by Todd Betzold

 

Another week and another set of battles on The Voice. This show proves, yet again, why it is my favorite show on television.

 

Two singers, one song, one stage...let the fighting begin...again!

 

Team CeeLo is up first this week. He puts up a battle of the Lone Star State when he places the smooth, soulful sounds of Ty Austin versus the blues singer Nakia singing "Closer" by Ne-Yo.

 

After hearing of the song choice, Nakia was worried that the song was tailor-made for Ty's voice, but when he hit the stage he proved that wrong as he stole the spotlight. Ty seemed very quiet on the stage. Even with his beautiful, smooth voice, Ty was overshadowed by Nakia, as he took command of the stage.

 

After the other coaches all said they would choose Nakia, it was time for CeeLo to make his choice. After stating he loved both and that this performance was an extension of his great taste, he chose Nakia to join Vicci Martinez on Team CeeLo for the live shows.

 

Up next, Team Blake. This battle features the newlyweds, Elenowen, whose sweet nature infuses their folksy sound versus Jared Blake, the rocking king of second chances. Shelton chooses "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye for them to battle to.

 

Jared starts out singing first in the battle and he never looked back. He brought out his rock-side as he was working the crowd and the coaches during his whole performance, which even his coach admitted shocked him.

 

Elenowen had some great harmony, but it wasn't enough to overcome what Jared brought to the stage for this battle. In the end, it comes down to whom the coach chooses and in this case, Shelton chose Jared to join Patrick Thomas on Team Blake for the live shows.

 

Team Adam takes the stage next as he has the humble family man, Javier Colon, battling the small town girl with big city dreams, Angela Wollf. Adam chose "Stand By Me" for the battle.

 

Javier, being one of the frontrunners in this competition after his blind audition, does not disappoint in his battle, however, either does Angela. They had some great harmonies when the song called for it and Angela added a little country twang, but I have to admit when Javier sang, it gave me chills. This guy can sing people!

 

As good as Angela did, Adam had to choose Javier to move on to the live shows, as he joins Casey Weston on Team Adam.

 

Last, but certainly not least, we see Team Christina battle it out. We got to see the soulful, R&B singer, Justin Grennan, versus the fearless, hard rocker, Beverly McClellan, as they sang "Baba O'Riley" by The Who.

 

This is one I was very intrigued to see. Having not seen much of Justin in the auditions, I was interested to see how they would match up. Beverly being over-the-top and confident and Justin coming off as more laidback, yet still confident.

 

Justin gets the battle started and comes out strong, especially with singing a song he didn't even know the lyrics to going into the battle. He tries getting the crowd involved and it works. Now, insert Beverly and she comes out even stronger and that rocker was working the crowd and stage. There was a slow part in the song that the two of them worked out amazingly together.

 

There was so much energy during this performance...it brought the audience to their feet. As good as Justin did with the song and as far as he came with a song he started out not even knowing, this song was owned by Beverly, as Christina chooses her to join Frenchie Davis for the live shows on Team Christina.

 

Two down and two to go until the live shows begin and America decides.

 

 

The Voice airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

 

(Image courtesy of NBC)

 

 

Follow Todd @tbetzold