The Voice 4 Battle rounds begin tonight.
A couple of quick thoughts: What’s the point of the mentors? They seem pretty superfluous to the process. Team Blake is quickly becoming Team Country isn’t he? I wasn’t down with his lazy way of calling close contestants. “I’m going to go with what I know.” What a cop-out and it makes you appear like you’re uncomfortable out of your genre. But then, Blake is the coach who turned a pop singer into a country singer last season. Or, he tried to. Shakira is an entertaining judge. But as a coach of vocal talent? I’m not convinced. Choosing the young and inexperienced Garrett over the soulful and confident J’Sun? Really?
My problem with the battle rounds has always been that the result feels pre-determined and set to advance particular story lines–the evenly matched powerhouse battle setup for a steal, or the “surprise” upset. Nothing that happens on stage feels very organic.
Amber Carrington Vs Sasha Allen – Team Adam – Try by Pink – Amber lost her mom to cancer. Sasha is a classically trained pianist and mother of two. Hilary Scott from Lady Antebellum is Adam’s mentor. The emotional and dark song will be a challenge for the singers, Adam thinks. Amber is worried that Sasha is not is not only a powerful singer, but experienced. Adam cautions Sasha not to do too much. Adam and Hilary advise an intimidated Amber to keep the focus on herself. Amber tears up–she wants to make her mom proud. Amber has some pitch problems in rehearsal, while Sasha thinks too much.
This is a very even battle! Amber is a country artist, but is holding her own on a pop rock song. Sasha powers through her vocal confidently. Blake loved it “You are both artists that are ready to do this. The biggest surprise is Amber doing a rock song.” Usher was impressed. “The birth of an incredible talent happened here.” Adam calls it one of the best battle rounds ever on the show. He was the only coach who turned for Amber. Oh. Adam admits Amber was set up as cannon fodder. “I thought maybe Sasha would have wiped the floor with you.” Nice. He makes up for it, though. He chooses Amber. Immediately, Sasha and Usher try to steal Sasha.Usher thinks he can win the show with her. Ditto Shakira. She pours on some emotional manipulation-“Don’t break my heart a second time. Sasha chooses Team Usher. Amber Carrington wins the Battle. Sasha Allen is stolen by Team Shakira.
Garrett Gardner vs. J’Sun – Team Shakira – How You Like Me Now –
Good Charlotte frontman, Joel Madden is Shakira’s coach. He coached The Voice Australia, so he’s mentoring newbie Shakira, in a way. Garrett failed an audition the season before. Now he’s back for redemption. J’Sun is inspired by his late grandmother. Joel is one of the reasons Garrett began singing. J’Sun is worried about singing a song with rock elements. Garrett is very intimidated by J’Sun’s falsetto. Shakira cautions Garrett not to overuse his rasp. She sees potential in him, like a “young Jim Morrison.” Hm. J’Sun is beginning to feel Garrett could be a threat.
Adam may not have gotten Garrett at first, but he definitely gets it now. Blake feels J’Sun did the right things to showcase his falsetto, but he would pick Garrett. Usher gives the battle to Garrett. Shakira is captivated by Garrett’s raspy vocals. J’Sun is eliminated! Really Shakira? Really coaches? Garrett stepped up from where he began, but J’Sun out sang him in the battle, still But we should have figured out he was doomed when he got the cannon fodder edit during the Blind Auditions. He’s an example of “reverse” cannon fodder. A seemingly more experienced contestants who is felled by a newbie. Garrett is getting the “contestant we cut last season, but is the most improved” edit. He has improved, but not sas dramatically as the coaches are pimping him. J’Sun thanks the coaches for giving him a chance. No steal. Boo hoo. Usher felt bad about not taking him, but he’s saving his two steals for something special. Garrett Gardner wins the battle.
Holly Tucker vs. Michelle Raitzin – Team Blake. – Blown Away by Carrie Underwood – Holly left her University marching band to audition for The Voice. She got all 4 chairs to turn around for her. Holly comes from a family of musicians. Team felt their incredible range meant the two belonged together. Only Blake turned around for Michelle her in the audition. Blake feels Holly’s voice is too sweet. He reminds her that the song is about abuse. Michelle was having some pitch problems. Sheryl Crowe is the mentor, but she’s not contributing much. In rehearsal, Michelle’s pitch improves. Blake is anticipating an epic battle.
