The Sing-Off returned on Monday with four of the a cappella groups fighting for three spots, joining the three groups that passed through this phase of the competition last week. In this group of four are Home Free, Voiceplay, Element and Vocal Rush, who performed hits that have endured the test of time.

The Sing-Off Recap

After all four of the groups teamed up to perform a medley of The Who’s "My Generation," Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and Imagine Dragon’s “It’s Time,” it was time for the competing to begin.

Home Free

First up was the country group Home Free, performing Johnny Cash classic “Ring of Fire.” Surprisingly, instead of keeping to the original melody, the group made the song their own. With the lead singer’s pure, slightly high sound and the deep bass singer, Home Free won the praise of Ben Folds, Jewel and Shawn Stockman.

VoicePlay

VoicePlay, the Florida natives that have been singing together since high school, decided to challenge themselves with No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak.” They’re accustomed to picking more energetic songs and are somewhat uncomfortable with a number somewhat more in the ballad range and considerably less upbeat. The lead singer’s vocals are okay, but she fails to channel the emotion of the song, something Folds had advised in rehearsals.

Element

All-girl group Element were tasked with singing “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” by Diana Ross & the Supremes. Already at a disadvantage range-wise due to the lack of any males in the group, none of Element’s vocalists stand out from the pack. The song required voices with a bit more power that Element brings to the stage.

Vocal Rush

High school a cappella group Vocal Rush, potentially with a name adapted from Glee’s Vocal Adrenaline, brought all of their weapons out to sing Footloose album track “Holding Out for a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler. The kids step, sing and rap their way through the timeless 80s song. The one criticism they receive from the judges’ panel is that they get overexcited and sometimes rush through parts of the song.

Ultimate Sing-Off

The judges select Element and Vocal Rush to compete in the Ultimate Sing-Off, performing Destiny’s Child’s "Survivor." Vocal Rush knocks their part out of the auditorium and the judges select the kids from Oakland to stick around in the competition.

– Chelsea Regan

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