One Direction - Up All Night

Deep breathe now, mates, prepare yourselves. My name is Gorgeous Nightmare, and I......am a One Directioner. I do not deny it, I love One Direction. I stayed up and watched all of the KCA's just to see One Direction's performance, even though I detested everyone else at that awards show. I bought three copies of their debut album, simply because one version had a poster, one had exclusive pictures of the band, and the third had a scrapbook instead of a normal booklet. But luckily, I am still a somewhat older teen girl, so I have something of an excuse to my fangirling out on this band.

If any of you have read any of my previous articles, you know I am an extreme metal gal. The darker the better. Men dressed as goth corpses normally strike my fancy. So why do I desperately love a pop band, a pop boy band at that? Because they are really very superb, that's why.

One Direction started out as five solo singers on The X-Factor UK in 2010. They were all on the brink of being sent home, when Simon Cowell decided to save them by putting them together as a group. Four-fifths of One Direction, Liam Payne, Louis (pronounced Lou-ie) Tomlinson, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik are from England, with the exception being Niall Horan, who is from Ireland. These lads have got a ton going for them: good looks, pure talent, determination, and Simon Cowell's belief.

I don't like singing shows, to be honest. I like my singers to make the rounds the old fashioned way, playing at dives until they catch the eye of a record label. My facebook had an ad with these guys on it when they were still on the X-Factor, with the label, "Meet the next Justin Beibers" I opened it, because I don't like to be behind on the uptake, even if I don't listen to mainstream. (Don't make me relive my school's reaction to me not knowing who The Situation was earlier this year!) I expected a laugh, and some cringes. What I did not expect was to be blown away by the talent these guys possess at their age. When they first got together in 2010, they ranged from 16 to 18 years old.

What's even better, One Direction sound amazing live. At the KCA's they blew Katy Perry out of the water performance-wise. Lots of pop singers are disappointments live, when you discover your favorite artist is nothing without the bells and whistles from a studio. Nope, One Direction are as perfect live as they are on CD. Even better in my opinion. The auto-tune or whatever diminishes their individual voice's sound a teeny bit. I almost couldn't tell Liam from Niall just by listening, and that bothered me, considering they each have little aspects that make their voice unique and wonderful.

Having this gig as a writer, someone gave me a free download of their single, "One Thing" as an acoustic version. I loved it; raw talent just pours out of these guys like water from a spout. In the accompanying video, the lads were singing their super-hit, "What Makes You Beautiful" acoustically. One Direction were slumped on couches, relaxing, most of them not even wearing shoes, and they still sounded exceptional.
"More Than This", a ballad on the album, sticks out among the other ballads, it truly showcases how great these guys' voices are. It's heart-wrenchingly despair-filled. "When he opens his arms and holds you close tonight, it just won't feel right, cause I can love you more than this. When he lays you down I might just die inside, it just don't feel right, cause I can love you more than this." Oh, come on, it pulls your heart strings a bit now, doesn't it?

"What Makes You Beautiful" is a made-for-summer hit that sounds like it would be right at home being blasted out of a car with the top down as it heads to the beach. The video is set on the beach, too, confirming my thoughts on it. Another thing I really liked about the video was the girls in it. Everyone has seen the 'music video girls'. You know, the drop-dead gorgeous, enviable figured girls you just know went home with one of the band members due to their shimmying and shaking all over the place. The girls in "What Makes You Beautiful" are very pretty, yes, but they aren't overly made up, nor are they scantily clad, popping and locking all over the camera. They're the kind of girls you see and say, "Hey, I look like that, those boys must like normal girls!" Morale booster a bit?

The next music video was for their next hit, "One Thing." The boys are dressed as almost like a mod-Beatles, and they are gallivanting around London. The beginning shows the boys running around a park, genuinely being cute and adorable. The rest of video shows scores of One Direction's dedicated fanbase, and how One Direction interact with them. One Direction are very loyal to their fans, constantly tweeting, 'how is everyone? how was your guys' day?' to their followers, in addition to asking them questions, like Zayn's 'I've just shaved my head, not sure what you guys will think, I'll post a pic in a few. tell me what you think. x' It was an April Fools Day joke, as Zayn has a signature hairstyle, but you get the idea.

