The Sing-Off Episode Four
Mike Chin here once again, writing after the fourth and final episode of The Sing-Off. The show opens with the remaining groups—Nota, The Beelzebubs and Voices of Lee--uniting to perform U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” It’s cheesy, but not as painfully so as the last ensemble number. Voices of Lee looks better than it has any point in the competition, clad in a black and a stylish shade of midnight blue. The ‘Bubs have chic look of their own happening in purple and black--lots of them rocking the argyle. Nota is the least aesthetically pleasing in yellow and gray. Of the groups, The ‘Bubs sound most at home on this song.
For most of the song, there’s one representative from each group up front. For The ‘Bubs and Nota, it’s the usual front men, but for Voices of Lee, it occurs to me that there isn’t one lead person I really think of to represent them. There’s the guy who got spotlighted on episode two for taking on the interim director role, and the guy who had the last couple solos. In any event, it’s a young woman representing the group for this one. For better or worse, I think the lack of one easily definable face for the group says something about Voices in this competition.
Lachey leads us off, recapping the competition structure and where we are. He reveals that tonight’s show will feature songs of hope and inspiration to get us into the holiday spirit.
Group #1: Voices of Lee
As I wipe the vomit from the corners of my mouth, we get clips of Voices of Lee volunteering with some kids for the day. It actually is fairly touching, and though it’s a bit cliché, I like that that the show’s contestants each spent some time in the community as a way of culminating the show experience. In any event, Voices of Lee takes the stage live for a rendition of “Stand By Me.” Nice bass sound. Good solo, though I’d argue the backing solo that comes in for a bit in the second verse is actually stronger. The blend is good, as per usual. There’s a point at which the group slowly, unsteadily maneuvers across the stage toward the first soloist, and I can’t help having images of zombies stalking their prey. That’s not where they’re headed with this, of course. Harmless, if in non-sensational a cappella all around, as we’ve come to expect from this crew.
We get a shot of Jack Black in the crowd.
Nick implores the judges to talk for a moment about why Voices of Lee earned its spot in the finals. Ben says this last performance is representative of what they’ve done on the show, and that it was amazing. He says, early, on, he didn’t really get the group, but, over the course of the show, he found them to be a harmonically and musically advanced group. He praises “Man in the Mirror” from episode three, calling it a dignified performance. Shawn calls Voices of Lee the breakthrough group of the competition, and lauds their depth. Nicole says that, from day one, the group captured the audience with its power and sweet harmonies, and says they have big hearts.
Group #2: The Beelzebubs
Up next, we get footage of The Beelzebubs performing for some senior citizens, and we see the old folks joining the young men in singing and dancing for “Sweet Caroline” in a cute moment. Cutting back to the live stage The ‘Bubs take on “Where Is the Love” by The Black-Eyed Peas. Lots more white boy rapping with a very nice sound in the background. Ton of charisma and energy as always for a crowd pleasing performance.
Nicole says The ‘Bubs did the song justice and praises them for taking risks and not taking themselves too seriously. She gets in one more neo-‘Bub-ism in calling the group “‘Bubtastic.” Not her best work, and for Nicole, that’s kind of saying something. Ben says that The Beelzebubs are ‘what everyone prays college boys are like,’ and praises them for backing it up musically. He gives them perhaps the biggest compliment they’ve received all show in saying that they singlehandedly explained America’s growing excitement about collegiate a cappella every time they opened their mouths. Shawn suggests the history of the group prepared them for this moment on the show, and says they’re fun, goofy, and sound amazing.
Group #3: Nota
We see Nota help out at a soup kitchen, introducing themselves as they serve up food, then singing with their aprons still on. Back to live performance, the guys perform “Lean on Me.” The guy with the second solo from the Jackson 5 medley leads this one off before the usual soloist takes over as they switch tempos. Sweet percussion breakdown, nice harmonies, and this one’s a lot of fun to watch, though I could really do without the air brass section.
The camera spies Peter Gallagher in the audience.
Shawn says Nota has a flavor unlike anyone else we’ve seen in this competition, particularly praising the way they blend traditional harmonies with Latin flavor. Nicole says they showcased what the voice is capable of and made us all want to dance (as Ben and Shawn dance awkwardly on either side of her). Ben says they’re a really good band, period, and bring something cultural to the competition. He says they also bring something cultural to the show and walks the line on being a little racist in saying people from down in their parts sing all the time. He catches how he might be coming off and calls on them to agree with him, to exonerate himself a bit, before rounding things out by thanking the guys for being generous with their music.
Group #1: Voices of Lee
Next up is a portion of the show for which a famous voice joins each competing group. Natasha Bedingfiled starts us off, singing her own solo on “Pocketful of Sunshine” with Voices of Lee. I think the star solo is a really nice idea, but I worry the inclusion of the original artist on this kind of song really limited what the group could do with it, as they all just kind of stood around and snapped their fingers, singing behind her. The camera hardly left Bedingfield, which sort of makes sense but was also sort of a disservice to the group. I get that she’s the star, but let’s not forget what this show is about.
Group #2: The Beelzebubs
Neil Diamond must have been unavailable, because The ‘Bubs get stuck performing with, of all people, Nicole. This reminds me a lot of a Christmas scene from the film adaptation of About A Boy. The child gets a bunch of random, lousy presents, but smiles all the way through it and Hugh Grant’s voice-over comments, ‘I had to hand it to the kid—he could act excited about some truly crappy gifts.’ To their credit, the guys are all smiles when Nicole enters their rehearsal room—and who knows, maybe they really were cool with it. I just have to imagine one of The ‘Bubs sneaking off to submit a post about this Fmylife.com, though: “I’m in this national singing competition, and the other finalists get to perform with Natasha Bedingfield and Smokey F’N Robinson. Who does my group get? The Pussycat Doll who acts like a less intelligent Paula Abdul on our judging panel. FML.”
