Wrangler Dani

“Welcome back to the The Sing-Off”, says our host Nick Lachey, and I get entirely too excited. Let’s saaaaaang (as AP would say).

“Use Somebody” is the opening number and it gives me chills. THIS is what I was looking for on Monday, and I’m relieved that they finally delivered.

On the Rocks – “Live Your Life” – These guys refer to themselves as a “singing fraternity”. I wonder why that’s unique until I recall that most people didn’t go to ACU.  Anyhoodle, I still love them. They stay (mostly) on key as they jump around impressively, one dude falsettos his way to Rihanna and they are generally infectious and I really want to be friends with them. I’m from Oregon, too, so I’m sure we’d understand each other. The judges agree, although Ben asks for more art next time, which I can get behind. The Beelzebubs last year were very similar – silly and energetic – but they also managed to make us feel something besides pure joy, which OtR has yet to do.

Street Corner Symphony – “Hey Soul Sister” – Pure class. This song has been overdone and overplayed, but I still loved it. Their lead singer is amazing. He still looks like an aging hipster, but I don’t care when he’s in my iPod.

Eleventh Hour – “Just the Way You Are” – Oh, Glee. They cry about wanting to stay on the show in their interview, which means they’re going home. They are sweet and legit singers, although it gets pitchy in places, and Prom Queen girl is a little dramz.

Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town – “Mercy” – These guys are pros at their genre, and nobody can touch them. They’re so cute in their peach jackets and doing the Old Dude Shuffle. They’re hard not to like, but I feel like the elimination will be between the Geezers and Glee, just because of marketability.

Elimination – After much ado, Eleventh Hour is going home. It’s OK, babies.

Nota is back! They perform “I Gotta Feeling” and it’s great, of course. Yes, I bought their album the day it came out, why?

The Mercenaries (aka The Backbeats) – “Break Even” – I’m still mad at them for not being a real group, but they almost won me over with this song. It’s melancholy and soaring and sad and they are actually really good. I guess that’s what happens when you use paid talent. You sent Glee home, y’all. Hope you can live with that. Jerks.

Committed – “Apologize” – They’re so good it makes my heart hurt. This is a great song, and they have a new lead, who’s obviously legit, because they’re all legit. They’re also all REAL friends from a REAL little town in Alabama. *cough*Backbeats*cough* I love them. Nothing more to say. Oh wait, except that last time Shawn lost it, and this time both Ben and Shawn are blown away. VALIDATION!

Groove for Thought – “Cooler Than Me” – Their music style is not my fave. However, they are really good. Listening to the song a second time made me like it even more. They’re also nice people and a REAL GROUP of REAL FRIENDS.

The Whiffenpoofs – “Haven’t Met You Yet” – Not as fun or sassy as their last performance, but more heart-warming. On the Rocks members bounce across the stage like a bunch of frat boys on Rockstar, while the Whiffs prance around like a chorus in a Broadway show. They are cute and quirky, but maybe not as lovable as OtR. Also, even if they are stuck-up, at least they’re actually FRIENDS and exist outside of TV.

Elimination – Whiffenpoofs are headed home. Aw. MERCENARIES take out another group. Life is cruel.