The Voice

[unionstation]

So I've found myself watching NBC's "The Voice" for the first two episodes. I don't know if I'll stick around for the entire process. I was intrigued by the "blind audition" concept. One thing that has always made me uncomfortable with the talent shows I've watched is the focus on image. Whether they want to admit it or not, they judge people by how they look when they come onstage. With "The Voice", you have to win them over with your vocal abilities. If one of the judges turns around, you're on their team. If multiple judges do, then the artist chooses which team, leaving some dicey decisions. If no one turns around, well, then dreams are shattered. Fascinatingly the ones that miss the chance aren't always all that bad. Sometimes they're just "okay" or their style just doesn't fit any of the judges. Blake Shelton pushes the country aspect, prompting Adam Levine to ask the intriguing "Why do you just want to be a country star?" And it's true that the biggest country stars have that crossover-appeal everyone always talks about. I actually wasn't all that impressed with RaeLynn, the blonde firecracker that sang Pistol Annies' "Hell on Heels"; I thought she needed some extra diction, always slurring her words together. I loved the duo "The Line"; they really energized the place with their performance. They surprised people (including me) by picking Christina as their coach.