'The Voice' Recap: Battle Cries
Pairings result in some questionable outcomes
Some interesting pairings led to even more interesting performances in this episode, but at what expense? I believe some folks got robbed.
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But first things first, right?
Team Levine saw Pip sparring with swim champ Nathan Parrett. The song? "You Know I'm No Good" by Amy Winehouse. (Levine tends to go with more recent stuff, while the others have fun tearing up the '80s.) While Cee Lo thought Parrett "put some of Amy's spirit" into the tune, it was Pip who took the prize. Perhaps thanks to the bow ties. What a collection.
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Next up was, by far, the most entertaining performance of the night -- Christina even said as much! Cee Lo had the quirky Brothers Shield go up against his beloved Erin Martin, the admittedly gorgeous former model. In fact, the only one who loves Martin more than Cee Lo is ... Martin. The match was inspired, despite Martin's arrogance, and thanks to some great advice from Babyface to the brothers ("show some vulnerability"), they gave her a real run for her money. It was "What's Love Got to Do With It" by Tina Turner, and I found Martin's inarguably versatile vocal stylings grating here. The boys rocked. But, they also lost. Somehow.
XTina put Johnathis "in the ring" with Ashley de la Rosa, a duet on a duet, the hit "No Air." Vocal "mentor" Lionel Richie did his second week in a row yammering about "character," which didn't help Johnathis much. He was sent packing.
In what was easily the second best performance of the night -- and second robbery -- Shelton had Kardashian lookalike ALyX sing "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" with Alicia Keyes' back-up singer Jermaine Paul. Was Paul good? Sure! But he didn't do much more than channel the song's originator, Billy Ocean. ALyX got a raw deal, which just so happened to be exactly what Blake said. Right before he crowned Paul the king. Go figure.
Others may think the next match also yielded a robbery -- I just feel so strongly about the two I already mentioned I don't wanna overdo it. Angel Taylor and Katrina Parker tackled Leona Lewis. Adam seemed genuinely torn, though ultimately went with Katrina, and she couldn't have been more surprised.
Then it was right back to the fun song assignments. Shelton doled out Pat Benatar's hit "We Belong." Erin Willett, who won Blake over with some Motown, got said assignment, along with Gwen Sebastian, who had declared her "heart is country" just before she accepted Shelton's team offer during the blind auditions. Speaking of heart, Willett, whose father is terminally ill, got some bad news prior to the performance, and the time-honored "show must go on" adage came into play. One can only imagine her mindset, even while Shelton had a heart-to-heart with her only moments before. Willett's a trooper, and fared well, especially thanks to Sebastian's overly-Reba sound. That mighta been exactly what cost Gwen the win; "We Belong" just wasn't for her.
And many of the night's winners ... well ... just don't belong. Don't you agree?
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"The Voice" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC
I think that the judges should not see the singers until the live shows. That way all are really being picked on ther voices along. They could have a one way mirror wall up behind the judges so when they turn around the singers can see who turned their chair but the judges are still unaware of what the singer looks like until the live show. The geust artist that they bring in to mentor should be used to help perpare them for the battle rounds with the judges being shielded from seeing the artist until the live show.
I also did not enjoy Erin's try at a Tina Turner classic. The Brother's need to realize that rockers can also sing without always screaming and when thay did just sing that were OK not great but OK.
It was painful to watch that performance, I think Adam was being nice when he said it was weird. I thought the Shields' out sang and performed Erin. I think they made that song their own and I think they held back because they listened to the advice of the coaches. They did everything that was asked of them and they made the song fun. I know Cee Lo likes to rock out and for this type of competition I would think you want strong performers in the live show--these guys ENTERTAINED and their energy was great! Cee Lo said he was afraid that the Shields didn't have enough versatility, isn't that what coaching is for--mentor and improve these guys. As for Erin I really don't think that Cee Lo can do much more for this wannabe indie singer--I think she is more of a one-note singer, than the Shields...she should stick to modeling. Still love Cee Lo, but I think his pick is going to end up being a bust. You can never go wrong with a duo of rock and rollers! Good luck Shields Bros!! As for Xtina pick of Ashley over Jonathis--I thought he was more soulful and articulate that Ashley, I know everybody said she took more of a risk. I thought that Jonathis showed restraint instead of belting out what was capable of doing...I guess that's what he gets for listening to advice about character rather then get advice about his strengths! All in all a pretty disappointing night, I hope next week is better. So far last season was more entertaining and the singers were much better! Until next week...
ERIN SUCKED!!!!!!! I didn't like her on the blind auditions, and I really didn't like her last night. I think the boys did so much better than she.
I couldn't understand a word she was saying, and what is it with everyone "singing" in that style? I don't think you can really call what she did "singing." My thought while I watched this was, "she is just another model who thinks she can sing." Luckily, I wasn't home at that moment and had recorded it, so I could fast forward thru it. When Cee Lo picked her, I about fell out of my chair! I think the boys were totally shocked. You know they watched it last night and when her name was called as the winner, took out their shotguns and blew away the t.v.
I personally liked Pip better than Nathan, but I thought they both did a great job.
On the blind auditions, I didn't really care for Jermaine. But last night, I thought he did a great job on the Billy Ocean song. So he "channelled" Ocean, big deal. I think he added just enough of himself to win.
I also liked Gwen better than Erin Willett. I think Blake felt sorry for Erin.
anyway, after that I performance I almost changed channels, but didn't....way to go Cee-lo....... you really have to have your hearing checked..... Well maybe I will start to watch Dancing with the Stars instead of the Voice, your going to blow it for all Cee-lo.
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Deanna Barnert | Los Angeles, Calif.
Entertainment journalist Deanna "TVDeeva" Barnert visits sets, interviews industry players and critiques the final product. Buzz's daytime TV queen covers it all for MSN TV, but loves her sitcoms, soaps and any juicy drama that doesn't call itself Reality TV.
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