OK, OK, I’m probably being too harsh.
Nicole and the guys perform “You Don’t Own Me.” The guys pour their hearts into it as usual and, quite contrary to Voices of Lee, this one is all about dramatic visual representation. Good stuff from the guys as they maneuver around their weakest soloist of the show, and break into some doo-wop style, complete with cheesy movements toward the end. Harmless enough, all considered.
Group #3: Nota
Sorry for already spoiling this, but it is, indeed, Smokey Robinson who teams up with Nota for “Tracks of My Tears.” Again, more focus on the celebrity soloist than the group, but Smokey and the song lend themselves better to this set up than was the case for any of the other performances of this kind. Sweet sound all around for an enjoyable close to the round.
It’s time for another all-group sing-along, with everyone PLUS Nick Lachey for “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” Everyone is seated this time, and leans from side to side to make it as cheesy as possible. I get that you can’t have everyone learn choreography to an infinite number of songs, but how about at least having them stand and do the same thing, so as to mitigate the whole Kumbaya effect? This is one of my favorite Christmas songs, but I like it as a rock song—ideally, as performed by U2. The version we get here is was just way too pop for me for this song. And, ah geez, they made it snow on them. No comment.
Next up is the must anticipated Boyz II Men reunion, as the guys perform a medley of—well, Boyz II Men songs. Very nice harmonies, but, all in all, it’s a bit more downbeat than I would have expected. They tie things up with “End of the Road,” which I had been thinking all along would have made for an ideal swan song for somebody on this show. Anyway, they get the crowd to sing along toward the end, and The SoCals are particularly animated in obliging.
Bobby McFerrin leads the remaining groups in an improv session. I have to say this guy is still impressive, playing vocal bass to back his own solo. The rest of the groups bob awkwardly behind him at first, but, before long get involved for a fun little exhibition.
It’s elimination time. The ‘Bubs are in the top two. So is Nota, which means Voices of Lee is headed home. They channel the fallen SoCals for a musical theatre heavy rendition of “So Long, Farewell.” Good enough sound, but the visuals are corny enough to erase any hesitation I might otherwise feel about this group getting the boot.
Nick announces that, up next, Ben Folds with perform with Nota and The ‘Bubs. Might those extra rehearsals with just the two groups and Ben have been an early hint at who was getting eliminated tonight? I’m just saying…
The ‘Bubs and Nota perform “Why Can’t We Be Friends” with Ben in the middle playing piano. This is a lot of fun, but musically all over the place, to the point where I wonder if they actually did rehearse this. Ben stoops over the piano. I’ve seen him play like this before, but I feel like he should at least have a stool available. Ben climbs up on the piano eventually, and takes over the solo from there. It’s over the top enough that if it was anyone but Folds, I might call bullshit. But, well, Ben folds is probably among the five coolest men alive at the present moment, and pretty much can’t do any wrong. Against all odds, he more or less makes it work. Hugs all around as the song ends.
We get a highlight video for each of the groups, the most memorable point of which is a ‘Bub joking about Nick Lachey’s hotness.
Nick calls on the judges for closing comments. Shawn is crying, remembering the excitement of when Boyz II Men first broke through, and seeing Nota recreate that feeling for themselves. Ben says The ‘Bubs should keep doing what they’re doing, and go in to the studio as The Beelzebubs and not come out as Beelzetron, which I’m pretty sure was a commentary on avoiding over-production. In an odd moment, Nicole seems set on stealing whatever Shawn was going to say, so she cries too, and tells both groups to enjoy the experience and to have a good holiday. In the best acting performance of the show, Nick keeps a straight face in thanking the judges for their expert advice. I’m actually a little touched by Shawn’s genuine emotion, and enjoy Ben’s wordplay, but, come on, these hardly qualify as insights, let alone expert ones.
On to the big announcement of who won. There’s a mix of bowed heads and guys staring straight ahead all around. Nota wins, streamers fall. These are the two groups it should have come to, and it should have been very close. As I wrote in my endorsement, I do think Nota made the most sense to win the competition, but still have to credit The ‘Bubs for doing exactly what Ben Folds said they did—making the case for collegiate a cappella to the nation.
Nota thanks the voters and says this will change their lives.
The ‘Bubs get their swan song. They seem genuinely emotional and fake a tear or two before exploding into “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” by The Animals--nice way to stay true to the group and leave with a good, charged performance.
Nota reprises “Down” by Jay Sean. I wonder what their swan song would have been, and sort of feel like they should have performed it. Ah well, this is probably better anyway, and makes for a good celebration song. Jay Sean comes out on stage and the soloist seems legitimately shocked to see him there. To his credit, Jay encourages the Nota soloist to keep up the duet, even when the soloist tries to abdicate the floor. Good showing of mutual respect there. Nota moves into their trademark Latin breakdown as the live feed cuts off.
All in all, a fully serviceable, if not spectacular close to the competition. Here’s hoping we get to see more a cappella on the national stage before too long. In the meantime, keep an eye out for one more article about the show here at The A Cappella Blog to summarize what we can take away from this show, and what should change if do see another incarnation of it in the future. Until then, thanks for reading and good night.