he/him
That's an amazing contribution!
The Australian Reality TV Girls Rate - #1 & #2 - And the winner IS...
- Thread starter livefrommelbs
- Start date
That's an amazing contribution!
Shall we get into the top 25, then?
It's from an act with multiple songs still in contention...
It's a one-word title...
And it's a winner's single.
25. Dami Im - Alive
Average Score - 8.108
High Scorers - @Untouchable Ace, @Music Is Life, @Remorque & @Pineapple (10), @Fuchsia (9.5)
Low Scorers - @klow (4), @Hurricane Drunk & @abael (6)
My Score - 8.5
Dami hasn't lost a song since 'Crying Underwater' was booted at #51. Give it up to that 26-song safe streak! At the point end of the rate, no queen is safe - and it's about time for 'Alive' to a-leave. I'm sorry.
'Alive' was released as Dami's debut single after she took out the X Factor crown in late 2013. The track debuted at #1 on the ARIA Singles Charts - which, given Dami's incredible success during her run on the show, wasn't all that surprising. If anything, it was hype itself that got 'Alive' to the top spot, because the track doesn't necessarily scream smash-hit single like some of the other songs in the rate.
The track was produced by DNA, who have had a hand in most of Dami's singles (including 'Sound of Silence') and sees Queen Dami serving us inspirational, motivational mid-tempo drama. It was definitely the right kind of track for Dami to debut with - showcasing her powerful voice, but in a song that had a pop sheen that was very du jour. It's very Katy Perry.
My favourite part of the song is definitely the lyrics. I'm a sucker for any song that's very 'life has the potential to be amazing if you believe in your ability to make it amazing' - and this song gives me EVERYTHING I need from that sentiment. I mean...
Don't keep waiting for an open door
Break the lock and get something more
Make a move 'cause you're alive
So empowering. LOVE THIS FOR ALL OF US. Put it on a mug. It also had shades of triumph to it that felt very nicely aligned to Dami's win.
Lyrics aside, Dami's vocals on the chorus are particularly good, showing strength and heart in equal measures, bolstered by the punchy prediction. Special shout out to the vocal moment that wraps up the middle eight as well. Just delicious.
I gave 'Alive' an 8.5, which feels about right - and why I'm happy for it to leave about now. In terms of Dami's other tracks, I don't think it has the euphoric power of 'Super Love' or the sheer perfection of 'Sound Of Silence', but I definitely put this and 'Gladiator' on a similar platform. They're Dami's mid-tempo moments that show exactly why our girl won X Factor - and why she deserved better in the long run. A strong start.
@Pineapple (10) makes a VERY. VALID. POINT. - Australian X Factor had some killer winner’s singles. This is fantastic.
@Untouchable Ace (10) has one word to say to y'all - Quality.
@berserkboi (9.1) a-likes it, but doesn't a-love it - A bop, quite stunning in parts but there are moments that are a bit stilted (vocal delivery) and they take away from the melody!
@daninternational (7.75) considers 'Alive' just a sign of more amazingness to come - One of the best ballads in this lineup, but she got much better
It's from an act with multiple songs still in contention...
It's a one-word title...
And it's a winner's single.
25. Dami Im - Alive
Average Score - 8.108
High Scorers - @Untouchable Ace, @Music Is Life, @Remorque & @Pineapple (10), @Fuchsia (9.5)
Low Scorers - @klow (4), @Hurricane Drunk & @abael (6)
My Score - 8.5
Dami hasn't lost a song since 'Crying Underwater' was booted at #51. Give it up to that 26-song safe streak! At the point end of the rate, no queen is safe - and it's about time for 'Alive' to a-leave. I'm sorry.
'Alive' was released as Dami's debut single after she took out the X Factor crown in late 2013. The track debuted at #1 on the ARIA Singles Charts - which, given Dami's incredible success during her run on the show, wasn't all that surprising. If anything, it was hype itself that got 'Alive' to the top spot, because the track doesn't necessarily scream smash-hit single like some of the other songs in the rate.
The track was produced by DNA, who have had a hand in most of Dami's singles (including 'Sound of Silence') and sees Queen Dami serving us inspirational, motivational mid-tempo drama. It was definitely the right kind of track for Dami to debut with - showcasing her powerful voice, but in a song that had a pop sheen that was very du jour. It's very Katy Perry.
My favourite part of the song is definitely the lyrics. I'm a sucker for any song that's very 'life has the potential to be amazing if you believe in your ability to make it amazing' - and this song gives me EVERYTHING I need from that sentiment. I mean...
