Week of Dec. 1-7
‘The X Factor’ vs. ‘The Voice’
On “The X Factor,” CeCe Frey and Diamond White got the heave-ho this week, while on “The Voice,” Amanda Brown and Melanie Martinez were sent home. Both shows are down to the final four.
Has America made the right call? Cast your vote for the top performers below and see what our experts had to say about how “The Voice” and “X Factor” contestants compared this week.
Roll over the photos below to watch the performances. Explain your vote in the comments and you could end up featured.
Chris Barton
Music Writer
Todd Martens
Music Writer
Amy Reiter
Television Writer
Your Favorites
14,834 votes
Nicholas David
Front-runner in full
"OVER THE RAINBOW"
The clear front-runner, Nicholas David looks like the Allman Brothers and sounds a little like the Neville Brothers. Putting him behind the piano with this tear-jearker seemed almost unfair, and made Blake Shelton question his identity by talking about magic.
Amanda Brown
Cat power?
"HERE I GO AGAIN"
Amanda Brown always seems to be having a blast while singing, and if we learned nothing else from the “Batman” franchise, there’s a curious power to wearing a tight leather suit. Uncomfortable hair-metal flashbacks aside, the song suited her as well.
Carly Rose Sonenclar
I, Carly Rose
"AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME"
Possibly a cyborg sent from the future, Sonenclar and her alarmingly grown-up voice flourished taking on Bieber, which is almost age-appropriate material. The two of them will eventually tour together and run for president by 2032. You've been warned.
Terry McDermott
Hobbit rock
"STAY WITH ME"
Watching McDermott’s practiced arena rock can sometimes get tedious, but there’s no denying the power of strong material. Rod Stewart’s classic fit his talents perfectly, even if McDermott's hair makes him look just a little bit like a radio favorite from Middle-Earth.
Melanie Martinez
No strings attached
"CRIMINAL"
Sure, the waifish Martinez and her two-tone hair were a bit overshadowed here by Nicholas David’s chops, but this song landed in Martinez's slightly weird wheelhouse. Frankly it was a relief to watch her sing and not feel as if she’s trapped on the Island of Misfit Toys.
Melanie Martinez
Did Adam hurt Melanie?
"CRIMINAL"
Martinez, she of two-tone hair and an airy upper-register voice, was doomed after prancing around all awkward-like to Lenka’s “The Show.” Here, she added some breathy teenage stubbornness to her repertoire, showing off a side of her coach Adam Levine never explored.
Trevin Hunte
Soul song = Standing-O
"AND I'M TELLING YOU”
Like Jermaine Paul, Hunte handles his performances with gusto. His voice reaches to the heavens, he sweats out his verses and every syllable carries the emotional weight of the world’s most torturous romance. Watch him. Then nap.
CeCe Frey
CeCe’s last gasp?
"PART OF ME”
CeCe Frey thinks she’s the next Gaga. She’s not, but that makes her fascinating. Simon Cowell called her a “tryer.” That means she has a personality.
Carly Rose Sonenclar
Carly > Bieber
“AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME”
Little Carly Rose Sonenclar is like one of those chess prodigies. Give her a tune, and she’ll checkmate it. Tonight she proved that this song, stripped of Bieber’s cluttering, trend-hopping dubstep, actually isn't half bad.
Cowell & Lovato argue over Emblem3
Simon vs. Demi
“JUST THE WAY YOU ARE”
Emblem3 are a group of musical fleas – a pesky boy band trio who have little to offer besides the charm of an old "Dennis the Menace" strip. Skip the songs. The only entertainment value is in watching Cowell duke it out with fellow judge Lovato.
Nicholas David
Taking it up and over
"OVER THE RAINBOW"
There was something transcendent about David's take on the old "Wizard of Oz" standard, which he made sound at once altogether fresh and as classic and warm as a scratchy vintage 45. Like everything David does, it was soulful, resonant and completely original.
Amanda Brown
Showing off her natural talent
"(YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE) A NATURAL WOMAN"
It makes me feel like a sad woman to see Brown head home. She repeatedly proved, as on this sultry Aretha Franklin hit, she can do anything and look great doing it. Her onstage moves are as lithe as her voice. I look forward to seeing more of both.
Terry McDermott
Staying right in his sweet spot
"STAY WITH ME"
It's hard to decide what's most appealing about McDermott: his veteran-rocker delivery, altar-boy smile, dedication to his family, the way he stands on tip-toes to reach the high notes, or his vocal clarity and control. No, it's not: His voice takes it.
Carly Rose Sonenclar
Eat your heart out, Justin Bieber
"AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME"
Every time Sonenclar walks onto the "X Factor" stage and stands before the show's squabbling judges, unappealing hosts and overstimulated audience, she serves as a corrective. She is a real talent on a show that values marketability.
Melanie Martinez
I'll miss her crazy style
"CRAZY"
Martinez's pitch was not perfect on this Gnarls Barkley song, but -- call me crazy -- I found her performance compelling. Now that she's been eliminated, I'll miss her eccentric vision, her Peter Pan collars and her cherry-lipped, gap-toothed smile. Not her hair bows, though.
Carly Rose Sonenclar
5,209 Votes
@tkeyahaleyah: "The amount of joy I get when I watch #CarlyRose sing is ridiculous. She's so good."
@mattpro13: "See guys this is what this song should sound like. Without the dubstep and the autotune..."
Trevin Hunte
2,186 Votes
@JoshuaPorter8: "If you missed Trevin Hunte's performance then you missed the second coming of Jesus."
@aguywithnolife: "moving to mars if trevin hunte doesn't win #thevoice."
Nicholas David
1,717 Votes
@EvLainz: "#thefeelin LOVE YOU NICHOLAS!!!!!!! YOU ARE THE VOICE MAN!!! NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS!!!!"
@SMMHannah: "Voting for Nicholas David on #thevoice Amazing job tonight!! #thefeelin"
Amanda Brown
1,699 Votes
@IheartsSteelers: "Ugh America y'all so stupid for sending Amanda Brown home"
@BenWillis: "Amanda Brown was absolutely the best singer on #thevoice. I really don't care to watch anymore now that she's gone."
Cassadee Pope
1,482 Votes
@loren_ashleyy: "listening to @CassadeePope's version of "over you" seriously gives me the chills #cassadeepope #sogood"
@lilleygreis: "oh my god she killed it❤ #cassadeepope"