It’s The X Factor Semi-Finals tonight as Chris Rene, Josh Krajcik, Marcus Canty, and Melanie Amaro all hope to make it into next week’s Finals. They will each sing two songs tonight, with one of those songs coming from the delayed Pepsi Challenge that was suppose to occur last week. Hopefully whatever intern handed out the songs this week did it correctly. I haven’t yet heard what the theme for the other song will be, so we’ll all just be surprised when host Steve Jones announces it at the beginning of the show.

Join me after the jump as I live blog The X Factor Top 9 Performances. And chat with other X Factor fans during the show in our Shoutbox.

NOTE: DJ Slim will be posting the audio performances from tonight’s The X Factor over at IdolBlogLive.com. If you missed a performance, or want to hear one again, go check out our sister site.

Tonight’s X Factor opens with a recap of last week’s cowardly judge voting, Rachel Crow’s breakdown after hearing her name called out, and a quick view of just some of the headlines that the result made around the country. Last week’s shocker resulted in the type of press that money simply can’t buy. But will it result in more people watching tonight’s performances? I’m sure the producers are hoping so, since the ratings have been steadily going downhill since the live performances started.

The judges are introduced, and while I didn’t hear any boos for Nicole, the clapping wasn’t as loud as it was for the other three judges. Then again, Nicole has always been the least well-known of the judges. It would be interesting to see how tonight’s clapping for her stands up to previous weeks.

Host Steve Jones asks Simon Cowell how Rachel Crow is doing. He says he hasn’t seen her but has seen the pictures, but he knows she will be fine because she is a trooper. Besides, he says, Rachel no longer has to put up with Nicole and Paula. Steve then goes to Nicole, and the audience does partially boo. Not sure if my boo from my living room could be heard all the way over there, however.

First up tonight is Marcus Canty. No pre-performance videos for the first groups of songs. Marcus is singing Boyz II Men’s “I’ll Make Love To You.” If his lovemaking is anything like this performance, then he’ll never pull again. His vocals are off-key throughout the song. It’s like he’s a half-key off-key the entire time, creating some very painful sounds to those of us who like to listen to good music. Nicole and Paula both gush all over Marcus. And while the audience is cheering Marcus on, I’m pretty sure that America is tuning him out.

Chris Rene is up next. I missed it before Marcus sang, but this first set of songs is what America voted the contestants to sing for the Pepsi Challenge. Sadly for the original artists, the show refuses to give the name of the song prior to the contestants singing it. Something appears to be wrong with Chris’ microphone, as his voice is coming in much quieter than the rest of the song. It doesn’t sound like a case of him not singing loud enough or being overpowered by the music and backup vocals. Instead, it sounds like his mic is just turned down too low. It’s still a great performance and he clearly had a lot of fun with the song. The audience is shouting Chris name in unison. They really loved it

Melanie Amaro takes the stage next to sing her Pepsi Challenge song. Simon, when introducing her, says they’ve put a little twist on it. Pepsi with a twist. Melanie looks simply stunning, as usual, up there on stage in a black dress behind a mircophone with the fog machine going. She is singing Mariah Carey’s “Hero,” and it is amazing. Every note is so flawlessly sung. Her voice sounds like an angel. L.A. Reid, sadly, first takes America to task for picking this song for her (he says it was predictable), then took Melanie to task for not connecting with this song. L.A., I think I speak for America when I say we’ve just voted and have connected you with the exit door. Feel free to let it hit you on the way out.

Josh Krajcik gets the pimp spot this week. I can’t help but wonder if Marcus going first and Josh going last is an attempt by the producers to ensure that Marcus goes home and Josh stays. Josh is singing “Come Together” by The Beatles. I can’t quite put my finger on why I don’t like this performance, but I don’t like it. It’s a slower version than the original, which doesn’t work all that well. Josh doesn’t seem very connected to the song, either. But he sounds good. Vocally, he hit every note. It’s just that he didn’t seem to connect to it. Didn’t have the oomph that it needed.

That wraps up the Pepsi Challenge portion of tonight’s show. Marcus was off-key, Chris’ microphone sounded low, Melanie won the set, and Josh didn’t connect. Could we please never allow America to vote for songs again?

Time for Marcus Canty to take the stage again. In the pre-performance video, Marcus talks about not wanting to go up against “little Rachel” in the Bottom 2 last week. He says the fact that he didn’t go home gives him motivation to go back out on stage and dig deep. Both Marcus and L.A. talk like Marcus is going to survive yet another week (so not gonna happen). He is singing George Michael’s “Never Gonna Dance Again,” and it’s a great performance in the beginning. It’s a slowed-down version (is there any other kind with this group), but it’s very soulful. Unfortunately for Marcus, he misses all the high notes when he tries to show off his range and it destroys the song. Yeah. Marcus really stands a chance of lasting another week (rolls eyes).

Time for Chris Rene to take to the stage again. In the pre-performance video, Chris talks about how just seven months ago he was learning how to be clean and sober. Simon says he likes that Chris has remained himself and hasn’t compromised. Chris will be playing the piano tonight, but also says he has never played the piano and sang at the same time in front of a live audience. I still am amazed that someone as tatooed as Chris can dress so preppy. He is singing “No One” by Alicia Keys, and is really doing a great job with it. His vocals were very, very good with this song. I wish he would sound like this every time he sings, because it is during these times that I think he could actually challenge Melanie for the title.

Time for said Melanie Amaro to take the stage again. In her pre-performance video, we see Melanie crying after making it to the semi-finals last week. We also see Melanie receiving a tweet from Mariah Carey, which excites her to no end. L.A. is seen first putting Melanie down by saying she is always singing “same ol’, same ol’,” but then also stating that whatever changes Simon does this week will likely be a mistake. Ugh. She is singing Michael Buble’s version of “Feeling Good.” And it is making me feel very good. It’s a sort-of jazzy version of the song that Melanie completely tames then slays. And her final note is just amazing. I’m completely puddy in her hands. L.A. Reid even showers Melanie with love for this song.

As I’ve stated in the past, can we please just go ahead and give Melanie the crown right now? Do we really have to go through the motions of the elimination tomorrow night, the performances next Wednesday, and the dragged-out Finale show next Thursday before Melanie wins?

Time for the final performance of the night, which belongs to Josh Krajcik. In the pre-performance video, Josh mentions that there is a lot of pressure this week. We see a photo of when Josh was young, and you know what? He actually washed his hair back then. We also see Josh’s brother, Zach, talking about the day Josh called saying he had no place to live. Josh says his strategy this week is to take a beautiful love song and make it stand out. In other words, another slow song. Josh is playing the piano tonight and is performing the oft-performed “Hallelujah.” It’s a really good performance with a very soulful voice. He hits every note and makes a great connection to the song. L.A. says he was bored. Frankly, L.A., I’m bored of you.

So what did you think of tonight’s performances? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

And don’t forget to join me for the Idol Radio Show tonight at 11 PM ET / 10 PM CT as I talk about tonight’s X Factor performances, American Idol news, and anything else in the entertainment industry that needs to be discussed. Simply click the “Listen Live” banner in the right column when the show starts.