The Voice: Back To The Knock Outs

By Erica

It is cold season dammit, and I think I am getting one.   You all might be telling me I’m a little insane, just in case my ears are plugged up more than I realize.

COACHES

Kelly Clarkson is going to be good as a coach next season, VERY good.  But if you are reading this and are someone who ends up on her team you will need to GET OVER the fact that she is the Chosen One, the first modern Slayer in these modern competitions. She is amazing and clearly knows her craft, but judging by the artists’ and Jennifer’s reactions to her this season they need to get over the fangirling so they can get. to. WORK.

Last year I got the feeling that Adam sometimes got frustrated by or didn’t quite like Miley.  I can’t put my finger on it and I tended to ignore a lot of the gossip blogs that tend to be full of bullshit (who tried to make a bigger thing about it).   But tonight, I loved the interaction between Miley and Adam, and it felt easier than the last time we saw them together..  You know I love me some Adam and Blake, but have a HUGE soft spot for Miley.  I’m thinking that Adam is developing one as well.  (Blake was NEVER going to be completely against her, nor was he ignorant of her talent and knowledge, just because of those country/Nashville ties.)    

Tonight, there was some love and some teasing that makes me feel that the admiration between Adam and Miley is becoming more mutual.  Musically speaking, Miley could very well be the bridge between Adam and Blake.  Tonight, when Miley joked about her nervous sweat over choosing who goes home, Adam easily slipped into the “straight” comedic roll by comically sniffing out her flop sweat.  It sounds terrible here, but honest, it was great on the show..     

But the moment that brought me to tears (NON PMS TEARS PEOPLE) was when Miley was sending Stephen home and more rightfully belongs in the ARTIST portion of my blog.  

THE ARTISTS

Most of the individuals tonight were more “amateur” level, where I wasn’t upset at who went home even when they were very enjoyable.  Even the first pairing, where Stephan was my guy who flubbed up in his blinds, only to keep going, and was picked by Jennifer.  He was stolen by Miley in the Battles.  I LOVE this guy for his perseverance and his STAGE PRESENCE. His improvement with both Coach Jennifer and Coach Miley was obvious, and a joy to watch for me.  He is the reason why I keep watching, even when my faves get the boot.  I wanted him to stay, “just because” and so I could see how he improves knowing full well he won’t win in the end.  However, Brooke Simpson simply kicked his ass.  She CAN possibly win this show.

But, in the “why Erica adores this show over shows like American Idol” moment of the week, everyone acknowledged that Stephan has “it”. Then Miley acknowledged how Stephan’s journey was similar to hers in that his voice was powerful enough to “overpower mistakes” and how she has lived her life by the idea she’s made mistakes “but I can sing”. I thought it so sweet that at that moment, Adam clapped and went over, grabbed her face, and gave Miley a kiss on the cheek.  Stephan went home, but honestly his was the only one tonight that made me wonder if it was showed out of order so no steals were left. I know Jennifer was feeling his performance!  

In the mix tonight was also Blake’s Keisha Renee vs. Kathrina Feigh.  If I hadn’t already been a huge fan of Keisha, tonight would have converted me.  Instead, I am simply saying that Team Blake should NOT be counted out because this powerhouse is still in the house.  Kathrina didn’t win her Battle Rounds, and there is still a nasally quality to her voice – perhaps it was more of an accent bleed through – that made me agree with Blake in deciding to go with Keisha.  Kathrina may be the ONLY one tonight that made me think “oh, I think all the steals were gone and editing makes us think she had a chance.”   I couldn’t argue with the rest of the performances and who went home with no save.  I was very disappointed that we only got a brief taste of Jon Mero’s performance tonight, but I am happy to see he’s on to the lives.  I think he is still one to keep an eye on for the finale.

It was the last Knock Out that was elevated and made me weak in the knees.   Adam paired Emily Luther and Adam Pearce.  We only saw Emily in the Blinds, as her Knock Out was one we only saw briefly.  I had a difficult time with Emily, as her visual was so strongly “anti-artist”. This was a deeply personal impression for me as her hair and clothing made me think of a female accountant I once knew!!!  Not exactly the look a female singing artist wants to make.  Then Adam!  Adam makes me want to ROCK OUT.  A local pizzeria used to have a dish called Smoke on the Water that I loved to eat. Adam reminded me that it was first a fantastic song.

Then came little accountant, business woman Emily.  I was still skeptical and judging on that initial impression of her appearance.  I don’t recall anyone ever doing a Pink song on this show, let alone Glitter in the Air. If you want to know why artist should think not twice but 10 times before doing this one, Google Pink Grammys Glitter in the Air and come back to me.  

Emily nailed it. I suddenly wanted her to continue with the rest of the song. I wanted her to dip herself in glitter. I wanted Pink to come out and join her like it was the damn finale.  Bring your calculator if you have one, Emily, JUST KEEP SINGING!!!

I do love Miley for being brutally honest about both Emily and Adam’s performances afterward.  She talked about Adam’s performance that made me think, shit… he’s going home.  She clearly gave the reasons why Adam picked Emily and yet, Miley still gave our rock and roll boy Adam Pearce another chance.  Adam WILL benefit from the bigger production value of the Lives!

Tomorrow we have just one more hour of the KOs, with Jennifer the lone coach with a steal.  I suspect we’ll have some great performances.