Natalie's SYTYCD Top 6 Music Recap

Well hello there! Natalie from the recently-deceased BSYTYCD here. Leee has been kind enough to offer me the opportunity to do my music recaps over here for the rest of the SYTYCD season. I'm not as witty or clever as your regularly-scheduled blogger, so bear with me. Onto the music, and my interjections fueled by my limited knowledge of dance:

Top 6 Performance Show

Courtney and Mark’s Viennese Waltz choreographed by Jason Gilkinson

I actually liked Mark in this. Maybe loved. Plus listening to David Cook was better than listening to the other David during the pas de deux. I liked this more than I thought that I would. On a side note, I spotted Paula when they showed Jason Gilkinson in the audience. And may have yelled at my TV. I recognized her clap first.

Song title: The Time of My Life
Artist/Band: David Cook
Where you’ve heard the song before: You know David Cook, obviously. Since Nigel somehow pimped American Idol on last night’s show 10 times.
Where you can listen to the whole song:



More reasons why better artists should let Fox use their music after the jump...


Chelsie’s Solo

Just when I thought my SYTYCD world was rid of the evil PCD. Here they are. Back to haunt me. Chelsie is finding it harder and harder every week to really show her style and change it up. It was okay. Nothing earth shattering. Unless you’re a pre-pubescent boy.

Song title: When I Grow Up
Artist/Band: The Pussycat Dolls
Where you’ve heard the song before: When the lovely ladies performed it on the SYTYCD stage earlier in the season.
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Twitch’s Solo

The beginning was a little reminiscent of Will's James Brown solo last week. But the second half was brilliant as usual. And can I just say, again, that it is a tragedy that Miss Cat Deeley did not receive a nomination. I'd rather watch her for 3 hours than Howie Mandel for 3 minutes.

Song title: Midas Touch
Artist/Band: Midnight Star
Where you’ve heard the song before: It came out in ’86. I’d guess you were either in diapers, or not born yet when this song was getting airplay.
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Katee and Joshua’s Contemporary routine choreographed by Tyce

Celine Dion is making bank this year on SYTYCD. When Katee leapt, right into Joshua’s arms, my mom said “Whoa”. Too true. This was surprisingly good for a Tyce contemporary piece. If you hadn't told me I may have thought it was a Mia piece. I know. Weird.

Song title: All By Myself
Artist/Band: Celine Dion
Where you’ve heard the song before: SYTYCD fans must have Celine Dion ringing in their ears and showing up in their dreams. Not a bad deal for her. Horrible deal for the audience. It was originally done by Eric Carmen. Per Wikipedia, the melody borrows parts of the Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor.
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Chelsie and Twitch’s Mambo choreographed by Tony Meredith and Melanie

Eh. I wasn’t crazy about it. The music was fast. A bit of cymbals. Twitch couldn't keep Chelsie's center when she was doing the turns at the very end. He tried to keep up but I think Twitch may be in trouble.

Song title: Ahora Me Toca A Mi
Artist/Band: Victor Manuelle
Where you’ve heard the song before: Couldn’t find much about this song. Unless you’re into the Latin circuit of music, you may have never heard of Victor Manuelle. Where you can listen to the whole song:



Katee’s Solo

As much as I wasn’t crazy about her solo last week, I liked this week’s. I wish they used Maroon 5 more often.

Song title: Can’t Stop
Artist/Band: Maroon 5
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s on their newest album “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long”.
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Joshua’s Solo

This was a little different than some of his other solos. Lots of moving around. The music gave him good energy.

Song title: Like That
Artist/Band: Memphis Bleek
Where you’ve heard the song before: On the radio circa Summer of 2005. Where you can listen to the whole song:



Courtney and Mark’s Jazz routine choreographed by Sonya

The perfect marriage of weird: Mark and Sonya. The music gave Mark and Courtney a bit of a starting point. And they grew from there. It was really nice to see Courtney move in a different way. Neither of these two are the best dancers, but neither of them have let that affect their passion when they dance.

Song title: The Garden
Artist/Band: Mirah
Where you’ve heard the song before: All I could find is that she’s from Philadelphia. For the rest, I will defer to the infinite wisdom of our very own Leee: “File Mirah under indie pop. Think of Ani Di Franco, but with less of a groove and more pretty acoustic melodies. You know, personal and sensitive singer-songwriter lyrics, strum strum strum, which is definitely her bread and butter (songs that are more representative of her oeuvre -- and also highly recommended -- include "Sweepstakes Prize," "Jerusalem," "Don't Die In Me," "Mt. St. Helens," "Monument," "Light a Match"). So since it's a slower electro number with a big beat, "The Garden" (appears on Advisory Committee) is kind of atypical of Mirah, though she's always stylistically adventurous; "The Knife Thrower" is equally off-kilter, and she has the bombast to pull off an epic spaghetti-western pop symphony ("Cold Cold Water"), or a joyously jazzy number ("Words Cannot Describe"), or even a gorgeous Phil Specterish '60s girl group/Motown song ("Don't").
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Katee and Joshua's Paso Doble choreographed by Jason Gilkinson

I loved the beginning. How it grew stronger and stronger. This song could have easily overpowered two dancers. It's a strong song. And the lights weren't helping. Somehow, they really kept up with it. Even if they weren't comfortable with the steps, they played it off well.

