And it’s finally baaaack!
Like many people, I thought The Voice was just another American Idol dupe. And like many people, I ended up eating my words, because The Voice totally rocked. 😀
The Voice Format
I liked the concept of the “blind audition” — the singers are judged only by the quality of their voices. The coaches have their backs turned away from the stage and if a coach likes what he hears, he pushes the “I want you” button that turns his chair around to face the stage. If more than one coach turns around, the singer gets to choose his coach. Each coach has 12 slots to fill.
Just like in the first season, the coaches remain the same:
Adam Levine (Maroon 5)
Cee Lo Green
Christina Aguilera
Blake Shelton
The Voice calls them “the four of the biggest stars on the planet” — whether you agree with that is totally up to you 😛
After the blind auditions, each coach will choose which artists to pitch head-to-head in the Battle Rounds. Those that will succeed in the Battle Rounds will duke it out in the Live Shows, — until the final voice is chosen.
Season 2 so far
Two nights of the blind auditions have been aired so far (thank you for not delaying this, AXN Asia!) and here are the artists that made it:
Team Adam
– Tony Lucca (Trouble)
– Kim Yarbrough (Tell Me Something Good)
– Angel Taylor (Someone Like You)
I thought the name Tony Lucca was familiar. Turns out, he was a former member of the Mickey Mouse Club, just like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. Hekhek. Funny how Xtina didn’t even recognize who he was, until much later (when a staff probably tipped her off). But he was very good and I thought Adam would make something really great out of him.
Looks like Adam is going out of his comfort zone. Kim seemed like a better fit for Team Xtina (she kinda reminds me of Frenchie Davis), but Adam did win in the first season so he could do wonders for the already wonderful Kim Yarbrough. And Angel Taylor! Wow, that performance of Adele’s song was really something. I got goosebumps listening to her.
Angel Taylor – Someone Like You (Adele) – the studio version of her blind audition
Team Cee Lo
– Juliet Simms (Oh Darlin’)
– Jamar Rogers (Seven Nation Army)
– Angie Johnson (Heartbreaker)
I think this team is the strongest so far. Juliet Simms and Oh Darlin’? I thought I was going to hate it — just like every other singer who tries to do a cover of a Beatles song. But she totally rocked it, Sir Paul must be so proud! Jamar has got a cool voice, kinda reminds me of Javier. He is perfect for Cee Lo. Angie, wow, what can I say. I am an instant fan. I know she will go far in the competition. I am currently watching all of her videos on Youtube (performances when she was still serving as staff sergeant in the Middle East).
Angie Johnson and Sidewinder – Rollin in the Deep (Adele) – Not Angie’s blind audition performance, obviously. But this is what made her an internet sensation. And rightly so!
Team Xtina
– Jesse Campbell (A Song For You)
– Chris Mann (Because We Believe)
– The Line (American Girl)
– Lindsey Pavao (Say Aah)
A very strong lineup, I must say. I am quite surprised by Christina’s choices early in the competition. Last season, she went for artists who had the same strong belting style as her. Think Frenchie Davis, Lily Elise, Raquel Castro and Beverly McClellan. And only picked one male (Justine Grennan) who lost to Beverly in the Battle Rounds. Now Team Xtina’s already got two. ^_^
Jesse turned the chairs of all four coaches and I initially wished he’d choose Cee Lo. Let’s see how he will bloom under Xtina’s tutelage. Chris Mann — this guy is awesome. Another surprise choice by Xtina, an opera singer! The Line has some serious chemistry going and their voice really sounded great together.
I am particularly intrigued by Lindsey Pavao. What a very unique and cool voice she has. I am pretty sure she will go far in the competition. One of my early favourites, definitely.
Lindsey Pavao – Say Ahh (Trey Songz) – studio version of Lindsey’s blind audition
Team Blake
– RaeLynn (Hell on Heels)
– Gwen Sebastian (Stay)
– Jermaine Paul (Complicated)
I am not a big fan of country music (but I think Blake Shelton is so hot) so I cannot comment much about RaeLynn and Gwen. No surprises that Blake picked them for his team. But what surprised me was when Jermaine (aka Mr. Backup Vocals for Alicia Keys) chose Blake over Cee Lo. Not a fan of Avril Lavigne but Jermaine’s version of “Complicated” was really cool. Started out RnB-ish then escalated to rock-ish. You can tell he’s got a fairly wide range in his voice.
That is the competition so far. We have a long way to go for the blind auditions. My Wednesday nights are alive once again — thank you, The Voice!
Angie Johnson, Brian Owens and Sidewinder – Forget You (Cee Lo Green) – Sgt. Brian Owens is not on The Voice but I’m posting this just because I think he is awesome ^_^
