On Singapore Idol 3 Top 06

Tabitha Nauser – Ain’t No Other Man

Pointless. The performance was not engaging, neither it was entertaining. There is also something weird with the tempo of her delivery that it really bugged me. And at the top of it all, Tabitha did not even seem to bother to show her vocal talent and impress us. But the biggest crime of all is simply because this is a bad song choice, even though I cannot really blame her because she did not choose it. Grade: C

Sezairi Sezali – What Goes Around…/…Comes Around

He is no great vocalist, obviously. But yet again, Sezairi has proven that he knows where his strength lies in. He should go more with the urban pop, soul, and jazz style because his unique voice really compliments it. Another nice offering from Sezairi. Grade: B

Charles “Stitch” Wong – Insomnia

It was a decent performance and the beatboxing is just as fine. But why does he seem so hasty? I know that the original song itself is pretty upbeat, but Charles did not seem like he wanted the performance to be over as soon as possible. It does not help that his eyes are freaking devoid of any possibilities to convey emotions. Charles is the new Sylvia Ratonel! Grade: B-

Sylvia Ratonel – Will You Love Me Tomorrow

Not as boring as I thought it would be. Everything is just fine and the high notes are pretty well-done. The chopped phrasing is a bit too excessive, though. Grade: B-

Duane Ho – Paparazzi

The piano-driven part is a B-. The rest is a C-. Average: either C or C+, but the dancing in the end dragged it down to a C. Okay, it is not because of the dancing. But he sounded bad all the way throughout the performance after the piano part. Grade: C

Faizal Isa – Always Be My Baby

I am glad that he did not copy David Cook. He failed to belt the highest note in the climax, but he covered it pretty fast so it did not ruin the overall experience that much. This is the usual above-average-but-nothing-special performance, though. This guy has never improved and I have seen what he can do. But he does not seem to care. All he does up there is just sing and serenade the girls. Please step up your game next week! Grade: B-

Who should have been in the Bottom 2: Duane Ho and Sylvia Ratonel.
Who should have been Eliminated: Duane Ho.

Who was in the Bottom 2: Charles “Stitch” Wong, Duane Ho. I think that I have overestimated the “shared fanbase” argument against Tabitha and  Sylvia. Yes, they are interchangeable and all, but there are only a few girls left in the show that the guys are exposed to higher elimination risk. Not to mention that Mae’s votes have just gone into the two girls, so they might be safe for a while. At least I predicted Charles falling into the bottom group, though, haha.
Who was Eliminated: Duane Ho. I am glad that people are finally tired of this sassy diva. I did not predict him to leave because I thought that Duane Ho singing Lady Gaga is a combination that fans would love.

Current Personal Ranking:

01. Tabitha Nauser – one off-night is okay, but you are still at the top of the game. Recommendation: You have a good vocal, but do not attract direct comparison to the divas that are still ruling the contemporary charts. You have zero chance to outdo Beyonce or Christina. Go for some soul-inspired classics instead. Try Chaka Khan’s “Sweet Thing” or Anita Baker’s “Sweet Love”.

02. Sezairi Sezali – you are doing really well so far, keep it up! Recommendation: I have not seen you in your full potential yet. Try to make a bang and generate some buzz with some novelties, think Otis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness” or Peggy Lee’s “Fever”.

03. Faizal Isa – just because you are really consistent, but I am so going to dump you down if you fail to improve next week. Recommendation: If you want to play it safe again, look no further than Kanye West’s “Heartless” done in the style of Kris Allen. But I challenge you to go country and pull a Garth Brooks on “Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til the Sun Comes Up)”.

04. Charles “Stitch” Wong – still hoping for some more goosebumps that you are capable of, but your recent ballads have not been impressive enough.Recommendation: Blow us away with some intimate moments borrowed from Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees”. Or if you want to beatbox on an upbeat song, what about Ray Charles’ “I Believe to My Soul”?

05. Sylvia Ratonel – at least your stage presence has gotten better, but like Faizal, I have seen what you can do and it ain’t anything mind-blowing. Recommendation: if you want to emphasize your unique accent, Corrine Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On” or Ingrid Michaelson’s “The Way I Am” would be nice choices.