The Voice PH Finale Review

The Voice PH Finale (TOP 4) 

September 30, 2013

REVIEW

The Top 4

1.    Team Sarah – Klarisse

On Saturday, she chose a song (The Climb) to show her strengths: kulot and falsetto. But, the song is a little bit shabby. It was a big hit 3 years ago, but people got tired of that song already. And at the same time, the song was too young to be a classic. But it highlighted her singing technique. Meanwhile, her Sunday’s performance with Sarah and Sena (Your Song) was just superb. Excellent blending among the three. It was such a treat. I even replayed it in my recorder actually. It is something that is not just competition-worthy, but also concert-worthy… something you’d be willing pay to watch. Her next song, Open Arms, is another shabby song, but nevertheless a familiar sound. Her birits were not her best in this song though. But her performance was enough to earn her a spot in the Top 2.

2.    Team Bamboo – Myk

Myk’s traditional formula since the blind is to sing upbeat Jason Mrazish type of song with Bamboo tone. His Saturday’s Give Me Love performance deviated from his formula. And it worked! It’s not upbeat, yet I love it. One can feel his emotions with his number.

                           

His Sunday’s performance was another deviation, with Myk and Bamboo singing Morning Rose. Again, this was such a cool and chill number. Like Paolo’s ELESI, it was really entertaining. Honestly, I never heard that Morning Rose before, but I really enjoyed this number, such that I’m going to download later the original arrangement of this song to compare. Finally, Myk sang a Michael Buble - again another deviation from his signature Myk upbeat sound.

Clearly, Myk was trying to deviate from his proven formula. For the Saturday number, it worked. But I guess for the Sunday’s numbers, it didn’t. The songs were not finale competition songs. Ok, Bamboo is really differentiating his artist from the other 3 birit contestants. But I think people miss the signature Myk sound (that Jason Mrazish vibe) that made him reach the Top 4. Myk should know that this is not the time to experiment on a new formula. Thus he paid the price. He was the last placer among the 4.

Also, note that among the 4, it was only Myk who did not win the public votes in the Top 8 show. So the Paolo votes might not have necessarily translated to Myk votes, I suppose.

3.    Team Apl – Janice

Learning from her past mistakes, Janice sang familiar songs at the finale, starting with The Greatest Love of All last Saturday. Well, it wasn’t her best I think. The kulot wasn’t as good as Klarrise’s. The growl was not too full. But of course, she hit the high notes, as always. And last Sunday, it was a surprise. An unexpected mash up on an OPM and an Apl dance hit Time of Your Life with Apl and Lolita. She danced and “beat boxed.” This really came as a surprise, with Janice deviating from her usual high pitch competition songs. And due to this surprise factor, the public liked it… so much! Janice's song and dance number gave a magnitude 7 earthquake at the RWM.  

Finally, yet another indication of Janice’s learning, her unexpected final song was another pop dance hit, We Found Love in a Hopeless Place, which I also like. Janice’s surprises paid off. She gambled and she won. From being the iTunes consistent last placer, she managed to rank higher than Myk.  She should have done this earlier because at this point, no matter how well she sings, she will not gain significant number of new followers. The public already have their favorites which are cast in stone. The artists were just singing for the undecided, or for the followers of those who were evicted last week (if they don’t remain in their teams).

4.    Team Lea - Mitoy

Don’t forget, this guy is a club performer, and as such he surely knows what it takes to get a standing ovation from the crowd: singing high birit karaoke songs that we are all familiar of. He started with a rock version of Anak. Sunday was a fun performance. That Total Eclipse of the Heart, which is the King of Karaoke Songs, was just totally fun and entertaining, due to Vice Ganda. And that surprising kiss was a climax to the comedic act.

Total Eclipse of the Heart - The King of Karaoke Songs
such that people even managed to map its lyrics into a flowchart

Finally, he sang Leaving on a Jet Plane. Mitoy was consistent with his formula since Day 1. Karaoke birit songs. He never deviated from it. Among the Top 4 or even Top 8, he’s the one that showed least variety. He knows his formula will win him votes. And that just happened.  

And of course, the Vice Ganda appearance helped him get even more votes. But the biggest question is why did Team Lea choose Vice Ganda? I understand Sarah’s Sena and Apl’s Lolita. But why Vice Ganda? He’s not a singer and this is The Voice (as emphasized by Mitoy). Oh I forgot, Vice is a singer. He even had a concert which just happens to be the record holder for the highest ticket sales at Araneta. He did a movie as well, which happens to be Philippines' top grosser of all time. Got it? Case closed!

Well, the four coaches did very well also. Their performances clearly show why they were chosen as the coaches of The Voice PH. Just watch the replay to see for yourself.

