Showing posts with label the voice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the voice. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Voice, Battles Pt. 2. a.k.a. Pitchy isn't a real word

Once again, we are watching and greatly enjoying The Voice. It's the ~Battle Rounds~ Round 2! Live blog! Ding Ding Ding!

Our first matchup, Team Cee Lo!
Battle #1: Nakia vs. Tje a.k.a...
..."So much hair"
Because we've had copious name problems in the past, we decided to forgo real names and just give them our own.


Z: ty and nikea?
L: yup
Z: is that how you spell that man's name?
L: Nikea? lol wat is that really his name?
Z: i guess so.
Z: i call him growly bear.
L: omg we're gonna have name problems again
L: ok yeah, growly bear and afro! that's their names.


And later:

L: "Nakia"?!
L: omg Ty's name is spelled "Tje"
Z: lol. i forgot about that!
Z: i would not think to pronounce it that way
L: our names are better for them.
Z: agreed



Cee Lo only needs one color to look fabulous
L: i was like, "omg Cee Lo's wearing red again!!!"
Z: LOL

L: but i think it was the same day lol
Z: it's the same day


As for this battle, we had some problems with it. Namely, that it wasn't very good.


Z: it sounds so forced from growly bear
L: .....i don't like either of them
Z: this song is supposed to be smooth
L: yeah, i do think that Tje is doing better with the song, but I don't find his voice that strong
L: there are some bum notes there.

L: Maybe Nakia is more in tune? But more shouty.
Z: yeah. none of them are wowing me.
L: Not my favorite battle.

We ultimately sided with Cee Lo however on his pick of Nakia
do the chicken suits come with the contract?

L: Who would you take?
Z: based on technicality?
Z: nakia

Z: tje is kind of blah, but he may be more moldable.
L: i would pick Nakia though, I think. Not based on the performance, but thinking about what he could do in the future.
L: he's more unique.

Z: i have a feeling cee lo is going to go with the people who are more 'out there'.
L: I could imagine Kia wearing a chicken suit.

Next up, we go to the side of my new favorite judge, Blake!
for Battle #2: Jared vs. Elenowen a.k.a...
...Daughtry-lite vs. Duo-who-ruined-Falling Slowly (a blogger never forgets!)
At first we called shenanigans! We found it unfair that Poor man's Daughtry had to go up against TWO singers. 

Z: how the heck is this going to work?
L: it's like 2 voices against 1. not fair.
Z: i know. and this song is for two people already.
Z: what's that guy gonna do? 
L: i am concerned for him
L: except the duo kind of sucks

Z: DON'T DESPAIR DAUGHTRY LITE!

But oh yeah, there was really nothing Blake could have done, so we got over it:

Z: it DOES seem a little unfair, blake!
Z: why are you doing this?!
L: but then again, there were no other duos on his team. what was he gonna do?
Z: true
L: i guess he had to put them up against somebody


Zozizzle really really likes REBA:
REBA
Z: REBA!
L: REBA's name must be written in capslock
Z: YES
Z: LISTEN TO REBA

Z: KEEP THAT SPOTLIGHT ON YOU
Z: LISTEN TO REBA

Z: REBA KNOWS ALL
Z: REBA
Z: she's looking for stage presence

In the end we found we were rooting for...Daughtry-lite? (we also called him "Baldy". We really are terrible with names). Someone who we never would have rooted for normally, but we got behind him because of the underdog factor.

L: I like that he has little girls. that's cute :D
Z: it is! he's like this rough looking biker dude, and he probably has to play tea party with them.


L: lol i'm rooting for Daughtry-lite
Z: i am, too
Z: he's kind of the underdog here
L: work it out, baldy!
L: baldy daddy

L: Baldy's got moves
Z: he does!
Z: go baldy!


Also, Elenowen? We weren't that impressed
maybe if we just shout really loud...
L: the guy is pretty good
Z: he sounds nice
L: girl is the weak link!
Z: yep
Z: she seems awkward
Z: she could've gone higher there
Z: some of those harmonies were nice
L: their sum is better than their parts.


We ended up enjoying the battle regardless though. They found a way to compete fairly and to show off their ~skills. And our favorite rocker pulled it out! This is still 10 times more interesting than any early round on that Shamericanidol show.

