country than bluegrass, and I think the performance will help them appeal to more than just bluegrass fans. It’s a pretty straight up cover of a pretty dumb song. Maybe that’s why the judges aren’t all that impressed. John and Sheila think it should have been “harder.” Dicko thinks it was “lazy” and that the band has to “prove to the industry that they are more than just slack-jawed yokels.” John gives his entire critique with his hair in his face. Bugs!
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra - “Ruby Baby” - Here it is. The disco-lounge version of “Ruby Baby” No. NoNoNo. Denver seems like a nice middle-class middle-american guy, but he’s gotta stick to performing “When the Saints Go Marching In” or whatever the band plays while on the church basement circuit. His attempt at “sexy”, with the snarls and the weird faces just doesn’t cut it here. John is to the point, “I think you guys’ funk skills are really, really limited.” Ya think, John? “…And Denver, I thought your vocal was really stiff, I thought you got outshined by your horn section…you’re the front man, and you got blown away by your own horn section.” Yep. Sheila, who must have dipped into Paula’s stash on break, gushes, “It was marvelous!” Dicko says he’s not gonna buy funk from a bunch of super-straight white boys in business casual. Yep, again. I think it’s time for these boys to go home.
Sixwire - “I Keep Forgettin’” - No 50’s or 60’s nostalgia here–this is the song Michael MacDonald made a hit back in the 80’s. The harmonies seem a little off tonight. The band does not improve on the bland original, though there is a nice instrumental break at the end that could have taken off and made the song more interesting if they’d had the time. John says it felt like they were going through the motions. Yep. Sheila says they’re now called “Sexy Wire” Eep. She says, “Technically that was great.” Is that really a compliment? Dicko says it was like a “lukewarm bath” and that it needed more of an edge.
Two bands are left. Who will go home, Tres Bien! or Franklin Bridge?
Tres Bien! makes the cut!!!
OMG. The look on the Franklin Bridge lead singer’s face is priceless. I wish Dominic had given him the opportunity to say what he was thinking. I’m sure it would have been something really arrogant and annoying. Sheila plays the whole “America got it wrong !!!” card. She soooo thinks it should be Tres Bien!–as if it really came down between the two of them.
Actually, it should have been those fake-funksters, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra.
America hates funk, y’all!
Tres Bien! - “Some Other Guy” - The show closes with an awesome rave-up. The boys rebound from last week and are back to form. Cute lead singer, Mikey, dedicates their song to Franklin Bridge before bouncing all over the stage. There’s lots of garage band goodness as the boys rip through “Some Other Guy.” John says they brought energy and urgency to their performance. Dicko says they have to be careful of being “too well-observed,” because they appear as “a bit of a pastiche.” Then, he compares them to the house band from the Corny Collins Show in Hairspray which is pretty funny. Dicko makes a good point. But lots of bands–good bands– start off derivative, and eventually grow into their own skin.
Speaking of which…
Next week? The music of the Rolling Stones…
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Ha. I actually enjoyed Light of Doom this week. Definitely Disney ready. Ashley delivered another passionate/intense vocal performance, although I can’t help but imagine what the song would sound like with some drums.
Thanks for the recap, MJ :)
Is that a shot of this week’s show? If I remember correctly Ashley was wearing a black shirt and some tight jeans. haha, perhaps I’m a little obsessed?
I really enjoyed the entire show last night. I agree with your final three picks, MJ. And I would venture to guess that Dot Dot Dot is band number 4. Although still a little over the top for me, I definately feel like they are at the most improved.
I finally enjoyed Tres Bien! I’ve been wanting to every week but this week, I think the theme was perfect for them. I loved, loved, loved, the Clark Bros. And I agree with Sheila E about “Sexy Wire” (sorry). They were a little below their usual level last night but still good.
I think time is up for either Cliff Wagner or Denver and Co. Denver’s band is great but they need a different front man. I just felt like Cliff Wagner and the old no. 7 were boring.