Song title: Filet
Artist/Band: Le Reve
Where you’ve heard the song before: Probably no where?
Where you can listen to the whole song:

Somewhere over the rainbow. Couldn't find this one in mp3 format.

Courtney's Solo

Her solos are always more controlled on performance nights. Even though I loved, loved, loved Sabra's solo to this song last year, I may have loved this solo from Courtney even more. I know. What's wrong with me tonight?

Song title: Rock Your Soul
Artist/Band: Elisa
Where you’ve heard the song before: Miss Sabra Johnson danced her Top 6 solo to this song.
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Mark's Solo

I'm so glad that the backlash hasn't gotten to Mark's spirit. It was wonderful to watch tonight. Quirky and maybe a bit cocky. All around fun. Plus it's good to hear Robyn on the show again.

Song title: Burn Like You
Artist/Band: Robyn
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s on her album Robyn.
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Courtney and Twitch's Hip Hop routine choreographed by Napoleon and Tabitha

I loved this song. The strings in it were wonderful. I never knew Chelsie would be able to pull something a bit harder off. As far as Hip Hop goes. This dance may have saved these two. (I wrote this on Wednesday night as I watched. I was obviously half wrong).

Song title: Control
Artist/Band: The Vitamin String Quartet
Where you’ve heard the song before: I didn’t know much about them until I went to their website and read up on them. ”Vitamin Records was formed in Los Angeles in 1999 to provide music lovers with high quality string quartet, lounge and electronic tributes to major pop and rock artists. Vitamin's mission is to offer fans exciting versions of their favorite songs performed in new musical contexts.” This song was a tribute to Janet Jackson’s Control. Check out the rest of their stuff. You might like it.
Where you can listen to the whole song:




Top 6 Results Show

Mandy Moore's Top 6 Group Routine

Well hello there Mandy Moore. I kinda liked this. Even though Bette Midler is not my favorite, I enjoyed this thoroughly.

Song title: The Rose
Artist/Band: Bette Midler
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was in the film The Rose starring Bette Midler and has been covered many times, including on LeAnn Rimes and Bianca Ryans' albums.
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Courtney's Solo

She's definitely grown during the season. Her solo tonight wasn't as good as last night's. The nerves always seem to get to her on elimination nights. I mean, who can blame her. I feel like Courtney goes to Fox's music lady.

Song title: Almost Lover
Artist/Band: A Fine Frenzy
Where you’ve heard the song before: She is very TV-friendly. This song in particular appeared on now-cancelled Big Shots, celebrity-magnet CSI: NY, and The Hills.
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Mark's Solo

I like quirky, but this was a little too much for me.

Song title: Wind It Up (Original Neptunes Remix)
Artist/Band: Gwen Stefani
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Katee's Solo

She takes the most elementary step, a tour jete, and makes it look amazing. I am beyond in love with her movement. Flawless. It's clean and innovative. I also really liked the song paired with her choreo.

Song title: Beautiful Disaster
Artist/Band: Jon McLaughlin
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Joshua's Solo

More of the same from him.

Song title: I Can Make You Dance
Artist/Band: Zapp
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Chelsie's Solo

She integrated a few different elements into her solo tonight. I still wasn't crazy about it though.

Song title: The Girl's Gone Wild
Artist/Band: Travis Tritt
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Twitch's Solo

Weird song choice. It didn't allow him to hit things as hard as he usually does.

Song title: Don't Worry, Be Happy
Artist/Band: Bobby McFerrin
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Lil Demon's Performance

Let me just say I'm a sucker for little kids, so this kid had me hooked as soon as he ran on stage. I mean, I do watch Jon & Kate Plus 8 religiously. There is one thing that SYTYCD has done right this season. Bringing great performers to the stage each results show. Then Cat does the cutest thing ever. And makes the whole world smile.

Song title: Planet Rock
Artist/Band: Afrika Bambaataa
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Lady GaGa's Performance

Well we finally see the voice behind the song that SYTYCD used for a montage earlier in the season. And what a face it was.

Song title: Just Dance
Artist/Band: Lady GaGa
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Chelsie's Goodbye Montage Song

Chelsie got shafted. You're giving her a OneRepublic song? Really? One that you've used 3 or 4 times already?

Song title: Come Home
Artist/Band: OneRepublic
Where you can listen to the whole song:



Mark's Goodbye Montage Song

It's almost fitting that Marksie went out together. Mark kinda knew this was coming. Not too much info on this Brendan James character. He's a fairly new artist. Which is nice to see. This is the direction Fox should have taken all season. Recruit up-and-comers and pay them for their music.

Song title: All I Can See
Artist/Band: Brendan James
Where you can listen to the whole song: