'The Voice' finale, Part 1: They came in like a wrecking ball

Going into Monday’s showdown on The Voice Season 13, it seemed like this was either Chloe Kohanski or Addison Agen’s finale to lose. But now, after watching the top four — Chloe, Addison, Red Marlow, and Brooke Simpson — perform three times each (one cover, one original single, one coach duet), I feel like any of the four could take home that fist-shaped trophy.

Brooke, this season’s underdog but the best technical singer of the four, had a particularly strong night Monday, maintaining her momentum from the past two weeks. And the always consistent Red, the lone male (and lone country) finalist remaining, stayed in the game. Meanwhile, poor Chloe suffered from serious vocal fatigue, and an over-emotional Addison faltered at the end of her first performance. And thus, the Voice playing was effectively, and unexpectedly, leveled.

So Tuesday’s finale could be very suspenseful indeed. But before then, we have to recap Monday’s dozen performances. Let’s get to it.

COVER SONGS

Addison Agen (Team Adam)

Lori McKenna’s “Humble and Kind,” as famously covered by Tim McGraw, was a wonderful song choice for this sweet 16-year-old, who always seems so, well, humble and kind. And while the lyrics, which basically read like a list of pro tips from Emily Post, could have sounded treacly and Hallmark-y coming out of the mouth of a less sincere, less mature, less connected singer, with Addison every word took on such gravitas. Unfortunately, at the end she lost some of her usual poise and professionalism, becoming overwhelmed (the song was a tribute to her grandpa) and missing her last few words. But somehow, she made even that flub work for her and she salvaged the situation, creating a special moment that reminded me of a choked-up Kelly Clarkson singing “Piece by Piece” on American Idol. And that is the sign of a true star.

“When you break down and have a moment like that, that’s what makes it that much more real to us. If you don’t feel it, how do you expect us to feel it? Because you did, it allowed us in that moment that much more,” said Jennifer Hudson. “In a way, the fact that you did lose it at the end there was beautiful. Don’t apologize for that. Your connection to life is more important than your connection to music,” assured Adam Levine.


Red Marlow (Team Blake)

Crooning the Garth Brooks version of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love,” Red was very much in his element, doing a straight-up, VH1 Storytellers/CMT Crossroads-style acoustic performance. This was classic Red, just a man and his guitar, and it worked. Red and his coach Blake Shelton have always known what works, and that is why Red had slowly and steadily, tortoise-like, inched his way towards the winner’s circle while more flamboyant singers have gone home. Red has made America feel his love, but could he actually overtake Chloe, Addison, and Brooke? It is possible. Stranger things (like Jermaine Paul winning Season 2, or Christina Grimmie placing third) have happened on this show.

“Red has the ability to sit up there on that stool with just his guitar and his voice, and I gotta say, dude, you blow me away. Not with just your talent, but with your composure and the fact that you have spent your entire life — and it’s evident in that moment — preparing for this. Congratulations,” said Blake.


Brooke Simpson (Team Miley)

It is understandable, if a little cheesy and pandering, that Brooke and her coach, Miley Cyrus, might’ve wanted to take advantage of the feel-good Christmas vibes going around right now — or that they just wanted to duplicate the success of Brooke’s highest-charting performance, the religious song “Amazing Grace” — with “O Holy Night” this week. Well, who cares if it was cheesy and pandering? It worked! Brooke’s performance, complete with gospel choir, was old-fashioned and conservative, but if you’ll excuse the heathen phrase, she sang the hell out of the holiday hymn, unleashing her massive, mighty lung power like never before. This was like something right out of a PBS holiday special or a Rockefeller Center tree-lighting ceremony. Brooke might end up having a really great Christmas, if you catch my drift.