Anyone who’s been watching from the beginning knew the final round of The Voice season 11 Knockouts were going to be tough.  Just like the previous rounds, some losses were harder to take than others.  Let’s hope this season will have the wildcards so some of the eliminated knockout artists can come back!  In the meantime, here’s what went down in the final round of The Voice season 11 knockouts.

One of the things that these knockouts is that it didn’t seem like the choices were made in the moment.  Did anyone else feel like the coaches knew who they were going to pick regardless of how people sang?

Knockout 1: Team Blake

Austin Allsup vs. Gabe Broussard

As soon as I saw who coach Blake Shelton had  paired my heart sank.  It got even worse when I saw their song choices.  Austin Allsup is a straight-up great country artist.  Gabe is a straight up wonder of a singer – but he’s not purely country.  He’s much bigger than any particular genre.

Once Blake mentioned how much he admired how hard Austin had been working over the last ten years it was over.  It wasn’t going to matter how great Gabe sang – he was going to be out.  Blake wasn’t going to eliminate a dedicated country artist.  Plus, I suppose there’s the thought that since Gabe is only fifteen, he’s got more time to grow and develop a career.

Winner: Austin Allsup

 

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At one point this season Alicia says something to the effect of we need to forget genres and just appreciate good music. I’m a person that loves music from several different genres. What those artists tend to have in common is the ablity to convey deep emotion in their songs.

Maybe it’s the song, but I didn’t get an emotional hit from Austin’s performance. It was fun, and his vocals were great. However, didn’t sound like he felt the emotions that are in the lyrics. I felt that way even before Gabe’s performance.

Performance: Gabe Broussard

 

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If there’s a wild card surprise later I hope Gabe comes back!

Knockout 2: Team Miley

Darby Walker vs. Maye Thomas

This was one you couldn’t call beforehand.  That’s because going into it we don’t know much about May beyond her blind audition cool look and outfit.   She has a similar alternative sound to Darby, but it’s more pop/dance oriented.

When they meet with the advisors Tim McGraw and Faith Hill to present their song choices I don’t love either of them.   For Darby this is the second time she’s gone to Florence and the Machine. I’m ready to hear her sing someone else’s music.  Plus, “Shake it Out” is one of her iconic songs.

Unless a vocalist really changes the style on a well-known song it’s hard not to compare them.  Darby has a lower register than Florence, so she’s singing in a different key – but that’s about it.  Hopefully Miley will move Darby away from Florence and the Machine so it won’t seem so imitative of that artist’s vocal style.

At least Darby’s song does show what she does vocally. May’s choice is “Closer” by Tegan & Sara.  Maye said she always wanted to do a “fun” song like this.  That’s all well and good, but this isn’t a good song for showing off vocal skills.

Winner:  Darby Walker

 

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Darby was the favorite going in, so it’s not a surprise that she won.  Maye needed to vocally knock it out the park to compete and her song choice doesn’t give her the opportunity.  She is fascinating to watch though.  I don’t know why, but something about this brought up early Madonna for me.  It’s not her sound, she still reminds me more of Gwen Stephanie.  Maybe it’s the emphasis on movement and presentation?

Performance: Maye Thomas

 

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I do think that between this clip and her blind audition, Maye has two videos that show her off as a club music performer.  Maybe that’s why she chose it?   Regardless, it wouldn’t surprise me if her time on The Voice and those videos really move her career forward.  I could see a smaller indie label signing her to do something like alternative dance music.

Knockout 3: Team Adam

Brendan Fletcher vs Nolan Neal

Ugh! I hated this pairing!  I love both of these guys – but for different reasons.  Brendan is dark whiskey and Nolan is moonshine.  The one thing I wish is that they’d given them the same notes about the guitar.  Nolan is told to lose the guitar so he could perform the song more.  With Brendan they tell him he needs to really feel the song and let it show, but they still let him hide behind the guitar.

Winner:Brendan Fletcher

 

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Even with the guitar, the quality of Brendan’s voice can’t be hidden.  At the same time it still feels like his potential hasn’t been tapped.  Even though I loved Nolan’s performance a bit better than Brendan’s it doesn’t feel like there’s much more to be unveiled.  That’s really why I thought Adam’s choice was the right one.  Still, I was sorry to see him go.

Performance: Nolan Neal

 

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Nolan’s a serious rocker and I’d love to hear more of that out in the mainstream music world.  I hope his time on The Voice opens some doors for him.

Knockout 4:  Team Alicia

Sa’Rayah vs. Michael Sanchez

This knockout was a sneak peek, and afterwords some of the commentary on both performances were troublesome, which I covered here.  The good news is that The Voice stuck with its stated purpose – finding amazing singers. Michael is no James Morrison (we’ll be hearing one of his songs later) – his singing style never rings as heart-felt and authentic. It’s a cool act – but an act.

Winner: Sa’Rayah

What a relief!  You could see that Sa’Rayah was getting more and more worried as Miley and Adam said they thought Michael had won.  Now that the winner’s been decided, here’s something to ponder.  Did coach Alicia Keys set this knockout up so Michael could showcase his piano-playing as an artist?  It’s certainly a performance that will get him attention in that regard!