Don't keep waiting for an open door
Break the lock and get something more
Make a move 'cause you're alive
So empowering. LOVE THIS FOR ALL OF US. Put it on a mug. It also had shades of triumph to it that felt very nicely aligned to Dami's win.
Lyrics aside, Dami's vocals on the chorus are particularly good, showing strength and heart in equal measures, bolstered by the punchy prediction. Special shout out to the vocal moment that wraps up the middle eight as well. Just delicious.
I gave 'Alive' an 8.5, which feels about right - and why I'm happy for it to leave about now. In terms of Dami's other tracks, I don't think it has the euphoric power of 'Super Love' or the sheer perfection of 'Sound Of Silence', but I definitely put this and 'Gladiator' on a similar platform. They're Dami's mid-tempo moments that show exactly why our girl won X Factor - and why she deserved better in the long run. A strong start.
@Pineapple (10) makes a VERY. VALID. POINT. - Australian X Factor had some killer winner’s singles. This is fantastic.
@Untouchable Ace (10) has one word to say to y'all - Quality.
@berserkboi (9.1) a-likes it, but doesn't a-love it - A bop, quite stunning in parts but there are moments that are a bit stilted (vocal delivery) and they take away from the melody!
@daninternational (7.75) considers 'Alive' just a sign of more amazingness to come - One of the best ballads in this lineup, but she got much better
he/him
Maybe it's cos I'm having a Dua day, but listening to this back I think I was overgenerous.
Either way, a good time to say goodbye
Either way, a good time to say goodbye
I'm backbackback again to resume our regular programming.
And we're saying goodbye to another artist entirely.
24. Ngaiire - Shiver
Average Score - 8.11
High Scorers - @berserkboi, @Music Is Life, @klow & @daninternational (10), @Untouchable Ace (9.6)
Low Scorers - @abael (6), @saviodxl (6.4)
My Score - 7.5
Give it up for our 10th place finalist, the divine Ms. Ngaiire Joseph! We haven't heard from our resident soul siren since 'Once' tapped out at #39 (@klow found triggered), so 'Shiver' making it to the top 25 is a pretty impressive achievement.
Given the quality of the song though, its not really a huge surprise. 'Shiver' gives our rate one of its more downtempo moments and for the most part the gals were here for it. It snatched up four 10s and never got lower than a 6. We can't argue with quality (even if my 7.5 is, in hindsight, a huge underscoring. Not sure what went on there).
Released in 2019, the track sees Ngaiire drawing inspiration from her indigenous Papua New Guinean roots to touch on themes of grief, loss and the afterlife. Ngaiire's late Aine (grandmother) in particular inspired the spectral subject matter. I found this quote from an interview around the time of the song's release really insightful and poetic.
"Our people believe that there is no time or space between where the dead end up and this world which I’ve always found both terrifying and beautiful. Knowing that we still have the watchful eyes of our ancestors upon us is something that continues to propel us forward as indigenous people. But just as much as it’s about comfort, ‘Shiver’ is also about the order of life and death and most importantly how we process grief."
Consider me gooped at this revelation, by the way. On the surface, the track reads almost like a love song - someone coming along and flipping everything you know on your head. This cultural lens only adds to 'Shiver's strengths. Musically, the production cruises along with a fizzy, bubbling energy and all kinds of nuanced peaks and troughs. Ngaiire sounds predictably great, slowly building her vocal power as the track progresses (and the productions builds with it). It all works a treat.
As one of her more recent releases, 'Shiver' is proof that Ngaiire continues to evolve as an artist. She's a true unique in both the rate and the Australian music scene at large - a round of applause for giving us something different as part of our 75-song reality TV journey!
Let's throw it to the judges.
@berserkboi (10) loves how the song builds over its runtime - A soft builder of a bop! Quite stunning actually!
@daninternational (10) stans excellence - I adore this song and her voice.
@klow (10) is our resident Ngaiire stan, so of course they got the cultural subtext from the jump - Put this on your saging-the-house playlist - a shadowy Halloween bop with vocals strong enough to banish even the stubbornest of ghosts from their hiding places.
@Music Is Life (10) finds approximately zero flaws - Everything about this is amazing.
@Untouchable Ace (9.6) is ready for more - You can tell this whole project will be amazing.
And we're saying goodbye to another artist entirely.
24. Ngaiire - Shiver
Average Score - 8.11
High Scorers - @berserkboi, @Music Is Life, @klow & @daninternational (10), @Untouchable Ace (9.6)
Low Scorers - @abael (6), @saviodxl (6.4)
My Score - 7.5
Give it up for our 10th place finalist, the divine Ms. Ngaiire Joseph! We haven't heard from our resident soul siren since 'Once' tapped out at #39 (@klow found triggered), so 'Shiver' making it to the top 25 is a pretty impressive achievement.
