Clare Henney: The Voice Season 5 Live Rounds Teams

The latest season of The Voice in the US was something that I was not particularly excited about. It marked the return of original coaches Christina Aguilera and Ceelo Green after a season of having them replaced by Shakira and Usher. I liked the latter rather than the former so having the original coaches back was not that appealing to me. I had this feeling that it would be a bit blah compared to the last one.

Thankfully, this season (and one comeback coach) has proven me wrong. Surprisingly, Christina Aguilera has come back as an exceptional coach. She picked really good artists for her team and her coaching style is better than what she had in the past three seasons that she was on the show. She appears to be more insightful and more invested this time around – something that Shakira and Usher showed in season 4 to be traits that a coach should have.

I don’t know how they did it, but almost all of the people who made it to the show were amazing singers. So many blew me away at the blinds and I was disappointed when some of those who were let go at the knockouts weren’t stolen by other teams (like Jacob Poole, for example). The live rounds are about to start and this time it’s America that will choose who stays and who goes. Here’s what I think about the teams that are going to the live rounds:

Team Adam

To me, this is the team to beat. You’ve got power belter Tessane Chin, soulful Preston Pohl, pop artist Grey, rock vocalist Will Champlin and big-voiced James Wolpert . All five artists have a specific genre that will appeal across the different people who watch the show. These singers blew me away in the knockout rounds and I have a feeling that they will continue to do that in the live rounds. At this point for me the weakest would have to be Grey but with the lives you never know – their charm and appeal with the audience can make or break them no matter how good they are.

Team Blake

I’ve read it before in other blogs and I have to agree: Blake is not going to win again this season. Not with the kind of artists the other teams have. He has a strong team, that is true BUT the other teams are stronger. Charisma-wise only three of them stand out: Nic Hawk, Shelbie Z and Ray Boudreaux. If I had to pick from those three I’d say Shelbie has the charm and stage presence needed to win votes and Ray has that unique sound and good lucks that could bring him further along.

Team Ceelo

Again, this is another strong team. Really good singers but I feel that some of them lack the stage presence and personality to pull it off. Kat Robichaud is an intense singer but sometimes she can be a little TOO intense. Jonny Gray has a unique voice but he tends to be on the awkward, shy side. Another shy but great singer is Caroline Pennel, who I think is the front runner in this group.

Team Xtina

Christina has become a better coach this season. Proof of this is how it was her artists that were often taken during the steals. She really brought out the best in her team. Unfortunately, that made other teams stronger than hers. There are only two artists who stand out for me in Team Xtina: Matthew Schuler and Jacquie Lee. I don’t think anyone can deny how good those two are as singers. Matthew’s got a powerful voice and if Jacquie can pull off a more confident performance to match her talent she could actually be for me one of the last people standing because of her unique sound. The Voice Live Rounds are coming up on the show; I can’t wait to see it!

Photo Source: The Voice Official Site