The Voice: Live Playoffs Begin!

Tonight The Voice goes live for the first  time this season as the team playoffs begin. Each coach has 5 contestants left, and this week America will vote to put the finalists through to the Top 12. This evening’s playoffs feature Team Adam and Team Blake, but don’t worry about the other two coaches: never to be outdone, Cee-Lo is channeling Prince for the show, and Christina Aguilera raided Cyndi Lauper’s closet.

Team Adam and Team Blake start off with a nifty little group number (didn't realize we had so much time on our hands this evening), set to Boston's "Piece of Mind." They do a pretty good job with it, and they all have a chance to "shine," but I was really hoping the coaches would open the show tonight....I love those moments. Oh well. On we go.

  

Contestant: Joselyn Rivera

Team: Adam

Song: “Give Your Heart a Break” by Demi Lovato

Joselyn begins her song at the top of a staircase and struts down with authority. She’s confident, but her vocals are shaky, and she is out of breath at times. I liked her going into this round, but this is not a strong performance.

Coaches Say: Blake says Joselyn always delivers and she looks like a star. Huh? Xtina tells Joselyn she shines on stage. What about the vocals? Cee-Lo likes her attitude and thinks she rose to the challenge.  Adam is so proud of his contestant and says she did an incredible job. So, no real critique on her singing….we're off to a great start.

-------------------------------

Contestant: Terry McDermott

Team: Blake

Song: “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey

Terry is one of my favorites this season, and I think this is a great song choice for him. He has some confidence about him, but he is not cocky which I appreciate. This is such a challenging song, and he owns every part of it. Well done.

Coaches Say: Xtina says as soon as Terry starts singing, it’s easy on the ears. Cee-Lo admires the effortlessness of Terry’s singing. Blake says “when God was passing out the ability to rock, He gave Terry just a little bit more.” Pretty accurate.

------------------------------

Contestant: Melanie Martinez

Team: Adam

Song: “Hit the Road, Jack” by Ray Charles

I can't say that I saw this song coming. Melanie is very Peggy Lee to start (I almost wish she would just sing "Fever" instead), and I sit here a little bored. The tempo picks up for the last quarter of the song, but it’s just okay for me. She is very unique with a really interesting voice, but I’m not sure this was the best song choice.

Coaches Say: Blake says she made the song her own. Xtina is “a little married” to the original version of the song, and then she “um”s and “eh”s through the rest of her critique. Translation: she hated it. Adam loves that Melanie is an artist and he is proud of her.

------------------------------------

Contestant: Liz Davis

Team: Blake

Song: “Independence Day” by Martina McBride

I love this song, and I remember falling for it when Carrie Underwood sang it on American Idol so long ago. Liz tones down her normal spitfire image and concentrates on the vocals, and it pays off. I’m not 100% sold on the dress, but hey – this show is about the voice, right?

Coaches Say: Xtina loves Liz’s strong, solid voice and says Blake is a perfect coach for her. Cee-Lo says something but his hair gets in the way. Blake feels pressure because Liz is the only country artist left on the show, but he believes she is right where she should be.

---------------------------------------

Contestant: Cassadee Pope

Team: Blake

Song: “My Happy Ending” by Avril Lavigne

She sounds eerily like Avril when the song starts, but she takes some liberties as the song goes on which for the most part I enjoy. Cassadee has great energy and is a natural performer, but she has some work to do before she can become a rock star.

Coaches Say: Xtina likes the tone of her voice and is impressed by some of the high note she hit. Adam still doesn’t know who Cassadee is an artist. Mmmkay. Blake says Adam will have plenty of time to see who she is because she’ll be around for a while.

--------------------------------------

Contestant: Brian Keith

Team: Adam

Song: “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls

Brian has a very powerful voice, and he excels in each chorus of this song. His lower register is iffy at times (he almost sounds like he is speaking the verses), but he is a contender for sure. I can’t imagine Adam not putting him through if America's votes do not.

Coaches Say: Blake compares Brian’s lower register to Neil Diamond’s, but he warns him about it. Xtina feels that Brian owned the song. Adam says Brian has a very comforting way of performing, and once again he is proud.

---------------------------------

Contestant: Michaela Page

Team: Blake

Song: “Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees

I have to wonder what kind of hair products Michaela uses and whether she has to buy in bulk weekly or if she can get through the month without restocking her supply. For real. Regardless, she killllllllls this song from start to finish. She has so much fun on stage without losing her vocal awesomeness, and I am a huge fan of this performance. I may even prefer her rendition to the original. Can’t believe she is 16.

Coaches Say: It's very difficult to take Cee-Lo seriously (though I applaud his, um, creativity?), but he calls her performance the best of the night so far. I definitely agree.  Adam loves Michaela's attitude and energy and says the song choice was spot on. Blake tells Michaela she nailed every note and encourages America to vote for this girl.

----------------------------------

Contestant: Julio Cesar Castillo

Team: Blake

Song: “El Rey” by I have no idea

Mr. La Bamba takes the stage in hopes of staying true to his mariachi roots. I’m not going to lie – I know this is more of an “I’m singing in a restaurant” type song (and I am resisting the urge to find chips and salsa without delay), but I think this guy has an amazing, ridiculous voice. He could be singing about anything right now, and I wouldn't care. Tonight is the first night I’ve thought he deserved to be in the competition.

Coaches Say: Standing O. Xtina loves that Julio stayed true to himself, and she goes on and on about being Latino (because most things need to come back to Xtina).  Blake is honest in saying he had no idea what Julio was singing, but Julio drew him in anyway.

-------------------------------

Contestant: Loren Allred

Team: Adam

Song: “All Around the World” by Lisa Stansfield

I don’t have a lot to say about this because I was fighting like hell not to fall asleep. She is likable but absolutely Adam's weakest contestant.

Coaches Say: Cee-Lo loves the jazzy, sexy vibe of the performance.  Adam hearts her and wants to hear her upper register more. Pretty sure Cee-Lo just wants to see her upper register.

--------------------------------

Contestant: Amanda Brown
Team: Adam

Song: “Dream On” by Aerosmith

Gutsy. Very, very gutsy. No one is ever going to come close to Steven Tyler for me on this song. No one. BUT Amanda does an amazing job. She holds nothing back, and I am pleasantly surprised (shocked even) by her performance.
 

Coaches Say: Xtina says “get it, girl.” Thank you. Adam thanks Cee-Lo for letting her go so Adam could steal her. He calls her a rock star and says it was the best performance of the night.

-----------------------------------

So, the fate of Team Adam and Team Blake now lies in America's hands (sans the coaches ability to save one contestant). Round 2 of the live playoffs will feature Team Xtina and Team Cee-lo, who in my opinion has some pretty strong talent on his team. We'll see what happens when they take the stage - til then!