I think that after the comments by the lead singer of “The Hatch”, they have decided to not let the voted off bands say anything. Probably a wise move given the looks on the faces of Franklin Bridge - this is a family show after all.
I love The Clark Brothers more and more every week. I would buy their album NOW. They are GREAT.
Dot Dot Dot is definitely the most improved. I liked them at the beginning and I’m really starting to like them more as each week passes, too. Rose really can play… I’m more impressed with her every time I see her. They’re definitely my 2nd faves.
I think you’re right in your top 3 predictions, MJ. I don’t think Light of Doom is going anywhere anytime soon.
Ha. No. I’ve been so lazy with my recaps, that I just go to the MSN site and grab a photo from the previous week’s show.
Thanks, mj, and I am SO glad to see someone else who is bugged by John’s hair. SO affected.
On to the show.
This week was a bit meh for me. A couple of moderate standouts, but all-in-all….well, I really don’t much like that kind of music anyway, so there you go.
Best of the night, to me, was Tres Bien. They rocked that number and they are so darn appealing as a band.
Dot Dot Dot is starting to grow on me, despite the ridiculous Pepe LePew look most of them sport. (Goofy, rather than edgy) The lead singer was way more tolerable with the guitar. Not so over the top.
The Clark Brothers intensity just pierces right through me, and they really did a rave-up of that song. They need a real band though. Lacking the bass and drums really does diminish the overall sound, to me.
My personal faves, Sixwire, were ok, but I was quite surprised at their choice from that huge catalog of music. Michael McD. really pretty much owns that song, so anyone else is only going to compare a bit unfavorably. This band is so tight, though and I was glad to see their lead guitarist get to show his chops. And, of course, lead guy is still hawt!
Light of Doom. As I said last week, the Mighty Mouse drummer keeps that whole band both together and moderately interesting. They do entertain, but I am mostly over them.
Cliff and Denver were adequate. Both talented bands,but not my cup of tea and the songs were dull choices in my view. Mr. Mile High still looks like the eager clerk at the local Office Max, though. He is SO without any charisma, despite a decent voice.
And Franklin Bridge were simply amaz……….ed that they went home.
Denver croons, rather than belts, which is not on a par with the intensity of that killer band. They walk next week I hope.
Though I didn’t always like their arrangements, Franklin Bridge did not deserve to go home. (though Tres Bien! didn’t either). I couldn’t even watch the Tres Bien! performance. I was looking forward to hearing FB do the Stones next week and to hearing more of their originals. The look on the bass player’s face killed me…I love that guy. Seems so humble and sweet, unlike the lead singer.
The Clark Bros. rocked as usual. I think the lead singer was a tad nervous and seemed relieved at the favorable feedback from the judges.
Cliff Wagner - the song was very well executed but I found them boring. Found Sixwire boring as well. I totally missed Light of Doom’s take on Jailhouse Rock - bet the metal version was pretty good (musically anyway).
The girls in Dot Dot Dot are getting their due as superb musicians. The bassist kicked some major a$$. I didn’t really like Rose’s solo though, simply because I don’t prefer the distorted high-end tone.
I agree with your top 3 MJ. Sad that FB is gone, but still looking forward to following the show.
As I was watching this week, I realized that these performances are generally much more exciting than your regular ol’ AI performances. Riskier, less mainstream, and somehow much more satisfying. Too bad about the ratings, cuz I think this show could be a killer hit with the right handling.
Not shocked about FB. They are clearly extremely talented, but they need someone who can refine their musical vision. FB struck me as a handful of musicians playing their parts as if they were all solos. I think they lacked balance.
My rankings from awesome to meh:
Clark Brothers: “Saved” rocked! A fire and brimstone performance executed with passion.
Light of Doom: That drummer is a natural. He grabbed “Jailhouse Rock” tight and hauled ass! (Sorry, Sheila E.! I mean hauled butt!) I liked the singer’s spin on the vocals, too.