L: that was actually better than i thought it would be
L: and more balanced too
Z: mmhmm
Z: JARED!!!!
L: YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Z: GO DAUGHTRY-LITE!
L: W00T W00T
Z: he worked it

Z: good for him
L: He fought the power!



Next it was time for Team Adam
In a battle we like to call, Battle #3: Javier vs. Angela a.k.a...
...no brainer

Sorry Angela, but everyone knew there was no way you were going past Javier. Even though I actually liked you, Javier has been the ~contestant to beat ever since he first appeared.
I mean c'mon now: Amazing voice? Check! Adorable family? Check! Cool rearrangements? Check! Cute? Check! Humble? Check! Plaid? Check!
Dude's got it in the bag right now.

L: I think I remember Angela. she was a country singer
Z: ooo stand by me
L: i remember liking her actually

L: but Javier was DEFINITELY the best
Z: yes. this.
L: like, DEFINITELY
Z: i loved his version of 'time after time'
L: I even got his studio!
Z: oh, nice!


You know who else we kind of love a lot? Adam Levine.  We want to be on your team, Adam!
and i'm good looking too!
L: The thing I like about Team Adam, is that i feel like he's so knowledgeable. He's done so many things right in the music industry, and I would feel really confident in taking his advice.
L: He also has such a unique voice, so he can help all kinds of voices out.

Z: yeah, definitely. i think he's the most well-rounded judge up there.


Once the battle round started and Javier started singing, we got a little carried away
girlfrand was impressed too
L: uggghghalsdkf his voice
Z: sounds so good!!!
L: sounds so good in my earsssss
Z: i almost want to marry it


And in the most obvious decision ever,

Z: the winner is....
Z: javier!
Z: yep, an obvious choice
Z: i'm liking adam's team so far
L: i feel like Javier could win the whole thing
Z: his was the only audition i absolutely loved


We were not without a little bit of concern, but we still have faith in our boy: 

L: except for the fact that he also feels like one of those contestants who are really amazing at first and everyone thinks they are going to win....and then they end up never living up to that first amazing performance
L: i get that vibe lol
Z: oh, yeah
Z: the classic plateau effect
L: right
Z: or in terms of AI--the hollywood week effect
L: exactly lol
L: he still does have a great voice though. can't deny that. i hope he continues using it well.
Z: he seems to be a good musician; that could be his best asset when it comes to arranging and such
Z: and adam is a good coach; he'll keep javier from making bad musical choices.


Our last battle of the night came from Team Christina!
Battle #4: Beverly vs. Justin a.k.a...
...shouty rocker lady vs. lone male diva
We were kind of perplexed by this matchup. Not only did we not remember Justin, we're still trying to figure out if Bev is actually any good.

L: don't remember Justin at all
Z: i do not remember justin
Z: BABA O'RILEY????
Z: wow
L: this favors the woman!
L: Beverly was actually not that good lol, but her enthusiasm was great
Z: it's a big song

Z: that could really help her

We were also skeptical about Christina's coaching methods. Although there's no denying girl can SANG (and for the most part we're enjoying her as a judge), she certainly likes the sound of her own voice.
step aside, fools!
L: oh Christina
L: haha "if you want to make it better just sing it just like me"
Z: "just do what i do!"

L: Christina really does know how to SANG though. i would listen to her advice as well.
L: well....most of her advice
L: she can lay on the melisma a little too much at times.

Z: no, for real. that is like her crutch sometimes
Z: she sings too many notes sometimes
L: i don't really care for singers like that, tbh
L: in fact, i enjoy Sia's voice more

Z: i'm a little wary of her as a judge sometimes; i think her divaness comes so naturally that i feel like when she tries to explain how to improve to her team members, she can't really thoroughly explain it.
L: lol right. like, she doesn't give advice she's just like, "sing it like meeeeee" *does a million runs*
Z: lol yes

The actual battle ultimately came down to a competent singing Justin against a loud, shouty Bev. We actually sided on Team Justin in this regard.
Bev would probably win in a real boxing match against you, Justin

Z: bev's voice is better suited? at this point.
L: i....actually like Justin better
L: he's really going for it!
Z: you think bev's over singing?
L: yeah. kind of a lot
L: it's just...shouting at this point
Z: it's going to come down to who shouts in tune


In the end, Bev won the night by being quirky and shouty and Justin got cut because he was a boy. We look forward to seeing Bev do very well in the competition though.

