It’s back! Just under eight months after Javier Colon was named The Voice, we’ve started the search for his successor. And if tonight’s first five blind auditions are anything to go by, while I haven’t quite felt the “oh my gosh” factor that I did when I saw season 1, this year has the potential to be pretty amazing, too.
Firstly, the coaches are still their irrepressible, engaging selves. Adam is still getting bleeped, he and Christina are still playfully bickering between themselves (at least they hugged and made up afterward!), while Blake is still making fun of himself for being country, and Cee Lo…is being Cee Lo. They haven’t lost any of their charm or wit from season 1, feeling like old friends who invited themselves over (and won’t get their feet off your furniture).
But on to the artists hoping to land one of the 12 (up from 8) spots on each of the coaches’ teams. I have to say that of the five, I wasn’t quite sold on Raelynn. I applaud her for having the courage to do a Miranda Lambert song; Cherie Oakley did “Gunpowder & Lead” last year and Blake didn’t turn his chair for her. But he turned for Raelynn this season, making her the first member of Team Blake. To me, she sounds a little bit like Casey Weston. I’m not necessarily a fan of Raelynn, but if anyone can work with her, it’s definitely Blake.
Single dad Jesse Campbell was the next to sing. His blind audition was leaked by NBC a few days ago, so you may have already heard him and/or know that he ended up on Team Christina. Speaking of people who sound like people, Jesse reminded me of Javier, in that he had the same impassioned quality to his vocals, and their blind auditions had the same result: all four chairs turned. There was an extra something special I heard in Javier that I didn’t get with Jesse, but I still think he’s a great talent and one of my early favorites.
Watching Jesse decide between all four coaches made me think about how The Voice has such a different focus from other shows. Part of me wanted him to pick Adam (what, you didn’t think I’d change loyalties, did you?), but mostly I wanted him to pick the coach that would be the best for him. It’s not always about your team winning; it’s also about which team can best help the artist flourish. We saw it last season, with coaches not hitting their buttons because they believed another coach was a better fit, and that’s changed how I look at the blind auditions, too. Jesse didn’t pick my team, but I’m still pulling for him to succeed.
Daniel Rosa was next, but his version of Neon Trees‘ “Animal” paled in comparison to the original, or even how Devon Barley performed it in season one. He was sent packing, but at least he took it in stride, even asking the coaches for advice. That’s the way to lose gracefully.
When I saw Florida’s Juliet Simms, I thought she was going to go out and do some growly rock anthem. Shows you how much I know (and exactly why The Voice works): she came out and performed one of Adam’s favorite Beatles songs instead, getting him up out of his chair and singing along with her. He ultimately lost her, however – probably because he and Christina were busy bickering while Cee Lo calmly made his sales pitch to her.
My ears were perked when opera singer Chris Mann stepped to the mic. I was lucky enough to hear his blind audition live, and I remember just staring. Like Cee Lo, I was in awe, and I’m not a fan of that genre of music. Regardless, the man has some truly impressive pipes. As much as I would have loved to have him on Team Adam, I’m glad he went with Team Christina, because I think she’s the best fit for him. I am really interested to see what he’ll do when he moves into other styles of music. It could be really special.
Cue the montage of failed blind auditions, then we got to Tony Lucca, who used to be with Christina in the Mickey Mouse Club. She didn’t recognize his voice and didn’t appear to recognize him even after her chair turned around. Tony is another early favorite of mine, with his early rendition of “Trouble,” and Adam liked him so much that not only did he hit his own button, he leaned over and smacked Cee Lo’s button for him. It might be illegal, but it did convince Tony to become the first member of Team Adam Season 2. Carson wondered if Christina would ever figure out who Tony was…and she finally popped backstage and said hello. Aw, how sweet, albeit delayed.
I can’t say that I was totally floored by this first group – I love Jesse, Chris and Tony, but I’m not blown away like I was by the likes of Javier, Tim Mahoney and Jeff Jenkins. Still, there are some good singers here, so while season 2 might not (yet) beat season 1, I think it could still be great to watch.