I noticed that there seems to be a more guitar-oriented sound to One Direction. Instead of all synths, and machines, a lot of songs have catchy, smooth guitar lines that give One Direction a nice edge in the competition of pop singers. They don't look like other pop singers either. Everyone is trying to be the next Lady GaGa, or Justin Beiber, face it, it's the sad truth nowadays for the mainstream. One Direction dresses quite sharply, with nice jackets and plain t-shirts underneath, or patterned jumpers, nice trousers, with plain white or plain black trainers. In some shots, they are seen with suspenders, and bow-ties, like a mod-40's look. Very nice, fitting for the good-looking lads, I would say. Simplicity puts the focus on their music and talents, not how 'outrageous' they can seem like some other stars.

Talks were made in getting the boys their own show on Nickelodeon, a fact that many One Direction fans were NOT happy about. Fears that the boys were going to turn into squeaky clean friends, Big Time Rush were happily put to rest by the band themselves. All five members agreed that they are focused soley on their music careers, and not looking to making any forays into the world of acting, beyond making tv appearances as themselves. I'm happy, because really, I like One Direction the way they are, hopeless romantics in their songs, but in interviews, they're dirty minded and and make jokes about each others sex lives. They're 18-20 and they act like they're 18-20. =)

One Direction are beloved (maybe a bit too much, haha) in their native countries, England, and Ireland. They've debuted in America the past month, to much fanfare, and much adoration. Some fans camped outside the Today Show's building for three days merely to catch a glimpse of One Direction making their North America debut! News is still spreading throughout America about the band, but already they have leagues of hardcore fans here.

Good looks, great songs, love for their fans, One Direction seem poised on the threshold to take over the pop world. They've captured the hearts of millions upon millions of fans around the world, and are now taking the United States by storm. Is there anything these guys can't do?


--Gorgeous Nightmare

This Year's X Factor Winner!

...is Aledxandra Burke.

I must admit, I'm happy that Eoghan didn't win and JLS got close(so at least they get a contract with Louis and they're not bound by X Factor terms..) but there is one problem with Alexandra winning.

You see, she's got this big, gorgeous voice and she knows how to use it. Does that description remind you of an X Factor alumnus?

Of course it does.

I'm worried for Alexandra's sake that Simon might turn her into another Leona Lewis. Don't get me wrong, I think Leona's got a gorgeous voice and I think she deserves what she's gotten since she won but do we really need another Leona clone?

Alexandra's different from Leona in the fact that Leona sings ballads and Alexandra sings up-tempos. Although Alexandra can do both, I think to show people that she's not going to be turned into another Leona Simon should emphasize on her uptempos and maybe a few ballads.

Still, congratulations to Alexandra and JLS for making the top two! I expect amazing albums from them next year!

The X Factor FINAL!

You guys don't know how figgin' excited I am for this year's final.

WESTLIFE ARE GONNA BE SINGING! WESTLIFE! DO YOU HEAR ME, WESTLIFFFFFFFFFFFFEEEEEE! AAAHHH!

And here I was thinking that they'd stick to their pact of not performing for the next nine months before they go back into the studio. Oh well, at least we're assured that they're still in fact together.

OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! (I think I stopped breathing when it was confirmed.)

Enough of the freaking out.

Rumor has it that Westlife, who were supposed to sing with Alexandra, are singing with JLS(seriously Louis, do you really want to make it obvious that you're trying to turn JLS into the next Westlife?) Beyonce's singing with Alexandra and Boyzone(what's this, a boyband-fest with Louis heading it?) are singing with Eoghan(poor guy..).

As I DON'T live in the UK, I won't be doing a live coverage of the final. I'll be doing it a few hours later, once I've gotten access to the show(via my favorite torrent site!) in full and THEN I'll do a live blog where I'll make the entry as I see the performances.

