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thevoiceswimmer

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  1. Episode 8: The Battles (And Nobody is a Winner) Team Niall: Laura Littleton vs Ross Clayton "Stop Draggin My Heart Around" Tomy Petty & Stevie Nicks Results: Ross Wins, Laura is Eliminated Who I Would Pick: Neither Grades: Laura (C-), Ross (C) Thoughts and Feelings: OMG YAWN. I think I'd rather watch one of them flop then ever watch this again. This song was just middle of the road in every aspect, like boring vocals, boring arrangement, boring stage presence, there is literally nothing noteworthy in this performance. Should've sent them both packing Team Chance: Alyssa Lazar vs Magnus "Your Song" Elton John Results: Magnus Wins, Alyssa is Elminated Who I Would Pick: Magnus Grades: Alyssa (D+) Magnus (C) Thoughts and Feelings: Magnus is just the definition of generic. He's like a creme filled cookie at Kmart instead of an Oreo... just not as good. He managed to stay on pitch I guess? I really did feel bad when Alyssa was the only audition to get montaged in the blinds... not anymore. Team Blake: Marykate Connor vs Kylee Dayne Results: Kylee Wins, Marykate gets Playoff Pass Who I Would Pick: Marykate Grades: Marykate (B+) Kylee (B+) Thoughts and Feelings: First off, I hate this song. Like even I could write this song, that being said this is probably the best version of this song out there. It was a little understated but really enjoyable. I think that Marykate had the more interesting perspective in tone and phrasing, but Kylee had a little more control and finesse so do you pick vocals or uniqueness? In this case, I lean towards Mary, but I think Kylee going home after this would be a shame That was rough y'all, please tell me the knockouts get better
  2. Yes now that we've made it past the blinds, these artists are in the public eye and should be judged by everything they put forth in my lil recap I didn't really say he was a bad singer, I just said that he was corny and painful to watch because of that flailing on what's supposed to be a really sad song. I also don't think he's that unique (nor is Tasha) but by Season 23, the guy with the high voice is not that special so you have to be on point in every aspect and he wasn't. And yea cursive doesn't bother me too much most of the time, but it is an undeniable part of the performance and to ignore would not be accounting the whole performance hence why I call it out (even though Kala did it really well)
  3. WAIIIT I literally thought they both had hats on from the thumbnail, one second lol
  4. Episode 7: So The Battles Begin Team Blake: EJ Michaels vs Tasha Jensen "Tracks of My Tears" Smokey Robinson Results: Tasha Wins, EJ stolen by Niall Who I Would Pick: Tasha Grades: EJ (C+) Tasha (B-) Thoughts and Feelings: I'm so sorry y'all but what was this song choice? What was this arrangement? They did the best they could with it but they could've done really well on a pop/adult contemporary ballad (like "Clown" by Emeli Sande). I'm so sorry to EJ but this was painful to watch, listening he wasn't half bad, but his stage presence is so corny high school theater teacher that I had to stop watching. Tasha was overly dramatic too but at least I didn't want to turn off the TV. A battle of what could've been instead of what it was. I was shocked he got steals Team Chance: Jamar Langley vs Mariah Kalia Results: Jamar Wins, Mariah is Eliminated Who I Would Pick: Jamar Grade: Jamar (A-) Mariah (B-) Thoughts and Feelings: I wish we could've had a different song choice, this was just Courtney vs Ethan Pt. 2 again. That being said Jamar ate, he knew when to push and when to pull and managed to have a really strong presence on stage despite being stuck behind a mic stand, he actually really surprised me. In this performance, I heard the cursive everyone talked about and yea... she could work on that. That along with a few missed high notes lead to a flawed, but I'd still argue interesting, vocal. Jamar is more ready anyways but sad to see one of my few faves go home Team Niall: Gina Miles vs Kala Banham Results: Gina Wins, Kala Stolen by Kelly Who I Would Pick: Gina Grade: Gina (A-) Kala (B+) Thoughts and Feelings: Gina has such an interesting tone and point of view, I really thought she cut through and all of her choices feel so natural and right. That's one my one and only slight criticism of Kala, she did everything well and she did it right but girlie has some cursive in her no? Nobody actually talks like that and while it was well done, the fact that I was able to notice the choice rather than just go along with it. Really really great battle, so happy both ladies moved on Team Blake: Kason Lester vs Walker Wilson "Here Without You" 3 Doors Down Results: Walker Wins, Kason