The Voice 2 Live Round 1 - iTunes Studio Recordings Review
Here are my reviews for the The Voice 2 Live Round 1 iTunes Studio Recordings from Team Christina and Team Blake.
Some bad ones (which I still scored a generous 2 to) and a few middle of the roads. The stand-outs were good but not great to be totally raving. An overall good week for Team Christina and Team Blake.
The reviews:
Jermaine Paul - Livin' on a Prayer
On hindsight, this song may have worked if it actually had a different arrangement. Jermaine tried to sing this in a hybrid R&B/Rock-style that doesn't work for me. Better than his live performance since he struggled with the high notes on the live show. I am still not optimistic about Jermaine's voice in the studio. I hear nothing special here.
Rating: 2/5
Download: Livin' on a Prayer (MP3)
Watch Jermaine's live performance
Chris Mann – Bridge Over Troubled Water
I preferred Chris' live performance over this, but this was not bad at all. Really great in some parts (specially the ending crescendo) but I think he needs more work if he wants to be the next Josh Groban. An image transformation maybe? I was thinking that if he had an adonis persona, this vocal would have been perfect.
Rating: 3/5
Download: Bridge Over Troubled Water (MP3)
RaeLynn - Wake Up Call
This was surprisingly good! I'm actually looking forward to a RaeLynn vs. Skylar Laine (of American Idol 11) matchup every week now. This is a Maroon 5 song? It's country now! Unlike Skylar however, RaeLynn still can't sing live. But this was good.
Rating: 3/5
Download: Wake Up Call (MP3)
Watch RaeLynn's live performance
Moses Stone - Stronger/Power
This was not bad, but Moses is the Jessica Sanchez of The Voice: he copied everything except the autotune of Kanye's vocals. LOL. he really needs to be original if he wants to make a dent in hiphop. I don't think The Voice and specially Christina Aguilera can help him with that. But a good effort anyway.
Rating: 3/5
Download: Stronger/Power (MP3)
Naia Kete - Turning Tables
A non-reggae Naia is definitely a better Naia. However, she still needs a lot of vocal training. She can't breathe! Phrasing in the studio (like her live performance) was horrible. If this was a reggae-version I would have subtracted a point, but I like the new attack so I'm generous. Barely a 3.
Rating: 3/5
Download: Turning Tables (MP3)
Lindsey Pavao - Somebody That I Used To Know
I love this! This sounds like a pop song on the radio. Good job Lindsey!
Rating: 4/5
Download: Somebody That I Used To Know (MP3)
Watch Lindsey's live performance
Jordis Unga - Alone
I love this! Alone is Jordis-fied. She pours her soul out on this one. There is a signature Jordis sound here, and I like that.
Rating: 4/5
Download: Alone (MP3)
Watch Jordis' live performance
Sera Hill - Find Your Love
This was good! I'm pleasantly surprised. Her voice was unique enough for me to be interested in this. There's potential here, much more than a lot of the other generic voices this season. Like Chris Mann, if Sera's image was that of a Rihanna, this would be perfection. Does Sera have time?
Rating: 4/5
Download: Find Your Love (MP3)
Erin Willett - Living for the City
A good vocal and boring. I hear nothing here that makes Erin unique. Her live performance wasn't much to talk about as well. Maybe Erin's calling isn't as a solo artist but part of a group or ensemble cast somewhere. I like her and perhaps that is where she will find success. Definitely not here on this show.
Rating: 3/5
Download: Living for the City (MP3)
Ashley De La Rosa - Right Through You
This was a good vocal from Ashley but she totally suffers from being generic -- her vocals and her image. Copying Alanis' inflections doesn't help her. Still a solid recording though. She just needs to finds herself maybe, but I don't think that's going to be on The Voice.
Rating: 3/5
Download: Right Through You
Watch Ashley's live performance
Charlotte Sometimes - Misery Business
I hate this recording as much as I hated her live performance. No, just no. Everything about her is not working for me. She comes off as a female douche in this recording and in her live performance she appeared to me as someone acting like she was edgy.
Rating: 2/5
Download: Misery Business
Watch Charlotte's live performance
Jesse Campbell - What A Wonderful World
This was great. Although you do question how Jesse fits in with today's music landscape. Maybe as a throwback act? He probably needs to channel a bit more Susan Boyle magic to get older people excited about his music since that seems to be the target market he is after. Taking on a current hit might be a disaster for him on the show in the future, but you'll never know. I liked this, because apparently I've turned into a cougar for the night.
Rating: 4/5
Download: What A Wonderful World (MP3)
Watch Jesse's live performance
