Live commentarying The Voice: 4/30/2012

Well folks, it's the semi-finals, and Christina Aguilera is wearing a crown. Of course.

Simply Red, obviously.

1. Team Adam: Tony Lucca is singing "How Do You Like Me Now" by the Heavy. Soul-licious. Well, this is rather sexy. I like that he busted out some blue-eyed soul dance moves to match his voice. Loving it. He sounds great. Tony blends quality vocals with performance.

2. Team Blake: Erin Willett is singing David Guetta and Usher's "Without You." Hate to say it, but Erin sounds off her game. Also, they took out the best parts of the song, the beat and the synthesizer. Not my favorite.

3. Team Christina: Chris Mann sings "Ave Maria." Christina is the anti-creative. Chris's voice sounds lovely and pure.

4. Team Cee Lo: Jamar Rogers is singing "If You Don't Know Me By Now" by everyone ever, but I'd like to hat tip Simply Red. He messes with the rhythm which makes this song sound much fresher than it should. His voice sounds great as usual. Not blown away by the performance, though.

Team Adam and Team Cee Lo team up for "All of These Things That I've Done" by the Killers. These four are quality enough singers to make this an enjoyable performance. I'm pretty fond of all four of these kids, personally.

5. Team Blake: Jermaine Paul is singing Journey's "Open Arms."  This is the most sincere Jermaine has sounded all season. It has something to do with not running the melody all over the place. Until verse 2. Barf. This is not my style.

6. Team Adam: Katrina Parker sings "Killing Me Softly With His Song" by Roberta Flack/The Fugees. It sounds good and soulful. Consistent with her past work.

Blake Shelton's new song "Over" sounds like another quality "driving home late at night" sort of song.

7. Team Christina: Lindsey Pavao is singing "Skinny Love" by Bon Iver. Seems my Birdy comparison last week was apropos. At least this version doesn't strip the song of any rhythm or forward movement. I'll confess Lindsey has grown on me. I don't mind the girl, now that she seems more comfortable on stage.

Team Christina and Team Blake sing Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory." Poor Lindsey Pavao's voice doesn't match these other singers or this song very well. Their harmonies sound pretty good on the chorus, so whatever.

8. Team Cee Lo: Juliet Simms sings James Brown's "It's a Man's World." Juliet kills it. Her affectations, grit, and embellishments fit the lyrics. Love her. She's the coolest.

Conclusion: I would love it if Tony Lucca and Juliet Simms made it to the finals. Who do you want to see in the final 4?

Random comment:
1. Why does Christina have to mention that she sang every song all the contestants sang? I really thought I would like Christina this season, but she has failed me so hard.