Well, having them sing an encore was just needlessly cruel.

Based on the performances tonight only, I'd say Aires should be the one to go. They were a bit of a mess in both songs, even though they were high energy and entertaining.

I honestly don't get why the judges love Urban Methods so much. They've never done much for me.

PENTATONIX 4EVAH!

NOT HAPPY. I thought that Afro Blue were better musicians, stronger arrangements. I liked the Aires, don't get me wrong, but their entertainment value overshadowed their musicality.

And I couldn't resist a hearty HU! when they mentioned Howard.

So. Sad. They were terrific. Better than Urban Method, definitely.

eta: I think that Pentatonix is going to take it, but I think that Afro Blue was the second strongest group.

NOT HAPPY. I thought that Afro Blue were better musicians, stronger arrangements. I liked the Aires, don't get me wrong, but their entertainment value overshadowed their musicality.

Absolutely.

I got four calls made for Pentatonix before the line went busy.

Yeah. Totally agree. Afro Blue's two songs tonight were leagues ahead of Darthmouth Aires. Theatricality and entertainment are great, but it's a SINGING competition first and foremost. I still can't over how messy Aires' blend was in both of their songs. And that last bit about how the judging should take into account this week's performance and all the performances that came before -- I call shenanigans. They'd never done that before! (Well, fine, it's the last elimination so I guess they can write their own rules. But still.)

They wanted the all male group in the finals (notice how they kept showing the clip of Michael saying that they wanted to be the first all male collegiate group to win it). Which is fine, they could have gotten rid of Urban Method. While they keep talking about Katie stepping up, the other leads have not, and Afro Blue consistently had strong female leads, pushing their boundaries (a jazz singer rapping!).

I'm disappointed in Ben Folds. He's the one that consistently dings for actual music issues, and he said that he based his decision on the group that made him feel (or some such nonsense), not the strongest music.

I was really sad that Afro Blue went home. I thought they had their best night in the last few weeks last night. Their version of American Boy blew away the Aires redux of Bohemian Rhapsody. And the Aires lead dude just doesn't do it for me. No matter what he's singing, he always sounds like he's in a regional theater production of Jesus Christ, Superstar. I like them fine, I guess, but not over Afro Blue.

If I had my druthers, Urban Method would've gone home. I don't even remember what song they mashed up with Fever because they are just that forgettable for me. I do not get the judges' love for that group.

Pentatonix? They are the business. I just don't see how they don't win it all.

No matter what he's singing, he always sounds like he's in a regional theater production of Jesus Christ, Superstar.

Ha! That's exactly it! And he does an intense kind of sideways look at the camera that he resorts to all the time. Over it.

Yeah, Pentatonix is just so clearly the group to win. I would totally buy their album. I voted for them 5 times, I think.

Oh man, The Dogs Days are Over by Pentatonix just slayed me. Mitch is like their secret weapon.

I was ready to hand them the crown after "Let's Get It On." They've proven themselves, week after week. That's a whole lot of sound coming out of 5 people, and they've proven they can be innovative and keep growing. They don't just coast along.

Yes! I love Mitch. I always want him to get more of the spotlight than he does, but I guess it's not really a lead singer kind of voice. But so beautiful. And I love how perfectly he and Kirstie (sp?) blend.