The Voice is back and the search is on to find the best vocal talent in America. This season features the return of Christina Aguilera and Pharrell Williams along with Blake Shelton and Adam Levine.
Image courtesy of Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com
This round of the competition features the battle rounds, which take place following the blind auditions. At this point, the teams are competing against each other for a spot to advance in the competition. Two artists from each team will sing the same song as a duet and it will be up to the coach to decide who advances. This round also features the “steal” element. Each coach will have the chance to steal an artist that is eliminated.
These rounds also feature celebrity mentors that come together to help out each of the coaches. This season Blake Shelton is working with “All About That Bass” singer Meghan Trainor. Team Christina will be working with Nick Jonas, Adam Levine has brought on board Ellie Goulding and rounding out the celebrity mentors is music legend, Lionel Richie.
Next week will feature the knockout rounds. Each team member performs a song against another member of their same team; in the end the coaches will decide who advances. They will not be alone though, Nate Ruess from Fun. joins the Voice family as a mentor for all of the vocalists.
TheCelebrityCafe.com is counting down the top ten battle rounds from this week of The Voice. This week featured emotional performances and intense steals. Which team are you routing for this season? Comment below and add your thoughts about these battles below.
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10. Jacob Rummell vs. Corey Kent White-I Want Crazy
Jacob Rummell and Corey Kent White, representing Team Blake, took on a current county hit by Hunter Hayes “I Want Crazy.” Both vocalists brought their own unique sound to the country single and it took the performance in a more pop direction compared to country. The other coaches enjoyed the performance and said that overall it was upbeat and fun. After listening to input from the other coaches, Shelton advanced White to the knockout rounds. Jacob was quickly stolen by Team Pharrell.
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9. Kimberly Nichole vs. Lowell Oakley-Hound Dog
Kimberly Nichole took on Lowell Oakley in one of the most unique battles of the night. They took on the Elvis classic “Hound Dog” and made it an R&B rock mash up that sounded like a completely new song. Both artists represented Team Pharrell and it is no surprise that Pharrell had the creative vision to pair these two with such an interesting song choice. Both vocalists stepped up and delivered a performance that was not only memorable but showed off their incredible vocal ranges and natural grit. The decision was left up to Pharrell and he got up out of his chair and started to pace because of how hard this decision was. In the end, and after much deliberation, Oakley advanced for Team Pharrell and Team Christina quickly stole Nichole.
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8. Koryn Hawthrone vs. Vance Smith- Love Me Harder
Koryn Hawthrone and Vance Smith, both representing Team Christina took to the stage to perform “Love Me Harder” and both came out swinging and wanted to prove that they had the vocal range and passion to stay in this competition. Coach Christina explained that because Hawthrone really took her performance to the next level, she had to give the battle to her and advance her to the knockout rounds.
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7. India Carney vs. Clinton Washington-Stay
In an emotional battle from Team Christina, India Carney and Clinton Washington performed “Stay” by Rihanna. The two matched each other vocally and delivered one of the most honest performances of the night. Coach Christina was left with a hard decision and chose to advance India Carney to the next round of competition but before Washington could even say goodbye Team Adam stole him.
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6. Brenna Yaeger vs. Kelsie May-Fancy
Brenna Yaeger and Kelsie May, from Team Blake, took on a country classic when they battled “Fancy.” Both of these ladies took on the classic song and infused their own style into it. Both proved that they have a strong country vocal range. All of the coaches said that they didn’t envy Shelton’s decision and he said that both ladies did a great job but he moved forward Kelsie May.
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5. Katelyn Read vs. Treeva Gibson-Addicted to Love
Katelyn Read and Treeva Gibson took on “Addicted to Love” for a spot on Team Christina. The two ladies put a soulful and pop spin on this classic and they brought their own unique vocal sound to the battle. It seems as though the ladies were pushing each other vocally to rise to the occasion. Aguilera was torn but finally decided on moving Gibson through to the knockout rounds.
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4. Barry Minniefield vs. Jack Gregori- Feelin’ Alright
Team Adam paired together Barry Minniefield and Jack Gregori in a battle that would not soon be forgotten. Soul met country music and the result was an amazing and unique battle. These two complimented each other in a way that highlighted both of their vocal talent. The decision was left to Coach Adam and he moved forward Minniefield to the knockout rounds.
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3. Sawyer Fredericks vs. Noelle Bydee-Have You Ever Seen The Rain
Sawyer Fredericks and Noelle Bydee took on the most indie and subtle song of the night representing Team Pharrell as they performed “Have You Ever Seen The Rain.” The performance was amazing because it felt natural and transported the audience back to a different musical age. Vocally, the two complimented each other and brought out the best in the other. The two could become a musical group if this show doesn’t work out. In the end, Fredericks advanced to the next round of competition with Team Pharrell.
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2. Jeremy Gaynor vs. Rob Taylor- Animals
It’s nerve wracking to perform one of the coaches’ own singles but Jeremy Gaynor and Rob Taylor of Team Christina took on “Animals” by Maroon 5. The two transformed this single into something that was new and had a rock feel to it. Both vocalists showed off their range and stage presence with this performance. Coach Adam had to mention that the song selection was perfect. After much deliberation, Rob Taylor advanced to the knockout rounds to represent Team Christina.
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1. Briar Jonnee vs. Caitlin Caporale-Fallin’
Briar Jonnee and Caitlin Caporale representing Team Pharrell, took one of the hardest songs vocally to perform, Fallin’ by Alicia Keys. These two ladies left everything they had on the stage and took on this vocal challenge with heart and passion. After a long decision, Caporale advanced to the next round of competition with Team Pharrell.