But I'll most probably know the winner before I even watch the final. Tsk. Tsk.

X Factor 5 Live Show - Week 9

WHAT THE CRAP HAPPENED THIS WEEK? Diana shouldn't have gone, even if I thought her first performance wasn't very good.

The Boy: Eoghan's performances tonight were a little strange. At least I was kinda weird-ed out. Something about the second song just made me really uncomfortable.

The Group: JLS WERE AMAZING THIS WEEK. Now wasn't I right since the very beginning, they are SO gonna win! I loved their first performance and their second one was mind-blowing but is Louis trying too hard to make them the new Westlife? This is the second week in a row that JLS have sung a song Westlife covered, first it was You Light Up My Life(from TLA) and this week it was I'm Already There(from Back Home..). Their performance of IAT even had similarities to last year's Westlife X Factor performance of the song especially the pyro at the end. Wanna see?

This is the Westlife performance from 2007: 

And THIS is the JLS performance of said song:

Sense the similarities? They're all in suits, they all walk from the back to the mic stands and at the end, the take the mics off the stands and walk in front of them and fireworks start exploding. Oh, and the smoke machine!

The Girls: DIANA SHOULDN'T HAVE WENT, I CANNOT BELIEVE SHE WENT. Seriously, she deserved to be in the final over Eoghan. She had a better voice, a quirkier image and she had the makings of a star. WHY? Alexandra though, was amazing tonight. I never really liked her during the earlier stages but now I'm seeing that she has what it takes. I say it's JLS vs. Alexandra for the winner!

The Results Show Performance: Il Divo - Amazing Grace. I never really liked them.

The sum-up in one sentence: EOGHAN SHOULD'VE GONE, NOT DIANA!

What I want to happen next week: Alexandra and JLS to battle it out after Eoghan goes.

X Factor 5 Live Show - Week 8

I can't believe Ruth went this week, it should've been Eoghan. NOOO!!

American themed this week, I haven't seen Britney's performance yet, but I might watch it sometime tonight.

The Boy: Eoghan did OK, but he was by far the weakest in terms of vocals. He's cute, he can sing songs OK, but he doesn't have Alexandra's powerhouse voice or Diana's amazing control and quirk. He should've gone instead of Ruth this week, really.

The Group: Their first song was a bit disastrous, but their second song was amazing. One thing though, isn't Louis pushing it too hard with the Westlife thing? I mean, those outfits resemble their opening outfits during the Face To Face tour and that song was one of the band's favorites on their 2006 release, The Love Album, that Louis and Simon picked for them. Still, they're amazing singers and they are so in the final!

The Girls: Amazing stuff from the girls tonight and like last week, that's all that needs to be said.

The Over 25: Let me repeat it again, RUTH SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE. She's an amazing singer and performer, she had every right to be in the semi-final. Garrr.

The results show performance: Britney's Womanizer, and Miley Cyrus sang at the end of the live show(pre-recorded..)

The sum-up in one sentence: EOGHAN SHOULD'VE WENT, NOT RUTH!

What I want to happen next week: Eoghan to go, so Alexandra, Diana and JLS can let the competition begin.

X Factor 5 Live Show - Week 7

Argh, I didn't do this last week. Gar. Gar. Gar. But it's back, so rejoice!(I think..)

DANIEL FINALLY WENT LAST WEEK! YEEEEESSSSSSSSSS! I'm so happy that we don't have to suffer seeing another beautiful song being murdered.

Take That week! I'm loving their new stuff, but watching all their old videos keeps on slipping my mind(maybe I should do it tomorrow morning..), so I quite enjoyed this week's show. So what did I think?

The Boy: Eoghan's performance was good, it was strong, and I loved the song for him. I've heard it before, but I had no idea it was Take That, so for once, I enjoyed it! Although, for a short while there, he was being overpowered by the choir of girls, did he not know the notes, or was it really meant to be like that? He still deserved to go through, though.