is Eliminated Who I Would Pick: The one NOT in the hat Grade: Kason (C-) Walker (D+) Thoughts and Feelings: Lowkey cannot tell who is who... I think Kason is the rockier one and Walker is the more country one? Walker is so nasally, the twang is just contrived and I wasn't into it. Kason on the other hand sounded a little more natural but I can't help get "ex-boyfriend singing to you outside of your trailer park" vibes. There just isn't star material in either of them and if I was a judge, it would have been a double sashay away Team Kelly: Allie Keck vs Cait Martin Results: Cait Wins, Allie is Eliminated Who I Would Pick: Allie Grade: Allie (A-) Cait (A-) Thoughts and Feelings: THIS IS THE PERSON WE STEAL GUYS WHAT? Allie's tone I just find more interesting and a little more unique especially considering the history of the show so I would throw my hat in her ring personally, but Cait devoured. As someone who criticized her blind for being sleepy, this was such a performance to me. She did look a Christmas tree ornament, but like her control is pretty insane. I'm just blown away with the fact that Allie is gone when I would take over anyone else in ALL of the previous battles Team Chance: Manessah Samone vs Sorelle Results: Sorelle Wins, Manessah Wins Who I Would Pick: Manessah Grades: Manessah (A-) Sorelle (B+) Thoughts and Feelings: Now this might be controversial, but I think Sorelle had the more interesting version of the song, but Manessah sang the song better. Manessah flat out can sing. Like her taste, power, runs, growls, she just was there living the song. This was the Manessah I wanted to see in the Blinds. Sorelle though since they're a trio, they can do things that Manessah and the other contestants this season can't do. I'd argue my favorite moment was at 2:11 when the sisters are breaking it down into induvial parts. I personally cannot deny the talent and vocal prowess of Manessah so I would pick her, but Sorelle deserves to move on and I'm actually really excited to see their arrangements in the future because they're different than groups of the past Guys the battle premiere overall was (surprisingly) good. After a really awful blinds process, I was expecting to drag through this season's review but if they maintain this, I could start to actually give a sh*t about these people!
  5. Yea sorry, I don't look into outside covers until after the whole season because I don't want to become biased, I just want judge what they put forth on the show and not be influenced by their backstory or anything like that. From that audition, I think it wasn't untalented, just really unfocused which would turn me off as a coach, but it sounds like I'll need to check her out after though
  6. Episode 6: The Blind Auditions IM BACK SORRY NariYella "One Night Only" Dreamgirls Results: 4 Chairs, Team Chance Would I Turn: Yes Grade: B+ Thoughts and Feelings: She's a little star. She looks great, sounds great, and had wonderful banter with the coaches. Regarding her actual performance, she was in the driver's seat 95% of the time, but there was tiny moments where she took the car a little close to guardrail. I think she'll need to watch her biggest notes as they were on the verge of going haywire, I'd love her to go a more modern R&B route and be more Vanessa Ferguson than Kyla Jade. Grace West "Maybe It Was Memphis" Pam Tillis Results: 2 Chairs, Team Blake Would I Turn: No Grade: C+ Thoughts and Feelings: I mean she was alright? She wasn't pitchy, but she wasn't terribly exciting (that might just be the song choice though). I watched it once, didn't hate it, but I'm also not sure I'll watch this audition again, there's not much to differentiate her from other female country auditions in the past that were far better than her (Holly >> Grace) Katie Beth Forakis "Ghost" Justin Bieber Chairs: 2 Chairs, Team Kelly Would I Turn: C Thoughts and Feelings: Her voice is pretty... that's kinda it though. My main concern is how thin her voice is, genuinely there is paper thicker than her tone. Girlie is going to get bandzillad at every turn, but I bet that's only one turn because I'd bet all the money to my name she doesn't make it past battles Talia Smith "Don't Worry 'Bout a Thing" Stevie Wonder Results: 1 Chair, Team Niall Would I Turn: D+ Thoughts and Feelings: This was kinda like watching my drunk tia say she could go on The Voice. The beginning wasn't bad, but she didn't really do anything cool, just stayed on pitch (which is the bare minimum for a singing competition show) but this collapsed real fast when the tempo picked up. Put this next to other covers (Hello Tori Kelly) and Talia shouldn't have gotten a turn especially when you're guaranteed to have no other competition from the other coaches OVERALL THOUGHTS ON THE AUDITIONS: This is season is kinda trash ngl in terms of auditions. I gave out no A's which I always give out one or two per round but nobody really blew me away/every single one of them had some kinda flaw. I thought only 2 of the 40 performances were amazing, would only turn for for 15 of the 40 and would argue that 13 of them don't deserve any chairs. My favorites from the auditions would be Holly and Ryley so I look forward to their runs on the show, but overall really underwhelmed by the whole process. Let me know if you guys liked this review of the auditions and want me to do it for battles too!! I had a fun time doing it but if you guys don't care, I don't want to waste your time haha