The Voice PH Top 2

And the Top 2 are… Mitoy and Klarisse!

Janice was third and Myk was fourth.

1.    Klarisse

For the final song, Klarisse sang an OPM song that I wasn’t familiar of. Well, it’s a traditional singing contest song.  

2.    Mitoy

Keeping his tried and tested formula since day 1, Mitoy sang Help Me (is this the correct title?). Told you, this is the guy who showed the least variety. Well, he has a point. If his formula worked in the past, why change?  If that has won him an Eat Bulaga title, why change? If that has earned him followers in the clubs, why change?

Well the final 2 already had a solid following at this point. They were just singing to get the votes of Myk and Janice. Unfortunately, votes were reset to 0, thus iTunes downloads no longer counted. Klarisse was the biggest loser for this news, as she is iTunes' Number 2.  

And then Toni announced the winner… and it is MITOY!

So what happened?

Sabi sa Twitter, Kakao Talk daw kasi gamit pang vote ng mga popsters! Haha.

Myk and Klarisse were consistently in iTunes' Top 2. Yet Myk placed last, and Klarisse did not beat Mitoy. Well, I guess my earlier theory is right. The voting public is excited and fully supportive of Mitoy. They will spend to vote him. But they will not spend to download his music. As for Myk’s followers, they don’t care about the competition. They will download Myk’s song because they want to hear him over and over again in their playlists. As for Klarisse, votes were reset to 0, thus no iTunes downloads were counted. OR this is another theory… the iTunes download might just really be a neglibible number, as people would rather download their songs on Piratebay or buy them at Metrowalk and Makati Cinema Square. Only ABS-CBN knows as we don't have the absolute numbers.

I asked my Mom who she was rooting for. She said she’s for Mitoy. If she had 1 vote to spare, she would have surely given it to Mitoy. But note that although my mom watches The Voice regularly, I never saw her buy a CD nor saw her watch a concert. I guess this applied to the rest of the voters. Pinoys are just so in love with biriteros, to see them do their stunt in a contest such as this. Thus they win big. Review your history: Erik Santos, Jovit Baldevino, Roel Manlangit, Jonalyn Viray, Frenchy Dy, Angeline Quinto, and of course Regine V.   Season 2 wannabes, you know what it takes to win the crown, ok?  Random thought: If Lea Salonga were not a part of TVOP, Radha’s and Paolo’s songs will probably end up in her playlist. BUT I’m wondering if Mitoy’s Bulag will get there as well?

Anyway, I may not be a Mitoy fan. But with the sound of his BULAG single, his songs are not really marketed for me. I'm sure he will be the next April Boy Regino. And, I am also sure that TVOP is making history. The artists (like Myk, Paolo, Klarisse, and maybe Darryl, Morissette and Radha) will be the face of the music industry. As I mentioned in my previous blog, the winner gets an MCA-Universal contract due to its global partnership with The Voice, while Star Records is not contractually prohibited to make a profit out of the rest. The Voice Season 1 is such an overwhelming success. The TVOP artists will surely be dominating the airwaves and ASAP stage soon enough, most specially Team Bamboo's artists due to their uniqueness and musicality. Season 1 of any contest is always the most successful. Can’t wait to get copies of the albums of Paolo, Myk and Klarisse. And maybe some are also just as excited for the albums of Darryl, Morissette and maybe Radha. 

Another thing, I said before that The Voice PH should be renamed to The Voice of Sarah G, because this show will crown the artist from the most popular coach. Luckily I was wrong. Team Sarah was just a second placer. The masa votes prevailed. At least it's about the artist, not the coach. 

So, that's all folks. Till Season 2... 

The Voice of the Philippines - The Live Shows Review - Batch 2

The Voice of the Philippines

The Live Shows 

Batch 2 - September 1, 2013

REVIEW 

Team Bamboo

1.    Angelique 

Good performance. But as Sarah verbalized it, the song was not challenging enough for the public to vote her. See, even Sarah knows how important biritan is in a competition like this. I think she’s a bit over confident, hence she didn’t rearrange the piece to insert high notes. You can see it in her comment in TheVoiceLife, where she implied she’s got better and sexier voice than Paolo. Well Angelique, you have quite underestimated your coach’s horse.

2.    Paolo

I’m a Paolo fan starting from the Battle.

