‘The Voice’: Evan McKeel Triumphs With Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground”

If you like easy listening, you’re going to love Monday (October 19) night’s episode of The Voice. Coaches Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine were all about that Love Songs With Delilah playlist as six more pairs faced off during the Battles. An errant “Higher Ground” got through as the most edgy song of the night, but for the most part it was dedications to Deborah in Spokane all night long.

Perhaps it’s a strategy to save the bigger performances until later in the competition, but it was a bit snoozy. Here’s who managed to stand out, at least comparatively, on Monday night:

Team Blake: Blaine Mitchell vs. Blind Joe

“Do I call you Blind Joe?” Blake asks his contestant during rehearsals, expressing our collective discomfort for his self-chosen nickname. The answer is a big time yes, so just get used to saying “I did not make up this name!” anytime he comes up in your regular Voice conversation.

Blind Joe goes up against Blaine Mitchell, who, as a reminder, sings “alternative” music, like Train. The two perform Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock And Roll,” and it would totally entertain your drunk aunt who loves dancing at weddings. Blind Joe throws in a lot of spoken word, while Blaine works the stage.

Gwen points and asks Blind Joe, “Is that your family over here?” Yikes. She redeems herself by adding, “It’s so incredible how we are all given our own gifts in life, and yours was to sing and play that guitar the way you do so uniquely.”

“It was fun, and that is what is was meant to be,” says Blake. “As far as singing goes, it was a dead tie.”

…but even in ties there are winners. Blake advances Blind Joe, and Adam jumps in to steal Blaine.

“The revelatory thing for me was Blaine,” he says. “This guy’s a rock ‘n’ roll star.”

Team Adam: Cassandra Robertson vs. Viktor Király

Hungarian pop (sort of) star and four-chair turner Viktor Király goes up against the previously un-televised Cassandra Robertson. Based on her un-televised one-chair turn, the odds are not in Cassandra’s favor, but she ends up blowing all expectations out of the water in their duet of Tony Rich Project‘s “Nobody Knows.” Her powerful voice has a range that knows no limits, while Viktor gives a performance best defined as “competent.”

“There was just something so magical and undeniable about your performance, so I would give it to you,” Pharrell tells Cassandra.

“You guys are both so technically skilled, but your ability to connect not only with just the vocal but with each other is that lethal combination that is so amazing,” Adam tells his contestants.

The (still bald) coach sees more potential in the Hungarian export, so he advances Viktor to the Knockouts.

Team Gwen: Chase Kerby vs. Korin Bukowski

Gwen obviously has a favorite in mind when she assigns Regina Spektor’s “Samson” to this season’s manic pixie dream girl Korin Bukowski and candy store guy Chase Kerby. This song is definitely on the mix tapes Korin must ironically make when she’s not riding fixed gear bicycles, and it’s one that forces Chase into his falsetto for an uncomfortably long time.

“I found myself loving your voice – both the falsetto and the regular voice – but the transition was a little rough,” Adam tells Chase.

“I’m so mama bear about them that when you guys have anything to critique I’m getting seriously pissed off,” says Gwen, scaring her fellow coaches. “Music is about emotions, and there is nothing more emotional that what I just heard. I die for that performance.”

When it comes time for Mama Bear to choose, she kicks Chase out of the cave, and picks Korin.

Team Pharrell: Evan McKeel vs. Riley Biederer:

Talk about playing favorites! In one of the best moments of the Blind Auditions, Pharrell asked Evan McKeel to sing Stevie Wonder after his audition. The four-chair turner crushed it, and gets the chance to sing Wonder’s “Higher Ground” in the Battles. Evan goes against the previously un-televised Riley Biederer, a pop singer that mentor Missy Elliott describes as having “the stank.” Their harmonies are impressive, but Evan is the clear victor.

“You destroyed that performance,” says Blake to Evan, but adds, “I think the person with the most unique sound is Riley.”

“What an amazing job you just did. Your choice of notes, you really made usage of the whole entire stage,” Pharrell tells Riley. “Your range is stratospheric,” he tells Evan.

Though Evan sails through as the winner, Gwen jumps in to steal Riley. “I like your voice. I like how loose your are on stage, your presence,” says her new coach.

Team Gwen: Braiden Sunshine vs. Lindsey Elm

Who’s to judge what goes on in Gwen Stefani’s head as she makes some of these Battle decisions? Is it possible she’s masterminding a new fashion line while 15-year-old Braiden Sunshine and four-chair turner Lindsey Elm are on stage, or does she have a spot in her heart so soft for barely post-pubescent teens that she fails to notice Lindsey’s on point performance of Howard Jones’ “No One Is to Blame?”

“Lindsey had this won right up until Braiden hit us with this note at the end,” says Blake. “We’ve seen just the tip of the iceberg with this kid.” Not you too, Blake!

“Your star really came out tonight,” Gwen tells Lindsey, praising her tone and control. “Braiden, for me to be able to work with someone your age and just someone as cool as you are, it was an incredible experience for me.”

Despite her use of past tense, she picks Braiden, whose shocked look is absolutely warranted.

Team Adam: Andi & Alex vs. Chance Peña

The final battle of the evening pairs 15-year-old Chance Peña against identical twin beauties Andi & Alex. The twins have been harmonizing since the womb, which is a rare practice opportunity, but Chance feels like the missing piece to their trio. It’s a shame that some one (or two) will have to go, because Andi & Alex and Chance harmonize beautifully on The Calling’s “Wherever You Will Go.”

“The harmony is candy in my ears,” Gwen tells the twins, adding, “If I was 15, I would have Chance’s posters in my locker.” But you’re not, so that’s a weird thing to say.

“The sound that is created when the three of you sing together is something real. I actually believe that a group should be formed between the three of you,” Adam says.

Forced to advance someone, Adam chooses Andi & Alex. Blake doesn’t miss a beat in stealing Chance.

“There is something completely magical about your voice. I guess I missed it in the Blind Auditions,” he says. “We’re going to the finale, man.”

You hear that, Chance? A finale promise! You have nothing to worry about for the next few rounds. Kick back and relax, buddy: Blake’s got you covered.

There’s just one more hour of The Battle Round left, and just one coach – Pharrell – has a steal left up his sleeve. Pharrell has seen some pretty talented performers get the boot these past weeks, and that steal must be burning a hole in his pocket. Find out who has what it takes to earn Pharrell’s steal when The Battle Round wraps up tonight.