The Voice Recap: Play It the Way You Feel It, But Listen Carefully to the Sound [Updated]
Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” has probably been used in countless marriage proposals and wedding processions, but its lyrics have never felt more apt to me than during tonight’s final installment of The Voice‘s Season 4 Blind Auditions.
With three of the show’s four judges having filled their 12-member teams to capacity, the intensity level was already tickling the rafters as perky/adorable former public-relations exec Jessica Childress took the stage in AN attempt to launch a new career and a new life. And holy crow, could the woman ever sing!
RELATED | American Idol‘s Ratings Woes: 8 Common-Sense Ways to Salvage Season 12
“Don’t say no, no, no, no, no,” she pleaded (musically) to Usher, whose hand hovered over the top of his buzzer. “Just say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.” I’m not ashamed to admit that as she did so, I leapt to my feet, somehow feeling like I could physically sway the outcome of a reality TV moment that was taped months ago.
Finally, Usher did it: He rose to his feet, slapped that red button, and turned his chair for Jessica, making her the 48th person to advance to the Season 4 Battle Rounds. And thus, the Blind Auditions ended just as they started — with an aura of raucous celebration.
RELATED | Details on So You Think You Can Dance Season 10 Premiere
Anyhow, since a nice shot of NyQuil is poised to take me to the land of the Lunesta butterfly, let me get hoppin’ with a rundown of the four singers who advanced to the Battle Rounds on Episode 6 of Season 4. I’ve ranked these cats in order from least- to most-promising, as is my custom:
4) Luke Edgemon, Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (Team Shakira) | Dude clearly has a gorgeous voice, but he added so many embellishments to Raitt’s gorgeous melody that it was kind of like dumping a tub of melted Velveeta over a perfect filet mignon. Illegal!
3) Jacqui Sandell, Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” (Team Blake) | Former ballerina put some nice grit and growl on certain notes, while mostly keeping it simple. As Blake noted, she’s got a “sneaky” voice and knows how to use it.
2) Amber Carrington, Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl” (Team Adam) | Her white blazer and turquoise pants made her look more like a hip PTA mom than the 19-year-old she is, but on the plus side, she had enough vocal horsepower to handle a big Carrie Underwood ditty while managing to play with the melody just enough to keep it from being karaoke.
1) Jessica Childress, Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” (Team Usher) | There’s something optimistic and sunny about Jessica’s voice — perhaps it’s a little Shirelles-esque? — and she didn’t miss a single note of “Marry You,” either. Her response to making a team — “I am fully nuclear right now” — was the most adorable quote of the season (non-Shakira category).
Okay, your turn. What did you think of the final Blind Auditions of The Voice Season 4? Who was your favorite? Who got a spot on a coach’s team that left you scratching your head? Who got unfairly snubbed? Take our poll below, then expand on your thoughts in the comments! And for all my reality TV recaps, interviews, news and exclusives, follow me on Twitter @MichaelSlezakTV!
Related stories
Smash Recap: Up and Down and Over and Out
NBC Moves Grimm, Cancels Ready for Love
American Idol: What Should the Top 4 Sing for One-Hit Wonders/Contestant's Choice?
Get more from TVLine.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
