The British Invasion is universally understood to mean the crush of UK bands that overturned the music industry led by the Beatles nearly a half century ago.
In the limited and thoroughly self-serving view of “The X Factor,” it represents any recording artist from England, but particularly the one group that was created on the UK version of the show that happens to be big among teenyboppers today.
It’s no coincidence that One Direction also happens to be a special guest on this week’s “X Factor” results show Thursday. And while it is nowhere near as widespread or influential a group, One Direction was represented in as many song choices this week as the Beatles — one each.
Although there were tantalizing snippets from The Who and The Clash as Mario Lopez came back from commercial breaks, their songs weren’t part of the Top 10 performances.
And amid a show where songs made popular by Coldplay, Eurythmics, Kate Bush and Ellie Goulding, the king of the British Invasion, according to X Factor, is apparently Elton John, who was represented twice.
It was another schizoid performance show, with strange, slowed down versions of songs augmented by fussy, over the top production always followed by extravagant praise from the judges even when it wasn’t warranted.
Jeff Gutt started by taking on “Bohemian Rhapsody,” in such a severely truncated version of the Queen anthem it seemed to joltingly skip from section to section. Judges thought it was his best performance to date, however.
Tim Olstad started his version of Elton John’s “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word” at the piano and ended up on his feet. Judges, oddly, thought it was “sexy.”
Khaya Cohen, who fought her way from the bottom two last week, slowed down the already slow “Let It Be” and didn’t do much for the one Beatles song of the night. Judges liked it anyway.
Josh Levi does some really weird arrangements and his “Sweet Dreams are Made of This” was strange as well — too slow and then plodding electronically. Judges still loved it, though Simon Cowell thought the production was a little crazy.
It was more than self serving that Cowell made Alex and Sierra sing “Best Song Ever” by One Direction. It was their most forgettable performance to date, so oddly staged from atop a fake stone bridge. Cowell may have started the singing competition craze here by speaking with brutal honestly on “American Idol,” nothing he says on “X Factor “can be taken too seriously as he works only to make sure someone from his team wins.
Rion Paige dedicated Elton’s “Your Song” to her little brother, which was a little odd; the arrangement was completely wrongheaded and tended to circumvent the melody.
Carlito Olivero is used to stumbling and this week’s version of the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” was yet another.
Lillie McCloud hadn’t ever heard Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” that Kelly Rowland gave her, but she contrasted from her earlier performance by standing and delivering it with a soulful touch. Simon said he thought she’s arrived but ended the show by saying she was one who was in trouble.
Hardworking Ellona Santiago scarcely falters, but her version of Ellie Goulding’s “Burn” practically self-immolated. Judges didn’t really notice, they praised her effusively, though Simon said he didn’t know what kind of artist she was and gave her a description that is tough to shake: “a dancing, singing puppet.”
The performance order seemed calculated to have Cowell’s Restless Road, the hand-picked, country-tinged boy band, emerge as the One Direction to come out of season three.
But their version of Coldplay’s “Fix You” was full of disjointed harmonies and one hilarious moment — Zach Beeken singing a line in exaggerated bass as if it was a novelty song.
What happened to the idea of an end of show replay to remind us what everyone sang? It would be a boon to recappers and voters alike and with these performance shows are so long at two hours, we need the reminder.
Instead, there was only time for Simon alone to reel off who he thought was in trouble, though he was full of nothing but praise for them after their performances: Tim Olstad, Carlito Olivero, Lillie McCloud “and definitely Ellona.”
I’d agree on Ellona, but it is a double elimination this week so somebody will be surprised. And what else is happening on the show? Oh yeah, One Direction. Ho hum.