Very strong year this time. I've chosen Pia. She looks like Sandra Bernhard but vocally reminds me a little of Siobhan, but without the slightly nasal sound.
Casey is very entertaining. Jacob was very pitchy for the first half of his song this week, but is 'possessed' (I think it's the operative word here) of a powerful and rangey voice, which, because it doesn't seem to be under mortal control, keeps me on the edge of my seat. James has been good throughout, his voice fleshed out with a little more vibrato last time, and Naima has shown great versatility across different genres, and she can dance too.
The mid pack for me are Thia, who has a sweet, plaintive voice and perfect pitch, but may become tedious after a while. Haley has an interesting voice, but her vocal style can seem a little pretentious at times, she needs to stop counting on vocalising effects and start singing. Lauren is a little like Kelly Clarkson, possibly the most bankable of would-be recording artists on offer, but chose a duffer of a song so found herself in the bottom 3.
The bottom of the pack for me are Stefano, who can hit higher notes when fully underway than I'd imagine his slightly constipated 'wrestle singing' could achieve, but while he's the only male eye candy this year (for me) he doesn't really get my ears going. Growlin' Scotty seems good at what he does, though it's not my cup of tea and his laid back style, especially when sat on a stool, makes him seem like he's 65. Karen is bland, and should have been first out IMO, but will possibly be helped along for a little longer by the hispanic vote. Paul has his fans, but to me he is a Rod Stewart impersonator flashing a bleached out Richard Clayderman smile - I just don't get the appeal.
