The battle rounds wound up Tuesday on “The Voice,” and it would seem that each team has their teams with which to go forward.
But instead of sticking with the dozen in each squad, there is opportunity one further steal for each team for the first time in the knockout rounds, where losers won’t actually be knocked out, but eligible for another save.
That will serve, of course, to only make the season run even longer (Which is fine with NBC because this is their only hit other than football).
The final hour of battles Tuesday put the spotlight on three pairs of singers, while it truncated three other pairings so severely, we barely learned who won and will continue in the competition.
That two of the three truncated battles were from Team Blake meant that we got to hear the least from the biggest name among the celebrity helpers, Cher.
There was a certain lack of suspense in the episode. There was only one slot left for a steal – and it was Cee-Lo’s to take. So it was obvious that he’d choose one of them, especially when it got to the final battle.
But it was the first pair to battle in the episode actually lived up to the tiresome wartime phraseology.
Here’s how the final battles went down:
Military Dudes
Jonny Gray vs Shawn Smith
Team Cee-Lo
Song: “Refugee” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
In what looked like a duet of Kid Rock and Meat Loaf, the Army guy and Air Force dude didn’t do that all that much with the song. It was all they could do to keep its timing. As for the winner Adam Levine leaned to Jonny; Blake Shelton went for Shawn, Christina Aguilera said she regrets she didn’t pick Jonny for her own team. And team leader and decider Cee-Lo Green said Jonny was more clear and “cut through.”
Winner: Jonny. Nobody said it, but he also had the hair.
No save for Shawn.
Chin Fuzz Brothers
Barry Black vs. Preston Pohl
Team Adam
Song: “I Wish It would Rain,” The Temptations
Wit similar porkpie hats, chin fuzz and glasses, the two almost like look like twins though Barry is from American Samoa; Preston from closer to Austin. Barry has a better falsetto and the secret weapon of a mouth horn, a gimmick that can get tiresome. But Preston has a commanding soul rasp. Adam said it was no contest for him.
Winner: Preston.
No save for Barry.
Wispiness vs. Power
Holly Henry vs. Cilla Chan
Team Blake
Song: “Torn” by Natalie Imbruglia.
In the first of the three truncated battles briefly shown, “alternative songwriter” Holly is breathier and wispier than more traditional belter Cilla. Cher’s main comment befits a grandma: She wants Holly’s hair out of her eyes. Blake tends to like these alternative waif types. But we hardly hear much of his explanation, except to say he needed to figure out which of the two was “real going to rise up.”
Winner: Holly.
No save for Cilla.
Country Showdown
Emily Randolph vs. Brandon Chase
Team Blake
Song: “TIny Dancer” by Elton John
The 15-year-old farmgirl Emily sounded stronger, more clear and assured than 20 year old country singer Brandon in the second of the “also-ran” montage, but Blake said he was picking “who was more developed as a singer.” Well he did have five years on the girl.
Winner: Brandon.
No save for Emily.
R&B Diva-Off
Tamara Chauniece vs. Keaira LaShae
Team Cee-Lo
Song: “Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)” by Fergie
In the battle between the short-shorned former gospel singer and the 30-year-old fitness instructor, there was absolutely no indication why one won over another (the seconds-long snipped of their performance didn’t help either). Still:
Winner: Tamara
No save for Keaira
Sass Masters
Olivia Henken vs. Stephanie Anne Johnson
Team Christina
Song: “Done” by The Band Perry
Country singing tax preparer Olivia Henken couldn’t be happier that she gets a country song — especially one she knows inside and out. It’s the first time soul belter Stephanie got a load of the song though. She spends most of her time at rehearsals learning the lyrics. Celebrity helper Ed Sheeran sounds vaguely racist when he urges cruise singer Stephanie to “you just want to get the wagging finger out and go wild on that.” Stephanie might have won any other song, but Olivia really does inhabit the number more naturally. Still, the show could scarcely afford to lose someone with Stephanie’s personality. And we already that this is both the last match in the battle rounds and Cee-Lo is the only judge with a slot for a steal. It’s sort of a no-brainer of what will happen (though Carson Daly was still amazed, yelling “Whoa!”)
Winner: Olivia
Cee-Lo steals Stephanie, completing his team.