Another year, another four teams filled. We may have seen our last dramatic chair turn of the season, but let's hope there are still more hilariously uncomfortable Bob Saget and John Stamos moments to come. Until then, here's how the final night of Blinds Rankle:
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Johnny Hayes
Here's a weird story: my fish, Ariel, whose bowl sits directly under my TV, LOVED Johnny. She kept turning around toward the screen and flittering to the beat in a sort of fish-dance. But alas: she has no chair to turn.
Song: "Traveler"
Team: N/A -
Nicholas Ray
Poor Nicolas is the victim of a bad song choice and picky judges, but maybe he and his adorable husband will be back next year. I'm going to make an early prediction that he eventually ends up on Team Adam somehow, some way -- possibly by earning a lifelong bromance.
Song: "I Got The Music In Me"
Team: N/A -
Blaine Long
Blaine seems like a nice enough guy, but that still doesn't make him anything more than another token twangy white guy with a guitar for Team Blake.
Song: "Have A Little Faith In Me"
Team: Blake -
Kylie Rothfield
Kylie's a great guitar player, but while her singing voice is pleasant, it's also so dull that Ariel stopped moving to lie down on her gravel bed for a full minute, refusing to move, even when I verbally expressed alarm because I thought she died. So if a fish wants to tune you out that badly...ouch.
Song: "Wherever I Go"
Team: Alicia -
Josette Diaz
Josette has a sweet tone, but she shout-sings a lot, and even Miley seems conflicted about selecting her to be her final team member. There's a chance that she really could blossom under the right type of coaching, but for now, she's a major wild card going into the Battles, where she'll have to either put up or shut up.
Song: "Love Yourself"
Team: Miley -
Maye Thomas
Maye dresses like Bad Sandy from the end of Grease and sounds like I wouldn't totally hate being stuck at a red light with her while she rocked out to Top 40 radio, so sure, welcome to The Voice, Maye. I'm sure your radio DJ/Swon Brothers superfan dad had nothing to do with it.
Song: "Roses"
Team: Miley -
Natasha Bure
Natasha -- or rather, DJ TANNER'S DAUGHTER -- actually pulls out a fun surprise with her rendition of "I Can't Help Falling In Love." It's a clearly studied, deliberate arrangement, packed with vocal tricks and inflections, but there's also a sense of playfulness to her performance. Or, at least, there is until she freaks out following Adam's chair turn. He seems to have a bit of buyer's remorse, but recovers nicely by promising to take her to "nerves and self-confidence boot camp." And while I'd normally root for any kin of Kirk's to get the boot as quickly as possible, I sort of hope Natasha sticks around, if only for her dad's dad jokes about Russians not needing to smile.
Song: "Can't Help Falling In Love"
Team: Adam -
Ponciano Seoane
Ponciano is more than just a dude with a cool name: he has a nice rasp to his voice, great performance stamina, and a clear handle on how to properly pronounce lyrics. The added inflections and quirks in his runs give a fun hint about his personality too, and he's altogether just fun to watch.
Song: "Home "
Team: Adam -
Whitney & Shannon
Whitney and Shannon have sweet tones and cozy harmonies, but their voices seem to be on the thinner side. While the Dixie Chicks' arrangement of "Landslide" works well in that it hides that particular flaw, neither of them brings the necessary weight to the sadness the song demands. They talk about singing together around the world as part of their parents' preaching, but I have to wonder if they've studied too much technically to really emote.
Song: "Landslide"
Team: Alicia -
Courtney Harrell
Courtney has a great tone and nice vibrato, but her nerves nearly trip her up; it's not until the end of her performance when she really lets it go, allowing herself to really get carried away with her own runs. The change loosens her up, and it starts to feel as though she's actually exciting to watch. It's tbd if she'll be able to keep the momentum up, but if she can, she'll be golden.
Song: "Let It Go
Team: Blake -
Johnny Rez
Look, I'm just a sucker for this song, dudes in cardigans, dudes with Jon Snow-like hair, and good redemption stories. The hint of husk in Johnny's voice helps too, and his falsetto isn't half-bad either.
Song: "Iris"
Team: Adam
And of course: honorable mentions to the montaged Tarra Layne (Team Blake), Charity Bowden (Team Miley), JSOUL (Team Adam), and Belle Jewel (Team Alicia).
Here's how the teams stand, ahead of the Battles:
Team Blake: Sundance Head, Dana Harper, Gabe Broussard, Dan Shafer, Ethan Tucker, Austin Allsup, Christian Fermin, Josh Gallagher, Preston James, Tarra Layne, Courtney Harrell, Blaine Long
Team Adam: Riley Elmore, Andrew DeMuro, Billy Gilman, Brendan Fletcher, Bindi Liebowitz, Elia Esparza, Nolan Neal, Simone Gundy, JSOUL, Johnny Rez, Natasha Bure, Ponciano Seoane
Team Miley: Courtnie Ramirez, Ali Caldwell, Sa'Rayah, Sophia Urista, Karlee Metzger, Lane Mack, Aaron Gibson, Darby Walker, Khaliya Kimberlie, Maye Thomas, Charity Bowden, Josette Diaz
Team Alicia: Jason Warrior, Dave Moisan, Christian Cuevas, Lauren Diaz, Wé McDonald, Josh Halverson, Gabriel Violett, Halle Tomlinson, Michael Sanchez, Belle Jewel, Whitney & Shannon, Kylie Rothfield
Any early favorites? Which team seems do you think is the strongest, so far? Comment away!