The Group: JLS were consistent again this week, they sang the song beautifully, definitely didn't deserve to be in the bottom two. On the song choice issue, I side with Dannii, she had every right to choose the song she did(see my comment below.).

The Girls: Eep! Alexandra and Diana were AMAZING! Brilliance. What more can I say?

The Over 25's: Ruth's performance was consistent, and it was very good. Rachel. She has a beautiful voice, over-sings a bit, but that can be remedied, by choosing the right songs. You hear the gorgeous Take That version that was very slow, very gentle but slowly built up to a grand-ish ending, and it was a HUGE hit, so everybody pretty much knows that song by heart, and then you hear Rachel's over-sung, shrill-ish version and it's like, "I'm not convinced," so I think it was her time to go.

The results show performance: The AMAZING new Same Difference single, which was clearly mimed, but amazing. Then Rhydian's new single as well!

The sum-up in one sentence: The right things happened at the right time this week, so I'm happy.

What I want to happen next week: Everyone to rock next week, but I think Eoghan is closer to the bottom two than everyone else.

New Videos!

I have class tomorrow, so I might not be able to post but for now, here are some amazing new videos!

The video for Hero is out, we saw a few clips and behind the scenes footage during last Saturday's live show, so here we have the video in full! Amazing stuff.


The new Natalie Bassingthwaighte video is out as well..


A bit off topic: I've heard the new Same Difference single! Bad quality, but I ADORE IT! EEP! *freaks out*

X Factor 5 Live Show - Week 5

It was Mariah Carey week, and with that comes a lot of pressure, so how did everything come out?

The Boy: Eoghan was so-so this week, nothing special, but enough to get him through to next week.

The Girls: Let me get one thing straight, LAURA SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE HOME! She had one of the best voices, and I can't believe she was sent home. Diana couldn't perform this week, and it was so devastating to see what she was going through, I know how much laryngitis can affect your voice and your chances of being able to perform. Alexandra's performance was strong, and I think pulling off a song like that takes a lot of time and effort so what she did was amazing.

The Group: JLS were mind-blowing this week, I adore their performance. One note though, if Louis is pushing for them to be a vocal harmony group, JLS have to work on their harmonies. They're there, you can hear them and they sound good, but they need to push their voices, they lack the power that Westlife had during their early days. You listen to a JLS harmony and then a Westlife harmony during the early days or as a four-piece and you hear the difference. Nevertheless, they're amazing singers and with a little more work, they might even claim Westlife's throne! haha. Has anyone else noticed that this is the second time they've talked about Westlife and JLS in the same sentence? haha..

The Over 25's: I just want to strangle Daniel and send him home. Seriously, his voice is so lounge-y(in the negative way, as always..) and one-dimensional. I can take one-dimensional voices, as long as they know how to manipulate that dimension into different sounds and structures. His voice is lounge-y enough and he still sang a song that made the performance even worse! Rachel's performance this week didn't sell for me, because I don't think her voice matched the song, but she went through, so good for her. Ruth was strong this week, I don't think she should've been in the bottom 2.

The results show performance: Mariah Carey's Hero with the final 12 'singing' at the end. No microphones, were they really singing?

The sum-up in one sentence: Almost everyone got past this week, except Daniel, he really should've went.

What I want to happen next week: DANIEL HAS TO GO! I've had enough of the unworthy safe weeks for him. JLS have to maintain, and Diana has to bounce back next week give us the best performance she's ever given.

New Music!

What's been going on these past few days? Quite a lot, actually.

