[I picked this picture because, although it did not make the "official" group of images from the performance night, it speaks volumes about the dancing and Mia Michaels]
I had to fast forward through Toni Basil’s “speech” in the beginning. Going from Lil’ C to Toni is like going from English to Mandarin Chinese with no subtitles. Makes little to no sense. ADAM SHANKMAN FOR 3RD PERMANENT JUDGE!!! I know that Shankman gets a bad wrap for sometimes being too nice, but I like that he supports the dancers but can still give them constructive (coherent) criticism.
Onto the music recaps for the Top 16 Performance and Results shows…
Karla & Jonathan’s Hip-Hop routine choreographed by Dave Scott
What a disappointment with Karla’s background with the Boogie Bots. The first problem, I think, was with the song choice. It’s kind of an in between song. Not hard-hitting and not smooth enough for lyrical hip-hop. That translated into the movement. There wasn’t much going on there, Dave Scott. Better work next time.
Song: By My Side
Artist/Band: Jadakiss feat. Ne-Yo
Where you’ve heard the song before: Apparently it got good airplay but I don’t listen to the radio so that might explain my non-exposure to this song.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Asuka & Vitolio’s Jazz routine choreographed by Mandy Moore
Thrash Rocker Jazz. Asuka was bound to break down. A la Cousin Heidi and the Bench routine. The dance started out slow. It seemed even slower with Pat Benatar playing. I don’t know. I didn’t think it was hard enough. Maybe I’m used to more steps? I just don’t know.
Song: Heartbreaker
Artist/Band: Pat Benatar
Where you’ve heard the song before: Cheyenne Kimball of an MTV series fame sand this song with Benatar in a Candie’s ad. It was performed on Charmed by Pat Benatar and a parody was done on My Name Is Earl. Idina Menzel, of RENT, Enchanted, and a short arc on Private Practice, sang this song on her “I Stand” tour. It’s a song available to play on Rock Band and Guitar Hero: World Tour.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Melissa & Ade’s Rumba choreographed by Tony Meredith
Who doesn’t love some Destiny’s Child once in awhile? As far as rumbas go, this definitely wasn’t one of my favorites. I think they danced it well and even got into the emotion, but I just didn’t get it. It looked a little rough around the edges.
Song: Emotion
Artist/Band: Destiny’s Child
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was originally sung by Samantha Sung in 1977 and then later recorded by the Bee Gees. It was off of Destiny’s Child’s album Survivor.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Janette & Brandon’s Hip-Hop routine choreographed by Dave Scott
As much as I hated Dave’s first routine, I actually kinda liked this one. Maybe loved it. I didn’t love all of Brandon’s stops, but I did love that both of them went for it and pulled it out 90% of the time.
Song: What a World
Artist/Band: Common
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s off of his newest album Universal Mind Control.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Kayla & Kupono’s Viennese Waltz choreographed by Jean-Marc Generaux
Fancy lights! Pulling out all the stops SYTYCD. I liked it. It kept my attention and I like that he used a song off of Jewel’s new album, Lullaby. It’s actually called Sweet Dreams on iTunes, if you’re searching for it. Kayla was amazing. I’m glad we got to see her do a waltz. Pono did better than I expected as well.
Song: Sweet Dreams for You
Artist/Band: Jewel
Where you’ve heard the song before: As I said above, it’s from her newest album Lullaby. If you liked the song, give the rest of the album a listen.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Randi & Evan’s Contemporary routine choreographed by Mia Michaels
I kinda wanted wardrobe to put a unitard on Randi. You had to look really close at this dance to see that it was a Mia Michael’s original. At first glance it could have been a Mandy Moore or a Tyce Diorio. Strange song choice, but it all worked together.
Song: Koop Island Blues
Artist/Band: Koop feat. Ane Brun
Where you’ve heard the song before: I’ve never heard it before. It’s off of their album Koop Islands.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Caitlin & Jason’s Paso Doble choreographed by Jean Marc and France Generaux
Brandon’s audition song. They went through the steps but it definitely wasn’t good. The song is huge, HUGE. There are very few dancers that can stand up to that music. Caitlin and Jason were not two of them.
