'The X Factor' Season 2, Episode 2 Recap - 'Auditions #2'

Johnny Maxwell, a 16-year-old student, is the first face we're introduced to in the next round of auditions in San Francisco. Expect him to sing really well later, or something.

This whole voyeuristic, candid-but-not-really thing continues as the contestants are mic'd up and then shot from a distance, talking about the four judges so that the editors can conveniently cut to them. Britney gets a big build up to her arrival yet again.

I'm realizing why they're using this voyeur style: it's to make up for the lack of a host. Steve Jones isn't there to interview people, so the contestants are just interviewing each other. At least we don't have Kaci and Kaylee this time around. Instead we have Johnny's mom telling him who he is, where he comes from, and whatnot. I suppose it's a pretty good replacement for lack of a Steve Jones, Carson Daly or Ryan Seacrest.

Here are the notable auditioners from the evening:

Johnny Maxwell impresses Simon right off the bat with his exhuberant entrance, and decides to sing an original. Lot of that this season, I guess people saw it work so well for Chris Rene. Anyway, Johnny's singing is a bit weak but the rapping is okay. The lyrics aren't great, but the hook is catchy enough.

Britney and Demi are nice in their comments, but Simon nails it when he says the vocals were weaker than the rapping. However, he applauds Johnny's energy and ambition, and gives a yes along with the other three.

Lexa Berman and Paige Stroobach are paired up in line so that they can create a narrative and show their "character." Lexa is aggresive, competitive and not afraid to flaunt herself, while Paige is quiet and, you know, not a total jerk. Simon calls Lexa "Jersey Shore meets the Kardashians." That's probably fair.

Lexa is up first, and is not very good. Predictable. Anyone introduced as a jerk will inevitably not be very good. "That was the most embarrassing thing of my life," she says. Hey, at least it seems she wasn't planted there. Oddly, we never see Paige audition. Apparently she was pretty forgettable.

Jason Brock, 34, is like if you mixed Elton John with Adam Lambert. He describes his stage show in detail to the judges, which is irrelevant. He launches into "New York State of Mind," and as it turns out, he's pretty good. Nice control, and a tone that's less annoying than what you would expect based on his speaking voice. Mind you, that's not saying much.

He actually gets a standing ovation from everyone but Simon, who loved it nonetheless. Britney was "thoroughly entertained," and L.A. calls him "flawless." Demi says he sparkles. Cute. He gets four yeses.

The Providence auditions kick off with a giant cake for the judges, and Patrick Ford, who is way too obsessed with Britney. He brings out a vase of roses for Britney, who makes a very nervous face. Patrick chooses Britney's "Circus," and of course totally butchers it. The editors make him creepier than he probably was, but the whole thing was still pretty uncomfortable.

Carly Rose Sonenclar, 13, is presumably our next child phenom. Her mother's arms are scaring me. Carly picked "Feelin' Good" to sing, which gets an audible gasp from the judges. Nina Simone from a 13 year old? Yes: Carly not only kills it, but she kills it starting out a capella. It's extremely impressive, and she hits some tough low notes. L.A. actually leans back, throws up his hands and says "What?!" while she sings.

Carly gets another standing ovation, and this time Simon reluctantly joins them. Well deserved: this girl is this year's Rachel Crow, just with a different look and attitude. The judges laud both her vocals and her confidence, and all four of them give her an emphatic yes.

So, some slightly better talent today in just one hour than everything we got from yesterday's two-hour premiere. Hopefully the positive trend continues.