• The new Christina Aguilera album is out, but the only track I'm really addicted to is Keeps Gettin' Better. Oh well.
• The new Hilary Duff album is out as well, and I'm seriously loving Holiday! It's the perfect combination of her old, teen pop sound and her new dance sound(ala-Dignity). Brilliant! Plus, the melody's just amazing, so that's an even bigger plus!
• The new Beyonce album is also out, and it includes a track called Halo. Simon Cowell wanted it for Leona Lewis, but she was too busy to record it. The song sounds very generic, any R&B artist can sing it, but I can't imagine Leona singing it. There are some parts in Beyonce's vocal that I hear hints of JoJo in it, and the song would really, really fit JoJo's voice. Maybe she can record something that sounds like Halo for her new album?
• It's Mariah week on The X Factor. I wonder how Daniel will murder another song for the fifth week in a row and not get eliminated. I'm excited to see what JLS and Rachel did, but Diana couldn't perform! I hope she gets well soon, but she did get in to next weeks show, which is good! Eep!
• WHEN will I ever get to hear the new Same Difference single in full? It's driving me nuts!
• Archuleta's album is out as well. I don't like it, but I don't hate it. Sounds like a pathetic excuse for an album. Seriously? Right now I'm confused as to who Archuleta really is as a singer. I loved him during the early stages of AI, so why didn't I hear anything like that on his album? I wonder how Cook's album turns out.
• Well, Taylor Swift's new album is out this week! I'll be continuing The Countdown to Fearless sometime today or tomorrow. I've got homework! Gar.
• There's a new Deluxe Edition of Alicia Keys' album, but I haven't had the chance to listen to the new tracks yet. Will do in the next few days..
• Strange. The Popjustice X Factor Playsheet hasn't been posted yet, and the show already aired. I wonder why.. 
• It's been out for ages already(I've seen it like a million times..), but the trailer for Westlife's new DVD(shot in front of 80 THOUSAND PEOPLE! Practically the pinnacle of their career) is amazing! Out on November 24! Eep!

• I've adored Bayje since I heard about her(can you believe I actually thought this was a JoJo song? That's what one of my favorite blogs said..), and I really, really adore this song! Have I mentioned that it's got a brilliant middle-8? Brilliant, sounds very Ne-yo - ish with a JoJo edge.

X Factor 5 Live Shows - Week 4

Here we go again! Let's get this recap rolling..

The Boys: Well, Simon and Louis are now equal, with one act each remaining. The only difference is that Eoghan sucks and JLS rock! Haha. I still think that Simon's patterning Eoghan after David A., and the similarities are obvious. Still, he could've done something different with the song choices. Austin's performance was so-so, and the song was really difficult but someone had to go(haha.)

The Girls: Diana was once again amazing. I mean, the way she handled the vocals on that song amazingly but I've got to agree with Simon, the routine was a bit cheesy, but isn't disco cheesy? Alexandra's vocals were consistent, and the song choice was OK, once again, enough to let her through to next week. Laura was brilliant tonight, and the song choice was good as well. Which is why all three girls still deserve to stay for another week!

The Group: JLS were amazing for yet another week! A bit rough at the start but they did what they had to do. They showed that they could definitely sing a song, and do it well minus all the choreography and stage design.

The Over 25's: WHY DID DANIEL JUST SAIL THROUGH TO NEXT WEEK? His vocals were too lounge singer-y, his song choice was just bad and he just sucked this week. Let me get this straight, Daniel is not very versatile, he can't successfully pull off a disco song or something a bit more on the fast side, and that just can't cut it in music. Rachel wasn't as good as last week, and everybody noticed it but I don't think she should've been in the bottom two, it should've been Daniel(again!). Ruth was OK this week, and the song really fit her voice.

The results show performance: Will Young's Grace. Good performance, but I still can't forgive him for murdering Westlife's Evergreen!

The sum-up in one sentence: JLS definitely stood out this week, but disco week is finally done and over with so we can go back and concentrate on the less cheesy elements of the music industry.

What I want to happen next week: Once again, I want Daniel to suck, so he can finally go, and my favorites to keep being amazing!

New Music...

So after even more back-to-back releases and the battle of the Girl Groups coming to a close this week, let's catch up on all the new music that's been circulating around the internet these past few days, shall we?