Song: O Fortuna (from Carmina Burana)
Artist/Band: Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg & Kurt Prestel
Where you’ve heard the song before: This song has been all over. I can’t list it all. Go over to Wikipedia to ch-ch-check it out.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Jeanine & Phillips’ Broadway routine choreographed by Tyce Diorio
I wonder if Tyce got any of his inspiration from this dance. It was nice to see Arielle in the audience. One of the few Broadway routines that I enjoyed. I loved the song and the concept.
Song: Moses Supposes
Artist/Band: Singing in the Rain
Where you’ve heard the song before: I imagine most SYTYCD fans and dance fans in general have seen this movie. If you haven’t, watch this YouTube clip of Moses Supposes from the movie.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Top 16 Group Opening Routine choreographed by NappyTabs & Dmitry
One of my Top 3 Group routines ever. I loved the combination of hip-hop and whatever it was that Dmitry threw in. That whole routine goes on the Hot Tamale Train for me.
Song: I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
Artist/Band: Pitbull
Where you’ve heard the song before: Some of the SYTYCD Season IV Real dancers did a dance to this song on Ellen. It’s also getting lots of airplay these days. On my iPod. In the gym.
Buy the single on iTunes:
The Rage Boys Crew Performance
I think that this dance should have been limited to those dancers under 4 feet tall (like Evan and Randi). Too adorable. But Cat Deeley takes the “Cute” award of the night.
Song: Feel It
Artist/Band: Colby O’Donis and Mauli-B
Where you’ve heard the song before: I couldn't find this song anywhere in mp3 format. Sorry!
I didn’t get a chance to re-watch the solos so no commentary this time around.
Asuka’s Solo
Song: Don’t Trust Me
Artist/Band: 3OH!3
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from their album Want.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Vitolio’s Solo
Song: Viva La Vida
Artist/Band: Coldplay
Where you’ve heard the song before: It was featured on the showMedium and the re-boot of 90210. If you don’t have this album already, go out and buy it. It’s worth it!
Buy the single on iTunes:
Karla’s Solo
Song: 15 Step
Artist/Band: Radiohead
Where you’ve heard the song before: It’s from their album In Rainbows. Apparently the song used a group of kids from the Matrix Music School & Arts Centre in Oxford.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Jonathan’s Solo
Song: The Hunted
Artist/Band: Kodo
Where you’ve heard the song before: High praises for the SYTYCD music people and their wide variety of music this year. Kodo is a drumming troupe from Japan. I imagine this song is from the movie The Hunted.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Caitlin’s Solo
Song: Que Sera Sera
Artist/Band: Jennifer Terran
Where you’ve heard the song before: This song has a loooong history. Read it over at Wikipedia because I can’t process all of that information right now.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Jason’s Solo
Song: New American Classic
Artist/Band: Taking Back Sunday
Where you’ve heard the song before: Taking Back Sunday needed to make an appearance on SYTYCD. It’s only right. Great choice. Go buy this album as well. Where You Want To Be.
Buy the single on iTunes:
The Veronicas’ (+ Lindsey of the Beat Freaks) Performance
Finally! A half-decent song and kickass dancers. Now let’s keep this up SYTYCD.
Song: Take Me On the Floor
Where you’ve heard the song before: This song was used for promos for the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars. And I’m sure it’s stuck in your head by now. Catchy tune.
Buy the single on iTunes:
Asuka’s Goodbye Montage
Song: Already Gone
Artist/Band: Kelly Clarkson
Where you’ve heard the song before: The last 2 weeks plus the next 5 weeks. Or maybe they’ll change the song when we get to the Top 10. SYTYCD keeps me guessing!
Buy the single on iTunes:
Jonathan’s Goodbye Montage
Song: On Your Own
Artist/Band: Green River Ordinance
Buy the single on iTunes:
1 comment:
In full 100% agreement with everything in your opening paragraph! And get this - I was at the taping on Tuesday and they only aired about 20% of the things Toni said! Cracks me up that she makes me feel like I understand Li'l C. She can turn any topic into something that has to do with street. Thanks for the songs!
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