Performance: Michael Sanchez

There’s no question that Michael plays some serious keys – and yes, that style of singing isn’t expected from a white hispanic guy with glasses.  Although, I’m surprised no one made the Buddy Holly link.  Maybe because Holly played guitar?

Here’s the bottom line.  This is The Voice – not “The Keys” or “The Look.” Blake said it best.

I’m not so quick to give it to Michael, because of what Sa’Rayah just did.   Some of those notes that she just hit and held out, and as cool as what Michael did, Sa’Rayah – she’s just so incredibly talented.

Thank you, Blake Shelton!

Knockout 5: Team Blake

Dana Harper vs. Karlee Metzger

This was probably the easiest knockout.  Karlee picked “Invincible” by Kelly Clarkson. That was a huge mistake. What I said about iconic songs in regards to Darby goes double here.

In general Karlee’s voice is softer and sweeter than Clarkson’s – even when she belts she doesn’t have the kind of weight vocally that Clarkson does. Plus in terms of range of styles and tone Clarkson defies any genre. Her sound goes from country, to pop, to rock, to r&b/soul. “Invincible” has the vibe of the latter and that’s definitely not Karlee’s sound. You could tell from her coaching session that Blake wasn’t feeling she’d made a good choice. Even Faith and Tim were a bit reserved.

In contrast, Blake, Faith and Tim were enthusiastic about Dana and her choice of “You Give Me Something” by James Morrison. It fits because Morrison’s style has that old-school r&b flavor that Dana can really run with! Blake says he just wants to take the strongest singer to the live shows.

 

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Dana’s style is totally from another era! There are shades of Gladys Knight and Patti Austin in her singing. Blake keeps pointing out that there’s no one like her in the competition – and he’s right. While there are several soul/r&b vocalists in the top twenty the kind of soul Dana sings is from a different section of that those genres.

Performance: Karlee

Dana sang first for the knockouts. …It’s possible that Karlee got intimidated and nervous after hearing Dana. I say this because even though the song choice was bad, Karlee’s sung it better than she did here.

 

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Karlee has a ton of talent, but it needs more seasoning in terms of performance. I like that during her coaching segment she talked about how making it on The Voice and getting stolen had given her confidence. Hopefully she’ll take that with her and use it to keep building her music career.

Knockout 6: Team Miley

Sophia Urista vs. Josette Diaz

This is the only Knockout that was done in a montage.  With all the filler that this episode had, I’m thinking they didn’t show it because it was a blowout.  First of all, the only thing these two have in common is that they have Hispanic heritage.  Josette is a sweet 17-year-old pop singers who plays guitar.  Sophia is a 31-year-old hard-rock vixen who tears up the stage every time she performs!

Josette’s song choice seems perfect for her, “Eternal Flame” by The Bangles – but there’s not a chord of her performance in the montage.  All we see is her looking in awe at Sophia who’s singing “I Can’t Stand the Rain” (I’m guessing it’s the Tina Turner version).  From what we see, who could blame her?

Winner: Sophia Urista

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Sophia is a tough one to pair because there’s really no one like her on Miley’s team. The closest would have been Aaron Gibson who has does have a rocker growl. However, that would have meant losing either Aaron or Sophia. Either loss would have been horrible!  As you’ll see in the next knockout, under Miley’s coaching Aaron is really blossoming.  Meanwhile, Sophia is someone whose show I’d go see.  She’s like a crazy mix of Prince, Tina Turner and Mick Jagger!

Knockout 7: Team Miley

Aaron Gibson vs. Josh Halverson

Let’s cut to the chase.  Alicia and Miley clearly are helping each other out.  Alicia basically said she’d been waiting to steal Josh back!   Musically Josh’s soft acoustic guitar is more in Josette’s lane – but he’d have beat her.  Aside from his cool looks, Josh has  because he’s got soul and depth in his voice that Josette’s sweet lightweight pop does not.

Winner: Aaron Gibson

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The quality of Aaron’s voice reminds me of so many great rock frontmen – Sting, Bono, Michael Stipe – and yet it’s definitely its own unique thing. It’s going to be interesting to see how much more Miley gets him to open up performance-wise. If she does, he could be a serious contender for the finals.

Performance: Josh Halverson

Alicia stole Josh, so he’s going to the live shows!

 

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Josh’s biggest competition is going to be Brendan on Team Adam, that should be interesting to see play out.

The Wrap Up – Here Are Your Top 20!

That was the final knockout round!  Here are the teams heading  into next Monday’s  live shows.

Team Adam

 

 

Team Alicia

 

Team Blake

Team Miley

Enjoy these pictures while you can.  Although everyone on these teams will be singing in the 2-hour live show on Monday, November 7th, by the end of it two per team will have been eliminated!  That’s correct.  Eliminations will occur that same night, and it’s cutting down to the top 12, not the top 16.  So, if you want to save your favorites be prepared to watch and vote that Monday!