• Well, the version of Hero by the X Factor top 12 that they performed on the results show last Saturday was released earlier this week. It's actually not that bad, although Diana could've sung more, like in the live performance but all in all, it's a not bad version. If I was in the UK, I'd buy the single!
• Britannia High premiered last Sunday in the UK, and I'm slowly getting addicted! It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be, and I'm loving the song Lauren and Claudine sang right after the principal asked Lauren if she was gonna give up or carry on with the whole thing. Lemme guess, the title is You Just Wait(or something to that effect..). I just hope it's on the soundtrack!
• Carrie Underwood has a new Christmas EP out and I love it. I'm particularly adoring the arrangement on her version of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, but one every song, her voice is just flawless and really, really smooth. Amazing stuff!
• Taylor Swift has a new song out called You're Not Sorry. The song is strong, it's got a nice melody but the album cover is just all messed up, she looks nothing like herself and her feet look huge in the picture!
• Another David A. song is out in HQ, Angels. I haven't had the chance to listen to it yet, but I'll get to doing it sometime this week. EDIT: I've only realized now that the song is the Robbie Williams cover he did for Idol Gives Back week. Garr, and here I was thinking it was an original. OK cover, but not so hot about him recording a song he did on Idol.
• And the new Hilary Duff song, Reach Out, is also out in HQ. When I heard it in medium quality, it was so-so, but now it's kind of growing on me. It sounds a lot like a cross between Girls Aloud song back in 2003, The Saturdays' Set Me Off and something else, though. That something else it at the very tip of my tongue, but I just can't put my finger on it, garr. I've heard it before but I can't remember!
• I'm loving Amy Pearson right now. After one of my favorite blogs posted about her, I dug up her album from my collection(another one of those albums that I have but never listened to) and played it form start to finish. I love the album, she's like a cross between Stacie Orrico and Christina Aguilera, both vocally and stylistically.
• Westlife's Miss You Nights was covered by an American boyband(thanks to It's About Music) recently and it's not that bad. Still not as amazing as the original(with Shane's flawless, smooth vocals), but good enough. I just hope that if they become successful with that song, it doesn't become another FWW(Flying Without Wings, Ruben of AI 2 stole the song, then murdered it, but it was still a hit in the US..)..
• Ever since the Carrie Underwood Christmas EP came out, I've been looking around for classic Christmas songs with arrangements are gorgeous as hers but I can't seem to find any. Any suggestions?
• And finally, the new Take That video is out, I love the song but the video reminds me too much of Westlife's Fool Again! Still, the song is amazing, when can we get it in HQ? Gar.

X Factor 5 Live Shows - Week 3

So what happened this week? Who rocked, and who totally sucked? Let's find out!(No photos of the Popjustice playsheet this week, I got bored..)

The Boys: There's nothing better than hearing Simon and Louis fight over whether the Westlife version of That's Life was better or not than Scott's no so hot performance this week. I love how Simon said that he didn't pick all their hits, as if saying that he wasn't the only one responsible for their success, which he says a lot. Eoghan's song was so corny, if you ask me. I mean, an Archuleta-minion trying to sing a song that's possibly cheesier than what Girlband did last week? Disaster in the making. Austin's performance was strong, nothing special though, but enough to get him through to next week.

The Girls: These girls just don't stop, do they? Alexandra's performance was consistent, but still, I don't see anything out of this world from her. She's not as good and different as the other two girls, but she has a voice, and she uses it. Laura was, in one word, amazing. She took on a Billie Holiday song, and did it amazingly. And once again, Diana was one of my favorites, she just keeps on giving us strong performances and with that gorgeous voice of hers and the fabulous song choices, she'll go far in this competition. My only worry though is that if she wins, Simon might turn her into this stereotypical 'jazz' singer, which I don't want her to become.

The Group: JLS were strong tonight although I'd have to agree with Cheryl, those capes at the start were not only hideous, they were a nuisance. What did they have to do with the performance? But the song was good and the vocals were strong, considering they're an R&B group. They've just glided their way back next week, that's for sure.