Both singers are powerful vocalists who faced off against each other like real competitors–complete with well-placed snarls. The girls were incredible, says Usher. They pushed and challenged each other. Shakira says they really brought it. Adam thought Michelle’s lost breath near the end and was weaker. Blake felt Michelle should have been a four seat turner too. Blakeis having a difficult time deciding. He picks the country girl, Holly, because that’s what comes naturally to him. Holly Tucker wins the Battle.
Jess Kellner vs. Taylor Beckham – Team Usher – You Know I’m No Good by Amy Winhouse – Both singers attracted two coaches in their audition. Pharrell is Usher’s mentor. Usher put these two together, because the texture of their voices were so different. In rehearsal, Pharrell advises them to “get lost”–or in other words “connect.” To help them, Usher stands on the other side of the room urging them to sing as if they are beckoning them.. “Captivate me” he says. Jess gets right in Usher’s face, but Taylor continues to hold back.
And during the live performance, Jess continues to dominate. She’s got conviction and distinctive tone. Taylor is no match for her, really. Shakira thinks Jess has rich voice, but Taylor has a unique and angelic personna. She would choose Taylor. Adam liked Jess’ confidence. But Adam would also go with Taylor! Blake enjoyed Tess more. She nailed the vocal and looks like she’s having fun on stage. Usher didn’t think either did their best. The work is only going to get harder. Taylor became very teary as she thanked Usher. Blake suddenly steals her, despite giving the win to Jess. He says throwing the win to Jess was part of his strategy. Jess Kellner wins the battle. Taylor Beckham is stolen by Team Blake. I’m not sure Taylor was worth stealing, to be honest.
Christian Porter vs. The Swon Brothers – Team Blake – I Won’t Back Down by Tom Petty – Back to Blake. Christian is the bar singer who stole the arrangement flipped “Sexy and I Know It.” The Swon Brothers have been singing since they were kids. He put them all together because he felt it would be a “fun” audition. The Swons sang Tom Petty in their audition. Hm. Christian is having trouble with the high notes and is having a crisis of confidence. In rehearsal, he hits the note. Blake is impressed and notes his work ethic. Oh. Blake thought his blind audition was a “novelty” but feels he has a strong voice. The Swons are sloppy, says Blake.
Christian is holding his own, vocally, against the Swons and has an appealing tone and personality. The Swons are polished and sing as if they’ve been doing it forever. Which they have. In a way, this really isn’t a fair fight–it’s the newbie vs the professionals. Personally, I prefer Christian. he’s engaging, performing on stage with lots of personality. He’s without his guitar, but one of the Swon’s plays. Odd. Usher thinks both acts did great. Shakira had fun watching the performance. She picks the Swon bothers. Adam likes Christian’s delivery, he picks him in the battle. Adam thought he was a little pitchy, but congratulates him for hitting the note. The Swons have radio-ready talent. Once again, Blake is “sticking with what I know” and chooses The Swon Brothers. Hm. I disagree. Aw Nobody steals Christian, and I am a little surprised. The Swon Brothers win the battle.
Judith Hill vs. Karina Iglesias – Team Adam – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World – Judith is the Michael Jackson background singer who performed at his memorial service. Karina is an Hispanic singer who teaches music, doesn’t have nearly the experience. Adam puts them together because they are both so strong. He’s practically giving one of them away. Adam advises Karina to sing with some s subtly Judith needs to show a little more emotion. Make the connection to each other, says Adam. Hillary Scott is the mentor, and she’s pretty much a non-entity. I don’t get the point of these mentors.
Ha. They do a little buddah bow to each other before they sing. Both are powerhouse singers. Karina has taken Adam’s advice and dialed back the shouty vocals. She’s giving Judith a run for her money. But there’s no way ringer and chosen one, Judith is going to lose. Karina is a dead gal walking. Blake just shakes his head. He’s freaking out. “So good.” “You guys shook this entire room,” says Usher. Shakira loved the delicious contradiction of the two powerful women singing about “A man’s world.” Shakira would pick Karina. Adam says it was the best battle he’s ever seen on the show. Judith Hill wins the battle. Shakira steals Karina Iglesias. She’s a better fit for Shakira, so it’s all good. Shakira has used up all of her steals.