  7. I'd throw Chloe in there too but yea this season has been REALLY weak in Blinds. Hoping Battles and Knockouts are better but I've heard quite the opposite actually
  8. Episode 5: The Blind Auditions Mariah Kalia "idontwannabeyouanymore" Billie Eilish Results: 2 Chairs, Team Chance Would I Turn: Yes Grade: B+ Thoughts and Feelings: Lowkey... she kinda ate. I'm aware that her pronunciation was pretty choice at times, but her phrasing and sense of timing was really interesting on a song that's gone on to become a singing competition staple. The notes and runs she chose to go for were different that the other versions that I've heard before and you can tell her to knock off the weird pronunciation, but adding creativity and artistry is a lot harder and I think she's one of the ones with the most potential Kylee Dayne 'Fallingwater" Maggie Roggers Results: 3 Chairs, Team Blake Would I Turn: No Grade: C Thoughts and Feelings: Great song... not for this show though. For me personally, it was all over the place. After first she came at us with the volume of a jet plane and then later on started to hold back... at the end of the song... when that's what the performance is supposed to build to. She's not bad but in every moment, I was confused by her choices and I had no sense of who she was as an artist and what she wanted to do with her voice Gina Miles "The One That Got Away" Katy Perry Results: 2 Chairs, Team Niall Would I Turn: Yes Grade: B+ Thoughts and Feelings: That's a cool voice man and it helps that I absolutely love this song. If I had to offer one small criticism, I wish she had really stripped all the way back (like Kelly's version away actually haha) or just gone for the uptempo version, but the midtempo version lead to a really excellent display of her tone and artistry, it didn't create a big moment per say. Hence why her grade says she's great here, but not amazing Kason Lester "It's Not Over" Daughtry Results: 1 Chair, Team Blake Would I Turn: Nope! Grade: D+ Thoughts and Feelings: God my divorced dad would love this guy. This was the douchiest performance ever, I'm sure he's a lovely human but this was bar karaoke at best. I'm SHOCKED he got a chair turn, Blake says he loves raspy voices and he's worked with many amazing ones (Prior, Chloe, Jim, Ian) and so he should know good ones and this was not one of them JB Somers "A Case of You" Joni Mitchell Results: 2 Chairs, Team Kelly Would I Turn: No Grade: B- Thoughts and Feelings: I feel his voice was too big for this song, there was something every so slightly awkward about this whole thing. His falsetto wasn't always there, he just kinda wandered without purpose on stage, and a couple of moments I just sat back and thought of Madi Davis curb stomping him. He's got a really thick, rich voice, I could see him potentially doing better on other material, but this was just a little too awkward for me Ray Uriel "A Glimpse of Us" Results: 1 Chair, Team Chance Would I Turn: No Grade: D+ Thoughts and Feelings: So this is the homie that sent NOIVAS and NariYella home... I haven't seen his other performances yet but I don't want to. This was kinda like watching someone go through puberty on stage, voice cracks galore. Puberty at least offers some benefit, sometimes people get a real glow up, Ray's vocals did not. The falsetto just wasn't there and I kinda hate this song so... sorry Ray Alyssa Lazar "Maybe I'm Amazed" Paul McCartney Results: 1 Chair, Team Chance Would I Turn: N/A Grade: N/A Thoughts and Feelings: Couldn't have been worse than Ray Rachel Christine "Uninvited" Alanis Morisette Results: 2 Chairs, Team Kelly Would I Turn: No Grade: B- Thoughts and Feelings: I like the vibe, I'm just not sure I ended up liking her all that much. She had some moments where things didn't land the way they were supposed to (1:13, 1:21) but she was able to slide in between her head and choice voice really really smoothly which shows potential. She could definitely grow, just not on my team, and I'm excited to see how she grows under Kelly's tutelage Cait Martin "As It Was" Harry Styles Results: 4 Chairs, Team Kelly Would I Turn: Yes Grade: B Thoughts and Feelings: The girl can sing, she clearly can... I just found this a little sleepy. This song needs to be banned because it's just not a good competition song and I think her voice is superior to the material it was on. Around the minute mark, a few notes were off, but overall she has pretty impeccable control and if I was her coach I'd give her better material that is still modern but allows people to actually be moved by what I'm singing, not just impressed