L: don't know who is going to be picked :O
Z: it's a tough one
L: Bev has more ~character
L: isn't Justin Christina's only boy? lol
Z: i think so

Z: the lone male diva
L: lol yeah
Z: bev
L: I would have chosen Justin actually
L: People will totallllly vote for Bev though
Z: yep
L: it's the ~personality thing
Z: absolutely


We leave this episode of The Voice with only happy thoughts and look forward to more to come! If the judges are going to continue to be insightful and helpful and the contestants are going to continue to step it up? I'm ready to go to the end of the season!

L: so......yay the voice!
L: still liking it
L: many things to enjoy once again
Z: yeah. the battles are fun; they're not dragged out
Z: there's not too much unnecessary drama
Z: it's about the singing
L: they have a little bit of convo w/ the contestants, but they go pretty quickly into the battles
L: i like that
L: and the coaches don't talk for that long afterwards!!!
L: praise jesus
Z: OMG
Z: yes
Z: no one's saying 'in it to win it'

Friday, May 13, 2011

(A Much Delayed Recap of) The Voice, Battles Pt. 1. a.k.a. "I Will Punch You With My Voice..."

...and you (and all of America) will like it. *snap*

Truth be told, we (at the blog) DID like it! We've actually liked The Voice ever since its first episode. The show's premise (having 4 coaches instead of judges, battles, more focus on people that can sing AND singing, etc.)  has been a nice change from that other vocal talent show we sometimes watch. (I won't name any names, but it rhymes with Shamericanidol. Emphasis on the sham part. /rant over)

Anyways, we decided to live blog week the first week of battles on The Voice. A lot of them were pretty close to call, but, of course, that did not stop us from putting in our two cents on not only the performances but also the overall festivities.


First, Onto the Matchups! Starting with Team Christina!
Battle #1: Tarralynn vs. Frenchie singing "Single Ladies" a.k.a...



...DIVA-GEDDON
also a.k.a.: ...The Time When We Discovered Christina Is a Singing Sith Lord

Follow the progression of the images below, paying careful attention to Christina. Sure, she starts out looking normal, but as the vocal battle draws nearer, it becomes apparent that sing-offs bring out a bit of her dark side.

Time until Vocal Battle: 1 Day

"You guys are both amazing! O hai, Sia!" 
L: I bet Christina THRIVES off of Diva-offs
L: it gives her power


Time Until Vocal Battle: A Little Less Than 1 Day


"Do I sense some tension?"
Z: they're like her unicorn blood #sheisasingingvoldemort
Z: christina is getting excited at the very thought of this diva-off
Z: it's palpable
Z: they're about to punch each other with their voices


Time Until Vocal Battle: 2 Seconds:


Sith Signal to begin Vocal Battle #1.
L: lollll she's totally encouraging the tension
L: she wants it!


Time Until Vocal Battle: -30 Seconds

Dance of the Singing Sith Lord.
Z: she's feeding off of it!!!
Z: she's like emperor palpatine. the more anger there is, the stronger she grows


Battle #1 Winner: Frenchie. We agreed with Christina's choice.



L: blue dress girl has hit some bum notes
L: like, that last note? no
Z: yeah, she's a little off with her wailing


L: i'm kind of on Team Frenchie right now, i can't lie
Z: Frenchie was more in tune, and she had more flair

Onto Battle 2: A Battle in which Patrick sang against Tyler a.k.a. ....


...The Time We Indirectly Realized Not Only Blake's Sheer Height, But Also His Coolness.  

L: omg is Blake a giant?!
L: or are they really short?
Z: he is a country giant

L: can i take the time to mention how much I love Blake?
L: He's funny and smart and has picked some pretty good people, and i've never heard of him 
before, but i enjoy him

In addition to his admirable traits, Blake's choice of celebrity judge/helper further upped his coolness:

Actual Fact--> Reba's Total # of Awards from '84-present: Ninety, ya'll. NINETY.
Z: wow. Reba frikkin' McEntire
Z: blake's pulling out the big guns
L: lol Reba PWNS all other judge helpers
11:55 PM
Z: she has as many grammys for each year christina has been alive

Anyways, the Winner was...: Patrick...or was it Tyler? We kept getting them mixed up during the battle. 



