Adam, Blake, Gwen and Pharrell pose for a photo before filming the Knockout Rounds. (Photo property of NBC and United Artists Media Group)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds and Knockouts are over!
Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams have each built a team made up of five of the greatest undiscovered artists in the country.
So before the Top 20 takes the stage for the first round of Live Shows…I have ranked each team from best to worst! I have also named two-to-three artists who I believe have the chance to move on from the Live Playoffs and into the Live Rounds.
I hope Craig Wayne Boyd and Jessie Pitts become the nucleus of Team Blake during the Live Playoffs. (Photos property of NBC & United Artists Media Group)
- Team Blake (Taylor Brashears, Craig Wayne Boyd, James David Carter, Jessie Pitts & Reagan James)
This is Blake’s season to lose! He has made some great decisions in the Knockouts that will pay off in the Live Rounds. One decision that I was satisfied with was his decision to pull an “Adam” and “Christina” by stealing Craig Wayne Boyd back from Gwen. Craig has tremendous stage presence and will definitely bring his unique brand of country rock to the Top Six. Jessie Pitts is another artist that viewers need to watch closely as her angelic vocal performances such as “The Story” and “Your Song” made viewers smile. While Taylor, James and Reagan are also contenders, they have to be very careful with their picks if they want to move forward in the competition… because as of this moment it is a three-way-tie for Blake’s last spot.
Taylor John Williams, Anita Antoinette & Ricky Manning are the Team Gwen standouts (Photos property of NBC & United Artists Media Group)
- Team Gwen (Anita Antoinette, Taylor John Williams, Ricky Manning, Ryan Sill & Bryana Salaz)
Gwen made some surprising moves in the Knockouts that put her team in my number two spot! One surprising move was choosing Taylor John Williams over entertainer and fan-favorite Troy Ritchie! Taylor grew on me with his performance of “Mad World,” but he needs to stop singing songs from American Idol: Season Eight (as multiple Internet commentators stated) and deliver tracks that would melt away his competition! Another bold move Gwen did that put her closer to the finale circle was stealing Ricky Manning from Pharrell. So far this competition, Ricky has delivered bold performances with “Love Me Again” and “Wrecking Ball” and I believe that he could be this season’s dark horse. Finally, Anita Antoinette is a force to be reckoned with and if she plays her cards right…I can see in both the semi-finals and the finale!
Pharrell might be the CeeLo of Season Seven as three of his top contenders could be women! (Photos property of NBC & United Artists Media Group)
- Team Pharrell (Elyjuh Rene, DaNica Shirey, Luke Wade, Sugar Joans & Jean Kelley)
During the conclusion of the Season Seven Blind Auditions, I stated that this season was Pharrell’s to lose! However, Pharrell made horrible decisions in the Knockouts that could bite him in the butt! Keeping both Elyjuh Rene over Ricky Manning and Luke Wade over Taylor Phelan sent viewers into a frenzy on Twitter! However, Pharrell can bounce back if he keeps solid songbirds DaNica Shirey, Jean Kelley and Sugar Joans in the game.
Expect both Damien & Taylor Phelan to carry Team Adam deep into the Live Rounds. (Photos property of NBC & United Artists Media Group)
- Team Adam (Matt McAndrew, Chris Jamison, Taylor Phelan, Damien & Mia Pfirrman)
Is it just me for does every Voice viewer think that Adam Levine needs a break from the show? For the second season in a row, the two-time Voice coach has produced a weak line-up! The Maroon 5 front man should have kept Blessing Offor, Toia Jones and Alessandra Castronovo in the competition…because all three of them could have easily won this season for him because of their artistry alone! The only artists on Team Adam that are worthy of making it deep into the competition (and who have a future after the competition is over) are former Team Pharrell member Taylor Phelan and four-chair-turn Damien!
Do not forget to set the DVR as The Voice will air THREE nights next week!
What are your thoughts? Who are your favorite artists? Which team will win this season?