  9. I'll finish the blind audtions recap after work today!! Thanks for everyone reading and telling me I'm so funny (IK I am, but the validation is nice )
  10. Haha, I'm trying. I think this is probably a good time to clear up that I'm not a hater because everything I see is awful, I just don't believe in the idea that everyone is equally talented and that every performance needs to be praised just because "of the courage to stand on that stage is admirable" Sometimes you're pitchy and that doesn't mean you're a terrible human being, it just means that you made me ears bleed for 90 seconds I guess I'm just trying to do a more honest, fair review then a lot of IDF users who cloak their criticisms rather than just owning their opinions
  11. Episode 4: The Blind Auditions Kate Consentino "Say A Little Prayer" Lianne La Havas Version Results: 3 Chairs, Team Niall Would I Turn: No Grade: B- Thoughts and Feelings: Not the most competitive performance, but a good one. I got a lot of Joanna Seranko vibes from her, but Joanna was able to infuse her style into performances and songs that built a resume for a reality singing competition. If this was personal listening, this would be an audition I would play over and over again, but she needs a little more grit or fire if she hopes to make any sort of dent in this season Chloe Abbott "How Deep is Your Love" The Bee Gees Results: 1 Chair, Team Chance Would I Turn: No Grade: D+ Thoughts and Feelings: Was girl singing with the volume on low? Also why was she singing this song in the highest key ever? Girl was reaching for every single note the whole performance like she was 4'6 and the cookies were on the top shelf. I'm also surprised she was struggling this much because she's an olympion? Girl, use those award winning lungs and sing out a little. Really shocked this was a chair turn because this is the cleaned up version so the original would be... she's very pretty though Marcos Covos 'Tu, Solo Tu" Selena Results: 2 Chairs, Team Kelly Would I Turn: No Grade: C+ Thoughts and Feelings: Not my favorite. I actually like the original quite a bit and this felt a little melodramatic. Like homie, we get it's only you but if you were singing to me, I'd might run. A couple of the belts were a little out of reach, but def a chair worthy performance (not mine though) Tiana Goss "Emotion" Destiny's Child Version Results: 1 Chair, Team Niall Would I Turn: No Grade: C Thoughts and Feelings: You know that really good girl in your high school choir? She auditioned for The Voice!! Tiana isn't untalented, she's just a pretty girl with an alright voice. Those last few runs got away from her and this is a song that's been covered by Destiny's Child, Brooke Simpson, Melanie Pfferman, you have to do better when you take on a challenging song and she just didn't meet the bar she set for herself Mary Kate Connor "Stars" Grace Potter & The Nocturnals Results: 2 Chairs, Team Blake Would I Turn: No Grade: C+ Thoughts and Feelings: Ok this might get me censored a little but I think she took a big powerful song that has so much meaning behind and has been slayed by previous Voice contestants (Shelby Brown, Terrence Cunningham, Amanda Brown) and kinda sang it like a p*ssy. This song is so powerful and big and if you don't have the voice to go there, don't because you just look mediocre in comparison. To be a little nice, her tone is very pretty, she definitely should have watched Livia Faith's version and taken notes from that or picked a better song, but she just wasn't good enough here
  12. Ugh thank god people are liking this, as someone who's been on IDF for awhile but been pretty inactive, I was worried that people would find my thoughts annoying. I was mad nervous to start this thread out, thanks for reading! (you both have always been some of my faves to read so this is dope)