Given the quality of the song though, its not really a huge surprise. 'Shiver' gives our rate one of its more downtempo moments and for the most part the gals were here for it. It snatched up four 10s and never got lower than a 6. We can't argue with quality (even if my 7.5 is, in hindsight, a huge underscoring. Not sure what went on there).
Released in 2019, the track sees Ngaiire drawing inspiration from her indigenous Papua New Guinean roots to touch on themes of grief, loss and the afterlife. Ngaiire's late Aine (grandmother) in particular inspired the spectral subject matter. I found this quote from an interview around the time of the song's release really insightful and poetic.
"Our people believe that there is no time or space between where the dead end up and this world which I’ve always found both terrifying and beautiful. Knowing that we still have the watchful eyes of our ancestors upon us is something that continues to propel us forward as indigenous people. But just as much as it’s about comfort, ‘Shiver’ is also about the order of life and death and most importantly how we process grief."
Consider me gooped at this revelation, by the way. On the surface, the track reads almost like a love song - someone coming along and flipping everything you know on your head. This cultural lens only adds to 'Shiver's strengths. Musically, the production cruises along with a fizzy, bubbling energy and all kinds of nuanced peaks and troughs. Ngaiire sounds predictably great, slowly building her vocal power as the track progresses (and the productions builds with it). It all works a treat.
As one of her more recent releases, 'Shiver' is proof that Ngaiire continues to evolve as an artist. She's a true unique in both the rate and the Australian music scene at large - a round of applause for giving us something different as part of our 75-song reality TV journey!
Let's throw it to the judges.
@berserkboi (10) loves how the song builds over its runtime - A soft builder of a bop! Quite stunning actually!
@daninternational (10) stans excellence - I adore this song and her voice.
@klow (10) is our resident Ngaiire stan, so of course they got the cultural subtext from the jump - Put this on your saging-the-house playlist - a shadowy Halloween bop with vocals strong enough to banish even the stubbornest of ghosts from their hiding places.
@Music Is Life (10) finds approximately zero flaws - Everything about this is amazing.
@Untouchable Ace (9.6) is ready for more - You can tell this whole project will be amazing.
With "Once" disappearing a while back I was impressed this lasted this long, to be honest! If her album ever materialises I'm sure to be found shouting about it in her thread / the monthly chart thread, so feel free to all join me if you like.
I've actually only got one 10 left in the whole rate now that that's out, so c'mon Ms Brooke Addamo!
I've actually only got one 10 left in the whole rate now that that's out, so c'mon Ms Brooke Addamo!
The second half of the ballots really bolstered 'Shiver' up a bit. It was always ahead of 'Once', but it really held its own as the scores came in!
he/him
Ngaiire really stood out on this list, but I loved her for it. Bring on the album!
He/Him
I will be helping you make it chart when it happens! :D
Natalie was eliminated from The Voice.
She wasn't given the best chance.
She wasn't given the best chance.
he / him
Natalie's performances on The Voice haven't been particularly noteworthy, in my opinion. I'm still surprised that she managed to get two chair turns to begin with.
Also, is it just me or do y'all also think that this season's battle round pairings and song choices have been terrible?
Was glad to see queen Roxane made it through!
And yes, I agree. They’ve been a mess.
Well the next elimination should be a moment most pleasing to you then! I'll try get it out in the next few hours.
He/Him
This had better not be another Ricki Lee track TankedbyHazey TM
he/him
'Tanked'. Ddd, No you could say I tanked something like Ngaiire's Once with my 4, not Ricki Lee. I will say one of her Wild Card songs is much better than any of her main rate songs though.
Could it be one of the two songs currently tied in first place? TIME WILL TELL. Aka someone/someones send me ballots to break the tie.
What's our next elimination, you ask?
Think this...
Or this...
Or even this...
Before I stop the theatrics and tell you it's this.
23. Dami Im - Gladiator
Average Score - 8.15
High Scorers - @Phonetics Boy, @berserkboi, @abael & @Music Is Life (10), @daninternational (9.25)
Low Scorers - @Hurricane Drunk (4), @klow (6), @saviodxl (6.8)
My Score - 9
That's right - next up we lose a song from the pantheon of 'powerful pop with equally-powerful one-word titles'. And Dami loses her second track in three eliminations. Sis has three remaining - but for how long?
