The X Factor USA - Live Show 3 - Rock Week

TEAM NICOLE SCHERZINGER
1. Leroy Bell - We've Got Tonight (Bob Seger)
A pretty near-perfect vocal. I still hear Michael Bolton, but at least Leroy has better hair. It is true that he lacks a bit of an oomph when it comes to stage presence (or, if you will, The X Factor), but he hasn't outstayed his welcome yet.

TEAM SIMON COWELL
2. Rachel Crow - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)
It's rock week, right? So why take a rock song and turn it into a hand-clappy Motown-esque affair? Rachel has the voice to potentially get into the meat of a rock song, so this was disappointing. A huge step down from last week.

TEAM L.A. REID
3. Chris Rene - No Woman, No Cry (Bob Marley & The Wailers)
A fusion of reggae and hip-hop does not a rock song make, but L.A. put up a decent argument. I'll give Chris his dues, though, his singing voice frequently surprises me (in a good way) and it did again tonight.

TEAM NICOLE
4. Stacy Francis - It's All Coming Back To Me Now (Meat Loaf)
Despite being a Jim Steinman song that was eventually recorded by Meat Loaf, this is, let's face it, a Celine Dion song. And the comparisons were not kind to Stacy. But to deny she did a decent job on her own merits would be churlish.

TEAM SIMON
5. Melanie Amaro - Everybody Hurts (R.E.M.)
The ballad queen does it again, putting a soulful gospel twist on a rock ballad. It was surprisingly lifeless for Melanie, but girl got pipes.

TEAM NICOLE
6. Josh Krajick - The Pretender (Foo Fighters)
This should be his week. And, he certainly rocked out. I actually prefer his more soulful side, although I do love this song.

TEAM L.A.
7. Astro - I'll Be Missing You (Puff Daddy)
I'm assuming the interpolation of The Police's "Every Breath You Take" is what makes this rock. He raps better than Puff Daddy, I'll give him that. "I miss you, Hip Hop"??? WTF? That's like saying "I miss you, snow" in Antartica.

TEAM PAULA ABDUL
8. Lakoda Rayne - Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac)
The girls have great individual voices, and they've called a fair cop as the backing vocalists have been brought on-stage to help out with the harmonies. It didn't really help, but it was enjoyably competent. They are usually better than this.

TEAM SIMON
9. Drew - With or Without You (U2)
More of the same from Drew, but this suited her voice amazingly well. I'm not a fan, but she was great this week.

TEAM L.A.
10. Marcus Canty - Piece of My Heart (Janis Joplin)
Re: his church choir, "I'm kind of like their role model"...? Even if it's true, it's a little arrogant to say, no? This featured some truly bizarre choreography (did someone say check for oil?) His vocals were adequate, but I can't say he rocked it.

RESULTS SHOW
Top 10 - We Will Rock You
I always assumed these bits were lip-synched, but Leroy's "oops I missed my line" fuck-up proved this to be untrue. Interesting...

Bottom two:
TEAM NICOLE
Stacy Francis - Amazing Grace
Whatever. I almost want her out for choosing that song. Fortunately for her, she's up against...

TEAM L.A.
Astro - Never Can Say Goodbye (The Jackson 5)
The arrogant little turd thought he'd done enough to not have to perform, but did anyway. Oh, joy to my eardrums. Mostly "uh uh"s, though he did throw in a nice rap about the judges. Hopefully it's cost him his place.

L.A. almost sends Astro, his own act, home for acting like a quitter, but sends home Stacy.
Nicole sends home Astro. He looks MASSIVELY pissed off.
Paula, shockingly, sends home Stacy.
Simon castigates Astro, then sends home Stacy. Ridiculous.