And what’s the icing on the proverbial cake is how the show has changed the game: we heard numerous artists tonight talk about how they were on The Voice to be seen for who they were, not who they thought they should be. They knew they could come to this show and get the chance they might not get anywhere else. That’s what made me fall in love with The Voice, and why I still love it. And I look forward to getting to meet 48 new artists, and hear what they can do.
Also: Adam Levine makes an awesome ninja. Just wanted to throw that out there.
Who from the first five did you enjoy? Are you as excited as I am to have The Voice back?
Clacked by Brittany Frederick 
on Feb 06, 2012 @ 15:01 EST5EDT
I liked last night’s episode better than last year, but each their own, I just like good music in general. They spent more time on people’s stories (only showed 6 auditions in 1 hour, instead of last year’s 8 per hour), and I liked the immediate variety of singers. An opera singer – wow – and he has a touching personal story, too. I’ll be curious how Jesse does. He does remind me of Javier (older soul singer balancing a struggling career and raising a daughter). I think Javier has a better pure voice, but I liked Jesse’s presentation of his song better, with his ad-libs selectively placed in the right spots. I also liked that Christina made up with Adam after she stepped all over him. Did you see them playing Guesstures on Ellen DeGeneres? Five singers down, 43 more to go, lots more good music to come, and that’s before the coaching starts. BTW – you do a great job with these reports.
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks! I appreciate the compliment!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who made the Jesse/Javier comparison. I agree that they’re a bit alike, which is probably why I like them both (I grew up listening to a lot of more soulful music). I adore Chris as well, even though that’s not my genre. He’s just flat-out impressive.
I *did* see the coaches on Ellen. I loved how Adam and Blake were arguing over “banjo.” LOL.
Looks like a lot of people liked the “Diva” moment, too. (Adam points at Christina; Blake yells, “Christina! Diva!”; Christina chases after Adam, yelling, “Not fair!”)
*POST AUTHOR*
Ha, that was great too! I sort of figured that was going to happen when I saw what the words were.
I wondered if Christina was told about Tony by a member of the crew so that the reunion would happen. She remembered him, and that Britney had a crush on him.
During the show, a friend tweeted, “First time watching The Voice – so, if I’m right, they judge on talent, but a heart-tugging back story can’t hurt either.” when I answered that we were mocking the sob stories, she replied, “seriously, they bill themselves as being “all about the talent” – but within the first 2 min, we had homeless and cancer!?”
Apparently producers still think that adversity makes for good TV. Success of the downtrodden and all.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how Chris does. He was refreshing.
*POST AUTHOR*
I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody did tip Christina off. Not as a stunt or anything, but if I were on the crew and I knew that backstory, I’d definitely mention it to her since I’d guess (correctly) that it would mean something to Tony to hear from her.
As far as “mocking the sob stories,” I think you’re being a bit harsh. I’m sure it also benefits the show to have people with a compelling story, but I’ve known plenty of musicians who’ve struggled through circumstances like those of Jesse and Jamar, or other issues. There are more out there than you might think. I don’t doubt that every artist this season earned their place on that stage and it’s not because of what they’ve been through.
I’m not saying that a sob story will get them far in the show – the mentors don’t know the back story – but I suspect that having one makes for compelling TV and that the producers seek to put them on TV before others. Producers like a good back story. Plenty of musicians struggle but struggle is also good for getting viewers emotionally attached to the contestants.
I think Christina’s tip-off came after the audition. I don’t remember some people I went to school with 20 years ago so I don’t blame her for not immediately recognizing him.
*POST AUTHOR*
Yeah, I’m sure it factors in a bit, but what I meant was I don’t think it’s a huge part of the decision-making. Although I think this show probably gets a lot more of that, because it quickly established itself as a more accepting place for those under adverse or different circumstances. Myself included.
And it absolutely came after the audition…she didn’t have a clue when she was talking to Tony on-stage, and I agree that she had no reason to remember him. Some people have great memories; I get people that I went to elementary school with who come up to me. But I can’t say that I recall all of them. Or most of them.