  13. Episode 3: The Blind Auditions Ryley Tate Wilson "Dancing On My Own" Calum Scott Version Results: 4 Chairs, Team Niall Would I Turn: Yes Grade: A- Thoughts and Feelings: I am so sick of this song and I've never been a fan of young male contestants so I expected to hate this... and then I didn't. Immediately he changed up the phrasing and showed a lot of taste and restraint. He was a little nervous looking and it wasn't the most thrilling song choice, but all the parts of this audition amounted to something pretty great Jamar Langley "Try Me" James Brown Results: 2 Chairs, Team Chance Would I Turn: No Grade: B- Thoughts and Feelings: I feel like I like Jamar more than most IDF users. The song didn't really go much of anywhere, but he kinda feels like D Smooth but improved upon. He had some tasteful runs and worked the stage really well, it's nothing we haven't seen before, but it was well done Allie Keck "Paris (Oh La La)" Grace Potter & The Nocternals Results: 2 Chairs, Team Kelly Would I Turn: Yes Grade: B+ Thoughts and Feelings: I'm aware that her tone is very hit or miss... but her notes were not. This is hard song, many inferior vocalist would crumble underneath the blaring guitars and tempo changes and Allie handled them with ease. Her sound is a little throaty, she needs to move that sound more into her head but she hit the notes every time and worked the stage like a rockstar. Now we only need to get her some new shoes... Walker Wilson "Hurricane" The Band of Heathens Results: 1 Chair, Team Blake Would I Turn: No Grade: C Thoughts and Feelings: Shocker IDF user doesn't like Walker. I know that I'm literally recapping the season so I'm watching it then recapping right after but... I can't remember a single thing about him. He wasn't bad enough to make me think he sucks, but I also think I can go to every bar within 20 miles and find 30 versions of Walker. He's just not a star, he's a bar karaoke champion in a mid-sized city bar ALI "Killing Myself Softly" Roberta Flack Results: 2 Chairs, Team Kelly Would I Turn: No Grade: C- Thoughts and Feelings: Maybe I'm going to hell for this since she can't help it, but I kinda hate her tone. It's so nasally and she has such poor enunciation, I was just really underwhelmed. Her runs while well done aren't that hard of runs to do? They're really wide runs, they're not particularly precise. She also has essentially no stage presence and maybe I'm really gonna rot for this because she inspires me and is good considering her circumstances but put her next to THE MISS Lauryn Hill... Manessah Samone "Rise Up" Andra Day Results: 1 Chair, Team Chance Would I Turn: Yes... Grade: B- Thoughts and Feelings: Mama has pipes, it's clear she does. The notes were huge and the range was huge, but the taste level was kinda questionable. The operatic take on this song just felt a little melodramatic and while I was impressed, I wasn't moved and this song is a rally cry. It's emotional, powerful, and can bring people to tears and it just doesn't quite hold up to other versions of this song (Kelsea Johnson shout out!!). But with some directional pointing, she could be a beast because like Tasha, it's so much easier to mold than it is to try and create talent that isn't there. Jerome Goodwin "POV" Ariana Grande Results: 2 Chairs, Team Niall Would I Turn: No Grade: C+ Thoughts and Feelings: Ok this is the part where I get run off IDF maybe, but I kinda like Jerome. Or at least the beginning of Jerome, I love the idea of a male take on this song and I think his voice is actually really big and was well controlled... till it wasn't. The end was kinda a mess and if I had waited I probably wouldn't have turned, but I think he has huge potential, he just needs to learn to edit EJ Michels "Easy On Me" Adele Results: 2 Chairs, Team Blake Would I Turn: No Grade: C- Thoughts and Feelings: I'm sorry this song is not meant to be cut down to 90 seconds. Homie was on the pre-chorus at the 15 second mark. Plus he had some really obviously missed notes (0:42, 1:10) and this is the cleaned up version for TV. Plus while the majority of males don't have the same register as EJ, there are enough out there even on this show, who have done the "guy with high voice is shocking" (Davon, Billy, Jordan, Steve Knill, Kris Thomas) and have done it better that he doesn't have enough uniqueness to be a middle of the road vocalist Laura Littleton "Sign Of The Times" Harry Styles Results: 3 Chairs, Kelly Blocks Blake, Team Niall Would I Turn: Yes Grade: B+ Thoughts and Feelings: Yes IK the vibrato was a lot but I kinda rock with vibrato as a big Dolly and Tracy Chapman fan and it's also a choice she can be coached out of as we saw in her last (beautiful) line. Laura is definitely a case of telling her how to hold back but her voice on some old school country? "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right" by Dolly? "I Lied" by Lord Huron and Alison Ponthier. She's definitely a hit or miss contestant with some definite flaws, but I think her potential and fantastic sense of pitch are greater than some poor stylistic choices.
  14. Ahaha I'm glad some people are liking it, I was pretty nervous to start this. What grades are you disagreeing with?
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