Cliff Wagner & #7: I wanted a fuller arrangement of “Poison Ivy,” though I realized while listening that Cliff has an incredible voice. Like a bluegrass Leon Redbone.
Dot Dot Dot: I wish Adam had put more energy into the vocals of “Love Potion #9,” though musically I loved the arrangement.
Tres Bien!: I did like the vocals on “Some Other Guy,” but I am having my doubts about these guys. They are just not sounding tight to me musically.
Denver: OK, while I appreciate that they took a chance on the arrangement of “Ruby Baby,” I didn’t think it really worked. Ended up making Denver’s vocals sound bland.
Sixwire: Zzzzzz…oh, did these guys play? “I Keep Forgetting” was dull as dishwater. I don’t get all the Sexy Wire talk. I find them pretty bland.
Who should go: Tres Bien. I find their musicianship lacking.
Who will go: Denver. I doubt many of the 300 Nebraskans were inspired to vote for them this week.
MJ, don’t you think that Vote For The Worst’s endorsement of Light of Doom (hate that name but love the little guys) might be a pro rather than a con for thenm. After all, they endorsed Taylor Hicks and gifted him with an oversized T-shirt the year he won AI.
Missed the show but just watched the clips that Rickey has.
Anyone else think Andy from Sixwire looks a little like a blond Taylor Hicks? Watch his eyes when he looks at the camera.
The Clark Bros. are terrific. I, too, would buy their album TODAY.
Any publicity is good publicity. So, yes, a VFTW endorsement helps rather than hurts. That was my point.
I think the reason that FB didn’t advance is that they failed to connect with the audience. They seemed full of themselves and not interested in the judges’ comments. I feel like I never got a chance to really know them.
Clark Brothers are my faves. So much passion and versatility, and a unique sound. Sexwire didn’t do itself any favors with its sleepy little number thiw weei. I think LOD will go deep in the competition They’re decent musically and their kidness is just interesting. I would be fun to see them evolve through puberty.
Next to go should be Cliff or Denver — one will go this week and the other the next.
I’m wondering how many bands will be in the finale and how that will be handled. Since they’re doing single-elimination now, they won’t be able to conclude by Christmas without a three-band finale. But maybe they’re gonna hold the finale until after the holidays? I know there will be a new show the Friday after Thanksgiving b/c I already have tix to the taping.
I remember reading something about that on the FOX AI site at one point, that it does end with a 3 band finale.
Dang, I lost my 4 paragraph reply! Ok, I’m tired, typing with a broken elbow but have to at least say the Clark Brothers are my pick for the win and Ashley could sing anything and feel it! But last night, I had goosebumps at the last Saved. If Ashley would have asked “Did you receive it tonight?” He would have had many converts! I hope they sell downloads at some point like AI, cause I am waiting to buy Maggie’s Farm, Billy the Kid and Saved!
Those little “Doomies” are creepy. And for hgoodness sake “PUT ON YOUR DAMN SHIRT”. You are showing us nothing , what next no pants ? Just go away you hairy , shirtless , loud little annoying creeps.
Yep, you are right mj, America really does hate funk. Too bad. I liked Franklin Bridge.
Think maybe their sound was to complicated for the pop audience. Jazz/Funk/Soul/Rock with no real hooks. Just not commercial.
Still loving the Clark Brothers. Not that into Sixwire. Liked them at first, but they’ve been boring as hell the last couple of weeks.
My picks for the final 3? Clark Brothers, Sixwire, and Dot Dot Dot.
Would love to know what the vote totals are. And really, who votes??
Why oh Why is Denver still hanging in? Nerd vote?
Think that VFTW is actually having an impact due to fewer people voting. They’re probably the strongest voting block. hahaha!
I voted a few times for Dot Dot Dot. The show is not as bad as the ratings would indicate.