'Platinum Hit' Recap: - 'Kiss the Flame'
[Platinum Hit Season 1 Episode 8]
It was the morning of another challenge and Nick was cocky after Johnny was eliminated. He was confident that Jes was next. In the women's apartment, Jes missed Johnny because he represented family. Sonyae seemed more focused on her makeup than Jes's banter.
The contestants arrived at the studio where they found a letter entitled "Kiss the Flame" but it was the only thing that the card said. The contestants pondered, but Jewel arrived with the challenge. She first introduced the "smart walking" Doug Brod, editor of Spin Magazine, as the guest judge. Jewel explained that "Kiss the Flame" was a song she wrote. She wanted the contestants to write a song about empowerment for their Hook Challenge. Doug noted "We Are the Champions" by Queen as his favorite. Jewel noted that the contestants had to incorporate the phrase "Kiss the Flame" in the song. There will only be two winning hooks.
Scotty decided to write about coming out of the closet. Jes went for the theme of women's empowerment. Nick suggested that women's music was all about empowerment, so he was nervous about her track. Sonyae noted that she's been physically and verbally abused so she's warning others. Brian used his mother as inspiration. As he was strumming, Nick told him to lower his singing so he could concentrate, but he didn't.
Scotty introduced "Reign over me" and the judges thought that the use of rain versus reign was clever but confusing. Jess' song, "Underestimate Away," sounded a bit off from piano chord; even though the judges thought it was "powerful." Nick wrote "Kiss the Flame" and sung another song that sounded like every song he's performed. Brian wrote "The Last Candle" and his song had personal emotions. The judges suggested adjusting the cliché factor. Sonyae wrote, "Tomorrow is too late" and she tried something a bit dance.
After discussing, Jewel announced the two hooks were: Scotty (runner-up) and Brian (winner). Doug loved Brian’s clarity and emotional factor. Jewel announced a surprise: The contestant that did the best on the challenge would get a feature in Spin magazine. Brian got to pick teams first.
Team Brian: Jes
Team Scotty: Sonyae and Nick
Brian explained to Jes that he was honoring his mother but didn't want to be a victim anymore. Jes confessed to Brian that she was assaulted and it took her a year to get over the drama. Both agreed to use the survivor aspect. Brian suggested catering to a musician like Pink so Brian allowed Jes to sing.
Scotty had to explain the concept of coming out and taking control of their personal actions. Sonyae liked working on the song, but they couldn't solidify the title. Sonyae suggested that she sing the song.
Brian went back to working on the track first while he let Jes produce lyrics. Jes occasionally would stop Brian producing music, but Brian was so focused on the backing track. Jes tried to stop Brian with the bridge and they decided that with an hour to go for the day to work on lyrics. Brian shot down lyrics, but they managed to get some lyrics together.
Sonyae suggested the phrase "excommunicated" but Scotty thought it was a bit churchy. Scotty got the chords down, but Sonyae and Nick wouldn't agree on the chorus. With ten minutes, none of Scotty's song came together. There was no bridge, but Sonyae quickly threw something together. With a minute left, Scotty freaked out and the two had brain freeze. They managed to churn a lyric with time out.
The contestants wound down in their apartments. Nick tried to explain how he wasn't gay but understood the concept of "unaccepted." Morning hit and the contestants got changed and headed to the studios. They were greeted by Jewel, Kara Dioguardi, and Keith Naftaly. The special guest judge was Colbie Callait.
Sonyae, Nick, and Scotty introduced "Reign" and Sonyae was in charge of the singing. There were some minor issues with harmonies in the background. Scotty danced vogue while Nick did some rapping. Brian and Jes performed "The Last Candle" and Jes did a good job with the vocals. The production value was good, but Keith kept giving the performers a confused look the whole time. I was impressed by Jes's vocal range.
While the judges deliberated, Nick was convinced that his song was amazing. Jes thought that the other group's whole song was a mess. Scotty thought that Brian's song wasn't current.
The judges called both teams up on stage for their deliberations. Brian and Jes explained their motives. Brian explained his mother with breast cancer and Jes's assault. Kara applauded the two for writing with truth. The overall production needed grit which it lacked. Scotty explained "Reign" and admitted that none of the contestants were feeling the song. Kara thought the team should have used "over" instead of "on" in the chorus. Scotty thought that the song could have been better. Scotty, Nick, and Sonyae wrote the better song. This completely confused Scotty. The judges loved the whole performance. Scotty was complimented by the chord progressions. Sonyae had strong lyrics and verses. Nick fought for the chorus. They announced that the winner was Nick. He won a spread in Spin Magazine.
For Brian and Jes, Jewel thought that the song was changed for the worse. The song wasn't personal enough. Brian admitted that he didn't change the chorus from the hook challenge. Keith would have passed the song completely. Jes had some strong lines, but others weren't on topic. Jewel thought the song sounded like Hannah Montana instead of Pink. Kara thought the music sounded like it was five years older. Jes admitted that she would do the lyrics. Jes needed to be more intense, but Brian didn't pay attention to Jes. Both contestants tried to plea for survival, Jes becoming frustrated by the whole situation.
After the commercial the judges warned Brian for having a dated instrumentation. Jes hasn't written anything capable yet. Jewel announced that Brian was eliminated and Jes was safe. Kara reminded Brian that everyone has failed and he needed to keep fighting. Scotty and Nick tried to comfort Brian, but Nick's douche-nature tried to convince Brian was "top four" when he was top five.
Next Week: Solo challenges. Kara came in to challenge Sonyae's lyrics.