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.

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

yep. and there's just something about the way that he carries himself that makes me think he's an asshole.

Normally, I'm not a huge fan of Urban Method, but I thought they had the best night last night and deserved that top slot for the week. Their mashup was definitely the best of the four (Afro Blue's was good, but forgettable, the Aires suffered from tempo consistency, and Pentatonix's was clever, but not fantastic), and even though their judges' choice was not my style at all, I did like it.

The judges' choice numbers were where all the groups shone. Afro Blue just totally delivered on "A Change is Gonna Come," and the Aires brought on the fun with "Shout," although I'm sure the judges were right about their pitch problems (I missed them, myself). But Pentatonix totally brought it with "Dog Days Are Over"! I'm not familiar with the song at all, so the beginning of it, I thought, "Oh, this is good," but it wasn't sucking me in. And then Mitch got his spotlight, and I thought the rest of the song was brilliant. They were so smart to give him a total solo with no backup, because he was amazing.

I thought that the bottom two this week would be the Aires and Pentatonix, just because the judges were plotzing over both of Afro Blue's performances, so I was surprised when they said that Pentatonix was safe. But as soon as they said they were basing their decision on the entire season to decide between the bottom two, I knew that Afro Blue was gone. If it was just that performance, the Aires would have been toast.

Have any of you seen this video of Pentatonix's percussionist, Kevin? I think a snippet of it was shown in the first episode, during the get-to-know-the-group segment. Kind of a multitalented guy.

Beatboxing Cellist

He was also on PBS's "From the Top" show a few years ago. Looks like he plays the saxophone, too.

From the Top