Welcome folks to my 80th post on OCTV! It’s hard to imagine why SB has kept me around for this long. I don’t think it’s my number of hits, though I did hit it big with an X Factor video search for this guy, or particular brand of snark. It must be my willingness to do the reality shows no one else wants, hee! Enough of this, lets get to THE VOICE.

Randi, in the comments from last week, pointed out that this phase of the show seems to be dragging. I’m finding it hard to remember any of these singers from the Blind Auditions and am forgetting the ones that have won. Hopefully some of the artists tonight can get us all excited again.

TEAM ADAM– Pip VS  Nathan Parrett  ”You Know I’m No Good”

He of the the stupid name versus the gay parrot. (Seriously that’s the only way I could remember him. Oh, and Mr. Parrett, not cool shunning your very sweet, very cute son. NOT COOL!) Their voices seem to go together well. Pip is the clear favorite and he gets to hang with Alanis. He has to lose the theater-ness. Robin Thicke gives his best advice yet to Nathan. He is the nervous one with zero stage presence. From rehearsals Adam sees a lot of improvement from Nathan and it’s all even, um kay. Poor Nathan is so nervous he’s shaking. It’s almost like he’s afraid of his own voice. Pip handles the stage with ease. They both sounded good, but Pip sang Nathan under the table. Now if he could just get rid of that stupid name. They act like it was a tough choice, but Adam obviously chooses Pip.

TEAM CEE LO– The Shields Brothers! VS Erin Martin “What’s Love Got to Do with It”

Way to use your ASSets!

Who does this girl think she is? Telling Cee Lo how to arrange a song? She is visibly cringing when the boys sing. I really don’t like her. Babyface thought Wayne’s World during his one on one with The Shields Brothers. They needed to pull back. Ne-Yo doesn’t believe the words coming out of Erin’s mouth. He really calls her out on her shit. You can’t just think your cuteness is going to get you though. Erin is extremely confident. I kinda want to punch her in the face. Oh, and she looks like a Gaga reject. She is awful. She can’t really sing and this song is showing it. She needs to take lessons or something. It was like two separate concerts going on at the same time where they took turns singing and one really sucked. The guys brought it down a notch or ten and sounded great to me. He’s going to pick the hot girl. Let’s be real. Another awful person gets ahead in life because they’re pretty. Ugh. Oh, yeah Erin Martin. Whatever.

TEAM CHRISTINA– Ashley De La Rosa VS Jonathas “No Air”

I don’t think we saw Ashley’s audition and Jonathas is the white boy who sounds like Usher. Jonathas is super excited to have Lion-al mentor him. He gets sucked in by Christina’s deep blue eyes and leather skin. Ashley is super intimidated by Jonathas and Jewel tries to give her some confidence. In the battle Ashley looks really cute. Jonathas should have kept his tats covered. They look like a three year old with a sharpie designed them. The duet seemed really flat. They didn’t sound good together and their harmonies were wack. I think the song was above their ability. All the judges were talking about their stage presence and choreography. They really didn’t mention the singing. Christina picks Ashley De La Rosa. 

TEAM BLAKE– ALyX VS Jermaine Paul “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car”

Blake wants to see fun. No more seriousness. ALyX would wear me out. Miranda calls her guarded. I’d call it insecure. “I don’t think she’s ever had fun.” Ha! I knew I like Miranda. It’s obvious from the contrived name that ALyX is here to be famous. It’s hard to just let go when you’ve calculated your whole persona. Jermaine gets to sing for Kelly Clarkson. After she hears his voice she wants him to come sing with her on tour. He informs her he is done being a background singer…in a nice way. They all recognize ALyX will do whatever it takes to win. Jermaine was having a good time and playing to the crowd. ALyX was doing a lot of head flicks. That little spoken line at the end was dumb and again, contrived. All the other judges talked all about Jermaine. Blake though ALyX should get some credit. Amazingly he makes the right choice and goes with Jermaine Paul.

TEAM ADAM– Angel Taylor VS Katrina Parker “Bleeding Love”

Battle of the sob stories. Which is worse: abuse or black mold? I’m thinking abuse has more of a lasting effect. I guess we’ll find out in this battle.  Adam is looking for razzle dazzle, but still wants to hear the vulnerability of the song. Robin Thicke seems to screw up Angel’s singing more than help while mentoring her. She is having some trouble with the high notes in the chorus. Katrina is chilling with Alanis. Adam thinks she sounds awesome. Angel is the underdog coming out of the rehearsals. Was is just me or did Angel look weirdly uncomfortable on stage? I don’t know if it was the dress and the way she was standing in it like a linebacker or the fact she was in flats. She needed heels on. Outfits aside, the singing was not great to start, but she got better as the song went on. Katrina was more consistent. Christina said she had an Adele-ness about her. Adam really struggles with his decision but ultimately chooses Katrina Parker.

TEAM BLAKE– Gwen Sebastian VS Erin Willett “We Belong”

These girls sound great together. Gwen gets to sing for the ultimate country girl, Miranda. Gwen’s connection to the audience will be her major strength. Erin is excited to have Kelly work with her. Kelly encourages her to use the breaks in her voice to her advantage. Erin’s Dad is literally on his death bed. He told her to stay and follow her dream, but she is conflicted. How in the world can Blake choose Gwen now? The girl is staying instead of being at her father’s side. Once again they sound great and have fabulous harmonies. Erin’s first verse is a bit too soft, but I love her tone. It’s unique. Cee Lo enjoyed her last little note choice, I guess is how you’d say it. Blake recognized Gwen was taking chances and really going for it. He said Erin played it safe. He still picks the girl who’s dad is dying, Erin Willett. And we get a In Memory of Chuck Willett. Damn see what I mean? Poor Gwen was never going to win. I do feel sorry for Erin’s loss, don’t get me wrong.

For those keeping track at home:

TEAM CHRISTINA  Chris Mann, Jesse Campbell, Sera Hill,

Lindsey Pavao, Ashley De La Rosa, _________

TEAM BLAKE   Raelynn, Jordis, Charlotte Sometimes,

Jermaine Paul, Erin Willett, _________

TEAM CEE LO  Cheesa, Juliet Simms, Jamar Rogers,

Erin Martin, _________, __________

TEAM ADAM   Tony Lucca, Kim Yarbrough, Pip,

Katrina Parker, _________, __________

So, faithful watchers of The Voice, did the judges get it right this week? Should Pip change his name before America revolts? Did Gwen stand a chance at all? Would you have chosen The Shields Bros? Give me your professional opinion in the COMMENTS!