The Voice – The live rounds continue….

We got some very interesting bookends making up this week’s The Voice telecast. Those bookends? Why, nothing less than the results of last week’s performances from Team Christina and Team Blake. So we’re off and running.

Mr. Personality Carson Daly announces that the “saved” contestant from Christina’s team is none other than Beverley McClellan, which doesn’t surprise me in the least. But the drama comes to town when it’s left to Christina to choose one of the remaining girls on her team to advance, leaving the other two taking a hike. After some niceties to all, Christina blubbered and chose the “powerhouse” voice of Frenchie Davis she loves so much. Raquel Castro and Lily Elise are history. “The Baldies” come through, but I’m still digging my heels in the sand and stating Frenchie  is not The Voice.

At the last we’ll see what surprises, if any, are in store for Team Blake and his crew, but in the meantime we start off with The Thompson Sisters. Their duet on “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” left them unable to escape the trappings of the stage production and supporting dancers, leaving it a cutesy mess. We’re sure to be seeing them hit the road next week.

Following behind, Casey Weston‘s “Black Horse In The Cherry Tree” wasn’t fantastic by any stretch of the imagination. It just was … and that was it. Adequate and unremarkable. But for a performance on a show called The Voice, adequate doesn’t cut it. “I always wondered what The Blue Man Group looked like without their stuff on,” Blake pointed out about the 5 gallon bucket brigade backing Casey up on the song.

And then two promising rehearsal segments concluded with interesting results. First, Vicci Martinez’ “Jolene.” Her rehearsals sounded as if there was going to be a winner emerging out of this one, but Vicci was scratchy, and strainy, and desperate when it came crunch time. Then there was Devon Barley’s take on One Republic’s “Stop And Stare.” Cripes and cripes. He was the epitome of restraint and uncomfortableness on that stage. I’m of the mind someone closed his throat just prior to him performing because there wasn’t anything coming out of it worth listening to.

The kicker in all this, however? The coaches. Each and every one of them proffered flowery, positive comments without an ounce of criticism. This leaves me floundering and shaking my head once again. Praise is good and expected when deserved, but certainly wasn’t warranted in Devon’s case.

A break in the frustration came in the form of Cee Lo’s team taking the stage for “Everyday People.” Someone (my little buddy Carson?) concluded it was “awesome.” Really? Where? When? How was it awesome? Did I miss the awesomeness of the performance? Did I blink when the awesomeness manifested itself? Clearly I understand a completely different definition of “awesome” than Cee Lo’s team committed on the tune. I would use the words “protracted” and “lethargic” to describe it, but not awesome.

Then, Holy McMoley! Nakia! Girls with fire sticks! “Sex On Fire” … !!! Nakia forcefully landing on his knees … and his knees not giving way! Spectacle to shake up the proceedings! It wasn’t Nakia at his best, but it was the best interpretation of a song up to that point.

Jeff Jenkins does “Jesus Take The Wheel.” *yawn* Many times, a song can move you with its sincerity and emotion. Jeff’s take on this one, however, just left me wanting to move along.

I know my friend Brittany was swooning uncontrollably when coach Adam and Company did “With A Little Help From My Friends,” but, seriously, they needed help. The *blech* of their representation of it was extra blechy. And I think I’m being kind in that assessment.

Then came good ‘ole Curtis Grimes and “Addicted To Love.” I have three words: Worst. Version. Ever. Think I’m kidding? Take a gander:

*ugh* I’m glad there wasn’t a screwdriver around or it would have gone in my ear. Truth speakin’.

So … the last contestant of the evening: Please … Javier Colon? Can you and your skewed hat save me from Curtis’ travesty? I promise to get into your performance (while closing my eyes so I don’t grumble about your cockeyed cap) if you would just do well. Please? Pretty please?

The result? Javier granted my wish with Sarah McLachlan’s “Angel.” Dude can certainly belt out a tune, I will admit. Best placed song of the night, best choice of a song for the night.

Hokay … that final bookend, Team Blake’s winners and losers. The voters chose Dia Frampton to soldier on with her Kanye interpretation of the previous week still fresh in their minds. But then the jaw dropper occurred: Blake selected wee Xenia over the much, much strong Jared Blake and the so-so Patrick Thomas. Now, while I enjoy Xenia’s vocal interpretations, I’m not blind to the fact there is little (and I mean little as in nonexistent) chance she can take on the likes of any other contestant saved to this point. And, much as I’ve come to enjoy Blake’s take on things, his choice was based — in my opinion — on emotion rather than common sense.

And that will make it all the more difficult when fragile little Xenia gets eliminated next time.

Clacked by Michael Noble
on Jun 15, 2011 @ 15:00 EST5EDT