Monday, October 7, 2013

The Voice Recap: Xtina Needs Love Too

The Voice, Episode 4: "The Blind Auditions: Part 4"


Before we dive into your (semi) regularly scheduled The Voice recap, I think we have to say thanks to another Monday night reality show, Dancing With the Stars.  Why should we thank them? you ask.  Allow me to elaborate.  I'm not sure if you've noticed the absence of Christina Milian.  She had the most worthless job in all of television.  She was The Voice's social media correspondent.  She used to stand in that rotunda and awkwardly interview the contestants and their families and read Twitter comments.  If I wanted to hear what people on Twitter were saying, I'd go on Twitter.  Go away Milian.  Well, all you Milian haters out there (and I know I am not the only one), we all can thank the other big Monday night reality show for casting her.  I'm not sure if she'll be back in the winter, but let's all just be thankful we won't have to deal with her inane banter.  Now, let's look at the second to last episode of the blind auditions.


Will Champlin, 30, like a lot of contestants, comes from a musical family.  His dad was in Windy City super group, Chicago.  Will sang a Gavin DeGraw song I'm not familiar with called "Not Over You."  One good thing about Will is that he definitely knows his voice and the song fit him like a glove.  I really enjoyed his voice.  It wasn't super distinctive, but it was reliable.  You know that if he made it to the live shows that Will could be counted on to bring a strong vocal every week.  He sort of reminds you of Tony Lucca so he's a perfect fit for Team Adam.

29-year-old cruise ship singer, Stephanie Anne Johnson, brought this seasons hottest audition accesory with her: an adorable grandma that I want to steal and make my own.  Stephanie rocked KT Tunstall's "Big Black Horse and the Cherry Tree."  Her voice was not what I expected.  I was betting on a big, brassy soulful voice, but it was much jazzier than I imagined it would be and I loved it.  So, did Cee Lo and Xtina, but it was Team Xtina that scored a new member.

Sam Cerniglia, 25, was about as bland as a butter sandwich or Michael Bublé who he sounded just like, if Michael sounded like he had just ran a marathon when he went for his low notes.  Blake and Cee Lo both enjoyed his lounge singer take on "It's a Beautiful Day."  I sort of understood Blake, since he is Michael's butt buddy, but I'm not sure why Cee Lo did.  It doesn't matter because Sam went to Team Blake.

James Irwin, 31, is back again after tanking it in last seasons blinds.  James decided to sing "Losing My Religion."  It started off strong, and all four judges were quick to turn around.  After they did, the performance kind of fell apart.  I'm all for taking risks with the melody, but James was taking the wrong risks.  I was wondering if the judges were wishing they had a take back button.  When he started going for the high notes it veered wildly off pitcy and into shrieky territory.  It doesn't matter, because the judges claimed to love it.  Team Adam scooped up their second member.

I was over Olivia Henken, 25, from the moment that she said the word "momager."  The overly blonde Barbie doll looked like she was produced in a country music singer factory.  Her rendition of "Two Black Cadillacs" was just OK, but she still managed to make it onto Team Xtina.

R. Anthony, 33, fell victim to a horrible song choice.  Seriously, dude?  "Hall of Fame" by The Script.  That is not the song that you choose to showcase your vocal.  The whole performance sort of stayed at one level the whole time.  It didn't really go anywhere.  R. still got turns from Cee Lo and Xtina and ended up on Team Cee Lo.

We got snippets of three contestants: Keaira Lashae joined Team Cee Lo, Amber Nicole joined Team Xtina, and Emily Randolph joined Team Blake.

When 23-year-old Justin Chan walked onto the stage in his plaid shirt and gee-tar you knew that he was destined for Team Blake.  His rendition of Jason Aldean's "She's Country" was pretty stellar even if he did color inside the lines a little too much.

Grabbig the episodes pimp slot was 23-year-old single mom, Ashley Dubose.  Her rendition of Rihanna's hit "Diamonds" was so stellar that someone should call the police and file a report, because the song has been stolen and it now officially belongs to Ashley.  It wasn't perfect, there were som Ri Ri tics that Ashley picked up, but it was definitely the performance of the night.

So, four down, one to go.  Now, I turn it over to you.  Who was your favorite?  Anyone who got the shaft?

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