Like Lee, Paolo has suffered (in a lesser scale than Lee) criticisms from netizens because they feel the Cordovales was better during the Battle, and Bamboo was again playing favorites.  Let’s go into that first. For me, Paolo deserves that Battle. His voice is so unique, cool and smooth. So pleasant to the ear. As for the Cordovales, their voices are pretty much… well ordinary, though they blend well. Two ordinary voices, blending well would sound great. My point is, the Cordovales is just as good as any two ordinary pinoy singers doing some right blending, whereas Paolo’s unique voice is so pleasant and well suited for this serenade piece. To others, it’s not the uniqueness that should be the basis for judging, but rather the artist who did better on the battle alone. Well this I say to Cordovales supporters... close your eyes. If you do, you’d hear which voice is more pleasant to listen to during this epic battle. The Cordovales just seemed to have stood out because their voices were louder (what do you expect? 2 voices against 1) and they were more animated. But it’s not about the loudness; it’s about the style and voice quality and suitability to the song piece.

Now, going back to the Live. Paolo proved it! He can sing, and he can sing exceptionally well! He’s got a voice that can capture a Gretchen Barreto’s heart and a face that even a straight guy Robbie could not deny. The votes proved Bamboo right. Paolo and Bamboo were vindicated. And Lea agrees (again, I value Lea’s and Bamboo’s comments, as they normally don’t step back in giving honest and frank criticisms if they find any fault). Their WOWs and CONGRATS to me has more value than Sarah’s and Apl’s (as they keep giving praises sparingly). And the netizens also agree. If there were 40% Paolo dislikers during the Battle, they are now a negligible 5% on the Live performance on Youtube. Congrats Paolo, you are indeed Bamboo’s gem. I’m guessing Paolo and Myk will be Bamboo’s final 2. But in the end, Myk will be in the final 4 (I’m not complaining though). Even if Paolo makes it in the final 4, he will not win against the power belters for reasons I have mentioned several times. But Paolo fans need not be sad. Paolo is now a star. Give it a month or two after The Voice ends, and you’ll see him on ASAP.  By the way Paolo, I know you play the guitar well. Why don’t you pull that card out and be a WGWG (or AGWG), and compete head-on with Myk.  

Final note… I like Richard Poon, but I think I’m liking Paolo even more. His tone is just amazingly unique, cool and smooth, way better than Mr. Poon. Can’t wait to buy his album.

3.     Isabella

Another Bamboo talent. Isa is very much like Paolo. The Lives proved Isa can sing. But since she’s from Camp Kawayan, there are a few haters, saying Angelique is more deserving. Well, based on the Lives, Isa indeed made a stunning performance. This pretty girl dressed elegantly in angelic white, revealed her unique tone, with her soulful rendition of You’ve Got a Friend. Some even compared her soulful voice to Alicia Keys. I was impressed. Like many others, I initially thought she was an Agot Isidro – decent pretty lady who can sing, but not as well. I was proven wrong. Some haters say she’s so OA. I disagree. Remember Isa is a worship leader. When workship leaders sing, they sing their hearts and even intestines out, baring their souls to worship God. That’s just how she sings… and not doing it primarily just to win your votes… I think!

Result: In the end, Isa remained and Angelique was axed. Happy? We got no choice. One has to leave.

Obviously, as you might have guessed, I’m a fan of Team Bamboo. I admire their originality, voice quality, musicality and soulfulness. These might not be winnable traits, but are certainly what I want to see in the local music scene. We  already have a lot of good power belters like Angeline Quinto, Jonalyn, Sheryn Regis, Mau, Frenchie Dy, Regine V., PGT 3 winner, Jovit (some already laos)… nakakaumay na. We need a new breed of talents with unique tones and styles (like Yeng, Bamboo, Zia Quizon, Sitti, Aiza, Richard Poon, Rachael Ann Go, KZ, and Ann Curtis (kidding). Even Sarah has been reinventing herself, doing tasteful versions songs like Just Give Me a Reason & Englishman in New York with Bamboo without unnecessarily making birits.

Team Sarah

I don’t like the way Team Sarah was divided into 2 batches. I like all three of Team Sarah’ batch 2, and I dislike all three of Team Sarah’s batch 1. Now, one of batch 2 will leave.

1.    Yuki

Nice performance. But pretty much obvious that he’s got sore throat. Still a great show.

2.    Maki

Great performance. High range with nice tone. Very soulful. But I feel his song is a bit overstyled. I prefer his much simpler song during the battle. His range is insane.

But he seems to be a Jay Durias clone. Will this fly? Could be. His difference with Morissette is Jay Durias is not active in the industry anymore. Fans miss his voice, whereas for Morisette, the original Sarah is very much active, popular and slowly becoming an institution.

3.    Klarisse

My bet from Team Sarah. She can birit, kulot, and do all the technicalities of singing. Much like Rachael Ann Go. She’s fresh, yet she’s so pro. I hope she wins over Morissette. Why?

