The Voice: Battle Round 3

The Battle Rounds continue with 12 more singers. 6 will stay for the live shows, and 6 will go home.

First up from Team Adam are Pip and Nathan Parrett. Pip had all 4 coaches turn around, and Nathan is a fresh face for the viewers, as his blind audition was only shown in snippet form. Adam selected Amy Winehouse’s You Know I’m No Good for their battle. Pip was mentored by Alanis Morissette, who advised him to keep it simple and not to oversing. Restraint is exciting, you know. Former swimmer Nathan was paired with mentor Robin Thicke, who told him he had to be confident (and keep his hands out of his pockets!)

Blake thought the performances were good, and that Nathan voice is big, strong, powerful and clear. He thought Pip could do anything, and picked Pip. Xtina thought Pip had a Broadway stage presence, and that Nathan’s voice commanded attention. Cee Lo found Nathan to be effortless and cool, but said that Pip did a solid job. He went with underdog Nathan. Adam said that Pip was a natural performer, and that Nathan took him by surprise. He was proud of both. Winner: Pip. (Yep, I agree).

Team Cee Lo paired Erin Martin and The Shields Brothers. What?  Seriously? To top it all off, Cee Lo chose Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got to Do With It. Alrightly then. The Shields Brothers (Rory and Tristan) are loud and brash, and Erin has and ‘interesting’ vocal style. The Shields Brothers were paired with Babyface, who said that it felt like Wayne’s World. (I thought Beavis and Butthead). He advised them to pull back and show some vulnerability, and  was impressed when they listened and harmonized. Ne-Yo mentored Erin, and said that her emotional level wasn’t believable. The memorable line, though, has to be, “I see you. You’re cute. What else you got? There’s a lot of ‘cute’ in the world.” I love you Ne-Yo!

Dominatrix Erin was pitchy, even with her strange voice and phrasing, complete with cat-like yowling. The brothers were loud. Was this a match? Or a mash-up? Or a train wreck? Adam kept saying how weird it was, and laughed as he called Erin’s approach unique, uncomfortable and out there. He said that the Shields Brothers made him feel like he was in a garage, and that it was rad. Blake liked Erin’s outfit, and voted for her based on the outfit. Xtina loved it, and said it was entertainment. She said it was a bad song for Erin and went with the Shields Brothers. Cee Lo said it was wonderfully strange, bizarre, peculiar (and a bunch more adjectives). He said that the Shields brothers were in danger of falling into the same shtick, and that Erin has the most prospects. Winner: Erin. (I wanted them all to go home. My ears are still bleeding).

Team Christina offered up Ashley De La Rosa and Jonathas, singing No Air by Jordan Sparks and Chris Brown. Ashley said she was scared of the big notes. We didn’t see her blind audition either. Jonathas has more stage experience, but falls into the Usher/Chris Brown trap. Lionel Richie mentored Jonathas, and advised that he needs to find ways to make the songs his own. He also said that he couldn’t break character during the song, and to remember that the other person is there. Jewel mentored Ashley, and said that she has the capability of being stronger and needs to be more extroverted, letting herself shine.

Cee Lo thought it was nicely staged and choreographed, but said that Ashley stretched more with her range. He picked Ashley. Adam said they seemed comfortable on stage, and had chemistry, He went with Ashley as well. Blake said that he had thought Jonathas at first, but that his voice stayed in one place. He thought Ashley made more of an effort. Xtina found them both to be youthful and fun,  and that she has seen Ashley grow. Jonathas is a solid performer. Winner: Ashley (I agree). Xtina loves the ones she can mold.

Team Blake paired ALyX and Jermaine Paul to sing Billy Ocean’s Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car. They were both kinda serious and needed to cut loose and have fun. This is the first we’re seeing of ALyX, since she was also a snippet during the Blind Auditions. ALyX was paired with Blake’s wife, Miranda Lambert. (Yes, he introduces her as his wife every single time). Miranda said it was hard to give up control, but she needed to let go and let loose. Kelly Clarkson worked with Jermaine, who remarked that his stage presence was due to being a back-up singer (for Alicia Keys). She warned him not to underestimate ALyX.

Xtina thought that Jermaine made the song his own and brought energy, showcasing himself. Cee Lo though Jermaine was a wonderful singer. Adam said he took the song and kicked its a@@. That’s right. They only commented on Jermaine. Blake said they both did what he asked, and both had confidence. He said Jermaine had fun. Winner: Jermaine (Without a doubt!)

Team Adam returns with Angel Taylor and Katrina Parker singing Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis. He said  they needed to convey the vulnerability of the song, and not to embellish too much. Angel worked with Robin Thicke, who said that she gets pitchy when she gets too big. He said she needed to physically feel the song. Alanis Morissette worked with Katrina, and said that she was smart and funny. She said that the boat she was in was safe, and that it was OK to be nervous.

Katrina has a great tone, and started strong. Angel looked terrified and in pain. Just my opinion. Blake thought the break in Angel’s voice was really cool, but that Katrina flat-out won. Xtina thought that Katrina was a multi-dimensional singer, and that Angel has a unique voice. Cee Lo said that Angel came alive, but that her body language seemed uncomfortable. He said that Katrina owned it. Adam said that he had a tough choice, and that Katrina had command and power, while Angel was unique. Winner: Katrina (Um, YEAH!).

Closing out the Battle Round was Team Blake, with country singer Gwen Sebastian and Erin Willett singing Pat Benatar’s We Belong. They were both advised to tap into the emotion. Gwen was paired with Miranda Lambert (Blake Shelton’s wife), who said she was intense and real. Erin worked with Kelly Clarkson, who told her she needed to know when to have her moment and wail. She said she needed to show the sweetness in her voice.  Erin had gotten the news that her dad was not doing well in his battle with pancreatic cancer, but decided to stay and dedicate her performance to him. (He passed away, and the show was in his memory).

They performed a great duet, and Gwen showed cross-over appeal, while Erin displayed her powerful voice. Xtina thought they had very different voices, and that Erin was consistent. She stylistically preferred Erin. Cee Lo also remarked how different they were from each other, but that Gwen’s last note sold him. Adam liked the richness and warmth to Erin’s voice, saying both were great, but went with Erin. Blake agreed that they were different stylistically, and that Gwen took chances while Erin played it safe. Winner: Erin. (Yep).

Next week brings the final Battle Round.