'Gladiator' was released in 2014 as Dami's third solo single and second from Heart Beats, after 'Super Love' blasted into the world (and missed the top 10 by 1 placing which is an absolute HATE CRIME). This track sees Dami returning to the mid-tempo power-pop template of 'Alive', giving the gals a 'fight for this love' anthem that felt right at home with Dami's artistic style at the time.
'Gladiator' also peaked at #11 on the ARIA Singles Charts, but probably isn't as widely remembered as 'Super Love' (or 'Sound of Silence', for that matter). That's not to say the song isn't a great one though, because it is. It's strength clearly lies in the chorus, which as a swooping, soaring melody that fly-kicks its way into your brain and stays there. The post-chorus hook is HELLA TIGHT, and the song also continues the trend of Dami delivering rock-solid middle 8s. In more obvious areas, Dami delivers great vocals - and looks stunning in the music video too.
We all mostly liked this one. As @Phonetics Boy mentioned in her commentary for her 11 (#JusticeForWhatsGoingOn), it almost got her highest honours! And as @berserkboi mentions below, it's his favourite of Dami's tracks too.
I gave it a 9 and have such fond memories of playing the hell out of this song a few months after moving to Melbourne. It's one of those tracks that takes me back to a certain time and place in a big way (although Dami accomplished in bigger more impactful ways, which will be revealed soon). Do I think it's about time it left the rate? Sure. But that's not to discredit its power as a pop song.
@berserkboi (10) can't fault this one. Oh, at all - If Dami were gonna get an 11 from me, it would have been for this! Absolute perfection from beginning to end!
@daninternational (9.25) is here for the midtempo moment - I love this contemporary ballad style
@Untouchable Ace (8.8) reckons the song needs to give up the fight a little - Impressive, but the song seems to be trying too hard.
@Sprockrooster (7.5) isn't finding any real traces of originality - I mean could it be more generic?
Think this...
Or this...
Or even this...
Before I stop the theatrics and tell you it's this.
23. Dami Im - Gladiator
Average Score - 8.15
High Scorers - @Phonetics Boy, @berserkboi, @abael & @Music Is Life (10), @daninternational (9.25)
Low Scorers - @Hurricane Drunk (4), @klow (6), @saviodxl (6.8)
My Score - 9
That's right - next up we lose a song from the pantheon of 'powerful pop with equally-powerful one-word titles'. And Dami loses her second track in three eliminations. Sis has three remaining - but for how long?
'Gladiator' was released in 2014 as Dami's third solo single and second from Heart Beats, after 'Super Love' blasted into the world (and missed the top 10 by 1 placing which is an absolute HATE CRIME). This track sees Dami returning to the mid-tempo power-pop template of 'Alive', giving the gals a 'fight for this love' anthem that felt right at home with Dami's artistic style at the time.
'Gladiator' also peaked at #11 on the ARIA Singles Charts, but probably isn't as widely remembered as 'Super Love' (or 'Sound of Silence', for that matter). That's not to say the song isn't a great one though, because it is. It's strength clearly lies in the chorus, which as a swooping, soaring melody that fly-kicks its way into your brain and stays there. The post-chorus hook is HELLA TIGHT, and the song also continues the trend of Dami delivering rock-solid middle 8s. In more obvious areas, Dami delivers great vocals - and looks stunning in the music video too.
We all mostly liked this one. As @Phonetics Boy mentioned in her commentary for her 11 (#JusticeForWhatsGoingOn), it almost got her highest honours! And as @berserkboi mentions below, it's his favourite of Dami's tracks too.
I gave it a 9 and have such fond memories of playing the hell out of this song a few months after moving to Melbourne. It's one of those tracks that takes me back to a certain time and place in a big way (although Dami accomplished in bigger more impactful ways, which will be revealed soon). Do I think it's about time it left the rate? Sure. But that's not to discredit its power as a pop song.
@berserkboi (10) can't fault this one. Oh, at all - If Dami were gonna get an 11 from me, it would have been for this! Absolute perfection from beginning to end!
@daninternational (9.25) is here for the midtempo moment - I love this contemporary ballad style
@Untouchable Ace (8.8) reckons the song needs to give up the fight a little - Impressive, but the song seems to be trying too hard.
@Sprockrooster (7.5) isn't finding any real traces of originality - I mean could it be more generic?
He/Him
@Sprockrooster continues to be underwhelmed by my faves! Ddddd I don't like this! Yes - this is my favourite Dami so I had wished it went all the way, hopefully at least Samantha manages to take my favourite song of hers all the way! C'mon X Factor gals!!