Let me say this… this season’s winner will be from Team Sarah, for sure. Why? Sarah has got tons of loyal followers. They will vote whoever is left with Team Sarah (even if they don’t like that artist). I hate this, but this is what will happen. I’m already seeing comments from popsters in social networks encouraging fellow popsters to get ready to vote, as they want the first TheVoicePH winner to come from Team Sarah. It totally defeats the purpose. The Voice of the Philippines will not be the best vocal talent, but will be the artist from the most popular coach. If your bet if not from Team Sarah, accept this now and you won’t be disappointed. With this, I just hope it’s Klarisse from Team Sarah. Klarisse has the qualities of a Bamboo talent. Unique quality tone and original. Remember, Bamboo and Sarah were fighting for Klarisse during the blinds.  By the way, I’m not a Sarah hater. I actually like her so much. Pretty, simple, great singing style, can dance and act, humble and kind. I just don’t like the concept of The Voice of Sarah G.

Unfortunately, Klarisse was not voted by the public. Thank God she was saved by Sarah. I hope the reason she was not voted is just because she sang an unfamiliar song, or it’s just difficult to spell her name.

Team Apl

4.    Penelope

I didn’t like Penelope before the Lives due to her doll-like voice (much like Tuesday Vargas). But when she sang Ordinary People, I became a fan. This for me is one of the top 3 Live performances. It was very sexy and classy, and it was perfection as Lea said it. Some pronunciation problems, but she gave justice to my favorite John Legend song.   

5.    Tristan

Tristan indeed sounds like Bruno Mars. His problem is, sometimes he hits the high notes, sometimes he doesn’t. During the Battle, he was like mommy Eva, forcing that super high note in his song. In the end, it seemed off-tune. But for the Live, I think he hits the notes. Unfortunately for him, he’s up against Penelope and Janice, who are far better singers with zero faults. Knock-out!

6.    Janice

Well, she truly flew high. She’s the Airbus of the show. J  She’s a pro, so to me, Radha and Janice are quite the same. She belts like a jumbo jet A320, thus has a chance of winning the votes of birit-loving pinoys.

Team Lea

7.    Diday

She can sing. But she lacks the volume, emotions and sexiness needed by her big Adelle song.

8.    Kimpoy

Unique voice, like no other. We don’t have a Kimpoy in the music scene.  Her Hallelujah was far from Bamboo’s, but certainly heavenly. Unfortunately, he’s not popular, maybe because he looks like a guy, at the same time, a girl, at the same a lesbian, and at the same time, a gay? But it shouldn’t matter. What matters is his voice.

I don’t know if he hits the last few notes in his song, but Lea said he did. So I’ll take it. Well done. I miss his performance with Taw. It was truly magical.

9.    Mitoy

Halimaw indeed. Big production number. Big voice. Big range. But for some reason, I don’t like him. Though he’s got a very high range, I don’t like his tone. 

Forget about the range for the meantime. Compare his singing tone with Paolo Onesa, Bugoy or Martin Nievera, singing a song which only requires low notes. Does Mitoy compare in terms of vocal quality? This is what I’m saying. If a singer shows high range, we pinoys instantly get impressed. We equate it as a measure of singing excellence, easily overshadowing the singer with the better tone. Will he deliver a good performance if he sang what Darryl Shy, Paolo or Lee Gane had sung in the Lives? I think not. I don’t know how to describe it, but his singing voice sounds like a speaking voice, lacking depth and quality. Yes, he’s got the range of James Ingram, but his tone is far from Ingram’s, thus I’m not impressed.

But it’s just me, against 10M pinoys. Clearly, the crowd likes him, and he proves it by getting the groove of Resorts World and 80% of the votes. He makes birit like no other. If there’s a non-Team Sarah that has a high chance of winning The Voice, it’s this monster. I’m not happy L. If he wins, will he have a staying power in the industry? Hmmm… well, he’ll be up competing with the market of Jovit Baldevino, Jed Madela, Ralph Salazar, and that PGT 3 winner. Will I keep his Bakit Ako Mahihiya and Don’t Stop Me Now in my ipod? No! I’d much rather listen to the quiet but soulful jamming of Team Bamboo (please adopt Klarisse and Penelope) during my chill time. How about you? Will you?

Fearless Forecast:

Next to be eliminated:

Team Bamboo: 1. Lee Grane 2. Isa

Team Sarah: 1. Eva

Team Apl:  1. Jessica

Team Lea: 1. Darryl 2. Kimpoy

About my review. This is just my opinion. I’m in no way a vocal expert. I can’t even sing. :) I’m just an ordinary viewer who appreciates good music and good talents.