‘The Voice’ Returns!

I don't usually say "Thank God, It's Monday," but I am so happy to have 'The Voice' back on my television. Coaches Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton are on another mission to find The Voice, over the next couple of weeks they'll find 16 artists for their teams and along the way host Carson Daly will say stuff to remind us that he still exists.

Since this is the first Fall season, the show is competing with Fox's 'X Factor,' and are doing a three night season premiere. I don't appreciate this because hello, I'll be watching both shows, but get those ratings wherever you can, NBC. Things were off to a pretty good start with the coaches opening the show with The Rolling Stones's "Start Me Up."

When it got to the blind auditions, the contestants brought their A-Game and impressed the coaches giving them all some great singers to work with for the upcoming season.

Team Blake

First contestant of the night, Irishman Terry McDermott performed The Who's "Baba O'Riley," a kind of obvious choice for someone with such strong rock roots, but it worked for him. Adam and Cee Lo both pushed the button for him but he made the choice to be on Blake's team. His adorable little son thought he should have went for Adam or Cee but I think Blake might know what to do with his voice.

The first Country singer of the night, Gracia Harrison made the bold choice to yodel with "I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart." All three of the guys turned for her, and she would obviously go for Blake but Adam try to sway her by saying that she was the best Country singer they have had on the show. I don't know about all that but we;ll have to wait to see how far Gracia goes in the competition.

Team Christina

Probably the most unique singer of the night, De'Borah won me and the coaches over with her attitude and style. The daughter of two ministers, she grew up in the church singing gospel music. When she decided to change her look she thought she would be disowned but her parents supported her. While she might be a bit of a rebel, her choice of song wasn't.

I hope I never hear Train's "Hey Soul Sister" again, but De'Borah made me like it for about 2 minutes. Chris and Cee Lo turned her chair for her, but all of the coaches liked her. She told Carson backstage that she picked Christina because her song "The Voice Within" got her through some tough times.

Something that Mariah and Britney will have to get used to is contestants auditioning with their songs. Devyn Deloera decided on "Ain't No Other Man," which I don't think was the best choice because of that beginning note. If you've heard the song, you know it. Adam, Blake and Xtina of course turned for her. Adam thought it was  "ballsy" for her to do one of Christina's songs, a total understatement. Christina asked if she picked that song because she wanted her as her coach, but it didn't matter because she was a fan of Devyn's and she scored a second team member.

Team Adam

It seems like Adam always has the hardest time getting people to pick him. He scored his first team member with Bryan Keith who won me over with Bruno Mars' "It Will Rain." He had a lot of pressure on him going into the blind auditions, his dad is two-time Grammy winner Ray de la Paz, the lead singer of Latin band The Spanish Harlem Orchestra. No big deal! Blake hit his button after one line, then the other coaches followed. I think Bryan will do well with Adam as his coach, and he's already one of my favorites!

Joe Kirkland didn't really impress me with "Gives You Hell," but there was no question who would turn for him. His sound and looks is perfect for Adam's team. I'm actually surprised that Blake even turned around.

Team Cee Lo

Unfortunately, Cee Lo decided to fire Purrfect The Cat, but he does have a new animal sidekick. He introduced Lady The Cockatoo, who I thought was a parrot but whatever, and I think she'll fit in fine on the show. So Daniel Resa has been at this for a while now, he actually auditioned last season, but finally made it through when all 4 coaches turned during his performance of "Somebody That I Used To Know." While I don't think his voice is that good, I liked his spin on teh song and he has been working on becoming a strong performer. Before he picked Cee Lo, Adam gave him the hug he wished he had given him last season.

The final singer of the night was 18-year old Trevin Hunte who delivered the most emotional performance with Beyonce's "Listen." It's so good that Christina is the first to push her button, followed by Cee and Blake. For whatever reason Adam didn't turn around, but it gave Cee Lo a chance to score who I am sure will be one of the best singers in the competition.

For those that auditioned and didn't make it. Young Garrett Gardner lost his jazz musician dad at an early age and since then wanted to pursue music. He was shaky and unclear during "Have You Ever Seen The Rain," but you could tell he really felt the song. While none of the coaches hit their buttons for him, they were stunned that such a grown up voice was coming from a teenager. He left with some great advice, and a hug from Christina.

Another "What are these human emotions I'm feeling?" moments came from Anita Antoinette. Hailing from Boston by way of Jamaica, she sang Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" in honor of her mother. While the coaches heard her performance, they didn't really feel it, but gave her a chance to sing it again a cappella and she gave both me and Xtina shivers. They encouraged her to come back next year and I really hope she does.

Each coach ended the night with two team members each, and the blind auditions continue on Tuesday and Wednesday night. What do you guys think of the season so far? Do you miss Purrfect the cat and which coach are you rooting for?!