The Over 25's: Daniel was horrible, again. I can't seem to think why anyone would want him in the competition, is it pity or something? I mean, I know the guy's wife died, but the fact that he dedicates almost every song to his wife is kind of too much. Maybe dedicate one or two songs, but every time you ask him why he chose a song we get the same reply, 'It's for my wife'. And he doesn't have a grip on his voice, he doesn't know how to use it properly. Rachel was strong this week, and she definitely deserves to come back next week. Ruth though, stole the show. Her vocals were drop-dead gorgeous, and the song fit her like a glove, just as good as Fantasia's version.

The results show performance(new!): Hero by the top twelve. It was OK, but I wish Diana got more solo parts.

The sum-up in one sentence: Nothing much happened this week, but my prediction last week came true, Daniel and one of the boys were the bottom two, but Daniel should've went.

What I want to happen next week: Daniel to suck, again, but JLS, Diana and Ruth to be amazing again.

X Factor 5 Live Show - Week 2

I was meaning to start the recaps during bootcamp, but I had tons of projects and requirements to get done, so I'm only starting it now. So what in the world did I do? I(proudly) stole a playsheet from Popjustice, watched the show on my iPod, and took pictures of my ratings on my phone(crappy camera, sorry..). Note: The MacBook shown in the pictures is not the computer I usually use. I'm lazy, so I used this, the iMac is on a desk. Wanna see? Of course you do.

(Click to actually see what I wrote)

The Boys: I think as the competition advances, Simon tries harder and harder to pattern the boys after the successful American Idol contestants. Last week Eoghan sang 'Imagine', picked by Simon. Yes, he's young like Archuleta, and yes, he's vulnerable as well, but seriously Simon, WHY TURN HIM INTO ANOTHER ARCHULETA? What really hit the home run was when Austin sang Billie Jean in the same arrangement that David C. used. Yes, someone else used the arrangement before him, but Cook made it popular again. See? See? See. Scott, on the other hand, sounded a bit Leon-ish, or like a guy in a talent show here.

The Girls: Cheryl is a good mentor! Or is it just that the girls are really good to start with? Either way, the girls were strong this week. Alexandra was so-so, not much change from last week, but still good. Laura was a step better, but my favorite of the night was Diana. Her song fit her, and she did it beautifully. Based on tonight's performances alone, I think one of the final two is in this category.

The Groups: Let's face it, whatever Louis says, he's still gearing more towards JLS. Girlband sang probably one of the cheesiest songs of the night, if not the cheesiest, and those floating globes on the display? Eeew. As much as I adore Louis for masterminding Westlife(the best boyband EVER), he did all the wrong things with his girl groups. JLS however, WERE AMAZING! OK, fangirl mode, but seriously, they can sing, they can dance, and the songs they sing go well with their voices. I can imagine next year, when Westlife release their next album and JLS(hopefully!) release their debut, A CHART BATTLE! First it was Spice Girls vs. Westlife, and next year, JLS vs. Westlife, very possible.

The over 25's: Can I just get one thing straight? DANIEL SHOULD GO! I mean, from what I see, he's trying to be another Rhydian(although Rhydian was better..), but he just can't get the personality and training that Rhydian has. Plus, the songs he sing are SO CORNY! Ruth and Rachel are light-years better in terms of vocals, but I don't see Simon's point that Ruth should sing in Spanish just because she's Spanish. Simon was well aware that Jasmine Trias(AI, Season three, didn't like her that much..) is Filipino, but he didn't tell her to sing in Filipino.

The sum-up in one sentence: Girlband went, but Daniel should've gone based on tonight's performances.

What I want to happen next week: JLS and Diana to rock again, and Daniel and any of the boys to suck, so they can go.

X Factor!

Whoot! Britain's number one talent search is on season FIVE!

OK, corny much but seriously, I can't believe there've been four winners already(some guy, Shayne Ward!!!!, Leona Lewis and Leon Jackson!!!!!) and this season's kinda promising as well. There are a few people I'm rooting for, but the episode recaps will start during the second round of boot camp.

Just thought you guys would like to know.. and to get you guys excited and maybe even hooked!