'The Voice' Season 4, Episode 18 Recap: Shakira and Usher Bid Adieu to Fan Favorites
(NBC)more pics »This week, America determined the final 10 contestants on the fourth season of The Voice, aka the Season of Shakira's Face. Given the caliber of the previous evening's performances — including powerhouse vocals from Holly Tucker, Danielle Bradbery, Sarah Simmons, and Amber Carrington that earned nothing but praise from the celebrity coaches — it could've gone pretty much anywhere.
Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, and T.I. kick things off with a performance of Thicke's current single "Blurred Lines," featuring guest appearances by Team Usher's Vedo and Team Shakira's Kris Thomas. The whole thing is notable only for Robin's sunglasses and the fact that my fiancé mistook him for Simon Cowell. Usher, who is wearing a diamond-studded dookie chain that looks like it's worth at least one Malibu mansion, is digging it, even if it kind of sounds like a hipster hokey-pokey.
Next up is a "deep secrets" reveal in which we learn, among other things, that Sasha Allen used to have a serious New York accent, Judith Hill had to sing about farts for a children's project once upon a time, Colton Swon is a germaphobe and Garrett Gardner used to teach archery at a Renaissance Faire. Aww. That makes me kind of like him (but after his performance of "I Want It That Way," not enough).
The first two artists cleared until next week are Team Shakira's Kris Thomas and Team Blake's Swon Brothers, who look adorably shocked to have been saved even though their rendition of George Jones' "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?" completely killed it on iTunes.Now Blake Shelton takes the stage with his team for a cover of Brooks & Dunn's "Play Somethin' Country." Since Shelton has assembled a team of aspiring twangers, this musical number is one of the better ensemble moments of the season thus far. Holly even manages to pull off a little attitude (loving the cat-eye makeup, girl).
Next saved is Team Adam's Sarah Simmons, who has apparently been spending her free time dip-dyeing her hair raspberry. Then Team Usher's Josiah Hawley, who pulls some adorable model move when his name is called. Dude is swoonworthy without even trying.
Lady Antebellum's performance of "Goodbye Town" follows, featuring guest appearances by Amber Carrington, Judith Hill, and Sarah Simmons on backing vocals. Surprisingly, Hill sounds the least comfortable delivering her one-line solo, perhaps because she's used to being given more of the spotlight.
More saves: Team Adam's Judith Hill (shrug, fine) and Team Blake's Danielle Bradbery, who is wearing a fantastic dress. I would have picked something much, much cheesier at 16.
Now Team Adam covers The Cure's "Lovesong," only they're not actually covering The Cure, they're covering 311's cover. Of course. In other news, everyone on The Voice has benefitted from NBC's squadron of stylists.
Michelle Chamuel and Vedo share a sweet moment as they wait a dreadfully long time for Carson Daly to announce the next save. It's Michelle (and this is how I feel about it). Then Adam's Amber Carrington gets a save, meaning all three of Adam's contestants have made it through.The final four not yet saved are Holly Tucker, Vedo, Garrett Gardner, and Sasha Allen. Garrett gives a shoutout to his late father in a mini motivational speech, as it's his birthday. Sigh. Shakira looks like she's going to throw up for the umpteenth time this season. First saved is Team Blake's Holly Tucker, followed by Team Shakira' Sasha Allen, who doesn't even have it in her to look happy, she's so stressed.
Bye bye, Vedo and Garrett. The tweens are really going to miss you.
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