To be honest-I actually think Saara genuinely had enough sense to use the weekend to showcase her talent-but chose songs that would do it, without winner her the title. I've only watched the last few weeks, and a few of the acts stood out more to me than Matt.
He is very much in the mold of Shayne Ward and Matt Cardle-in that he can slip into a falsetto that impresses some folk-but while he has the range he hasn't mastered the control just yet. He seems like a nice lad-and can undoubtedly sing but unfortunately he is perhaps too young to have figured out his own personality or niche. Syco won't spend time or effort working with him to develop that-and like poor Joe McElderry, they'll probably just buy in songs-irrespective of if they suit him-and when the public don't like the change from innoffensive ballads he'll be dropped and made a laughing stock of.
Syco have two modes-cover album for mothers day-or drag out the winner with no release til next year. I actually really do feel sorry for Matt-because he seems like a nice lad-and will just let Simon be his puppetmaster due to gratitude-thinking its a brilliant opportunity, rather than a poisoned chalice.
Look at how Emily was treated in the Semi-obviously ill-and forced into singing offensively morose songs (or morose versions of good songs) every week by simon. Told to her face on Saturday that they'd vote her off if she was in bottom two. Yet she came out and gave a save me performance that was so insanely effortless and brilliant. Matt meanwhile got in a sulk, and underperformed that night. if they actually had ANY integrity about a sing off-Emily should have stayed.... and I sa tht as someone who quite liked Matt.
5am meanwhile were a typical cynical louis act... largely miming to horrendously dated backing tracks, a bit of dancing, and lots of 'vote with your hormones' cynical bleating.
I do think Saara could have easily won yesterday had she wanted to. While 'It's So Quiet' marked a turning point for her-there were other uptempo numbers she'd done that showcased her range more... and as for 'Strength'... well-it was good, but again didn't really showcase her strengths overly. I honestly do think she's realised that having the choice of labels by being runner up, means she will be in a stronger position to call the shots should she chose to sign to Syco.
She's been performing professionally long enough to know how it works. I listened to a few of her live performances-being curious after her No More Tears performance, and wondering what everyone on here was raving about. I can honestly say after seeing her live performances of Wuthering Heights (not to mention the outstanding Studio version) If she had sung that, she would have raised the roof... and even diehard Matt fans would have had to give her credit. She seemed to intentionally try not to over shadow Matt on Sunday.... but do enough to showcase her own versatility. She's in a position now of telling Simon exactly what she wants-rather than the other way around had she won.
I liked Matt a lot... but he is an X Factor Winner cliche, in that he will be so thankful for the opportunity his long term plans will be curtailed by Sycos 'smash n grab' approach-nothing is ever a long term project.
Saara 'could' have wiped the floor with him though.... I think she is sensible enough to realise the prize was more of a curse