For the record: Patrick's on the left; Tyler's on the right. It took us half the song to realize that.
L: if you already have another country singer type in your group, choose Patrick?
L: if you're looking for a good country guy, go Tyler
L: omg i'm confusing their names lol
L: switch that
Z: no, tyler's the country guy
L: switch thattttt haha
Z: you were right
L: so confused right now


Z: patrick's the one with the bowtie
L: no, they keep calling him Tyler though!
Z: wait.
L: Tyler is the ging!
Z: i got it wrong
L: haha it's ok
L: I DON'T KNOW WHO I WOULD CHOOSE


Winner: It was Patrick. At least we're 99.99% sure it was.

Yep. Definitely Patrick...right?
Onto Team Adam and Battle #3: Where Tim and Casey sang "Leather and Lace"...a.k.a. the Battle where We Tried to Figure Out Who Casey Sounded Like



Z: who does she sound like?
L: she has a nice tone
L: but yeah, it's reminiscent of someone else
12:10 AM
Z: yeah, she sounds nothing like the high-pitched girl we saw in the beginning


We were both racking our brains the entire song, but to no avail. Who should solve the mystery of the recognizable voice with no name? 
...Cray Cray Cee-lo. Of course.

Z: Cee-lo's right!
Z: she *does* sound like a young stevie nicks
L: she DOES

Battle #3 Winner: Casey a.k.a. Young Stevie Nicks


Z: her voice is interesting
L: yeah, i like her too
L: she could be great


Onto Team Cee-lo and Battle #4. But first, some words about Team Cee-lo, who wins the award for Most Random Team Ever Led by the Most Random Coach Ever. 


Z: i feel like cee-lo has the most random team
Z: or maybe that's just because of cee-lo's randomness
L: Yeah, Cee Lo kind of just picked whoever the fuck he wanted




L: dat's a lot of red
Z: it is. he looks like the kool-aid man
L: I feel like I never have any idea what Cee Lo is thinking
L: lol like Cee Lo's brain is just madness at all times

If it's still hard to believe that Cee-lo is random, please keep in mind that this is the same man who performed at the Grammys dressed in this: 

Gwyneth unfortunately came with the costume.

*Ahem* Anyways, onto the battle, in which Vicci went up against Niki singing P!nk's "Perfect" a.k.a. When We Realized We'll Always Be Biased Against Those Who Try to Cover an Adele Song
Left: Vicci; Right: Niki
L: right now, i'm leaning towards "Teenage Dream" girl (Niki sang it for her blind audition)
L: b/c that other girl sounded like she butchered "Rolling in the Deep" (Adele's hit single, which Vicci sang for her blind audition)
Z: yeah, her high note wasn't good
L: i basically have never heard an Adele cover better than the original
Z: THIS
Z: no one should touch Adele
L: and Kris Allen has done an Adele cover.....so you know it's serious*
L: SERIOUS SHIT
Z: WORD TO YOUR MOTHER

*How shall I put this. Lea is to Kris Allen and his music as Gwyneth Paltrow is to her own reflection.

Battle #4 Winner: To our surprise, Vicci 

Z: WHOA
L: WAT NO
L: meeeh
Z: wrong choice, cee-lo
L: my only disappointment
Z: agreed

Z: cee-lo is cray cray lol
L: for real


Our Concluding Thoughts: 

L: I enjoyed this episode! You know why? because the duets sounded good! like, it was just pleasant to listen to these people's voices mesh
L: and no one is terrible anymore
Z: Idol should be kicking themselves
they already do that [do group numbers/duets] during hollywood week. they just never made it a huge focus
L: right? and even though the voice is still contrived (boxing matches, an actual ring, etc.), it never feels forced like Idol does
Z: my producer-manipulation-spidey-sense wasn't tingling at all during this ep
it's usually pinging all the time during idol. I like that the judges actually talk about the musical aspects of singing
Z: their criticism sounds more constructive during the rehearsal rounds
Z: there's not as much soundbite generating going on, i feel
L: and i think you have to remember that it's new! and fresh!
L: Idol is stale and moldy

Truer words have never been spoken. 

And so ends this live blog. Now, what did you think of the episode? 


[Image Credit: JustJared.com; NBC]