Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Up until this week, the singers on The Voice have been battling teammates for survival.

No more. It’s a free for all.

Matthew Schuler gets congratulations from the crowd after his performance during the first live round on The Voice. NBC Photo)

And, if this works the way it has in the past, the two low vote-getters from Monday’s show go home on Tuesday.

Here’s a look at my Voice, Season 5, Top 12 rankings, based on what’s happened so far.

Follow the link attached to each artist’s name and you’ll find a bio blog, complete with information on music they’ve already released.

Check back Monday night for a live song-by-song grade blog as the performances happen.

1. Matthew Schuler (Team Christina)

One of the best lines last week was delivered by Carson Daly, after Matthew finished singing “Wrecking Ball.” Said Carson: “The other coaches look like they’ve been hit with a wrecking ball.” Several singers have been consistently very good on The Voice, Season 5. Matthew has been consistently superb.

2. Jacquie Lee (Team Christina)

Adam Levine calls her “the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” Well, she might be just 16, but that’s a full-grown voice she brings to the stage, and Christina compares Jacquie Lee to herself at the same age. It’ll be tough to top “I Put a Spell on You,” but then Jacquie Lee’s been surprising me since the first time she stepped on stage.

3. Tessanne Chin (Team Adam)

Let’s not forget that before Matthew and Jacquie Lee delivered a crazy good ending to Tuesday’s live show, Tessanne had done the same Monday night. She shows a very good knack for picking songs that show off that big voice of hers. And anyone who watched Tuesday’s show got another demonstration of how important song choice can be.

Caroline Pennell has enjoyed success on The Voice stage and on the iTunes charts. (NBC Photo)

4. Caroline Pennell (Team Cee Lo)

I’m not sure her vocals rate a ranking this high, and we haven’t seen lots of versatility from Caroline. But the teen has struck a chord with fans, and that’s what a voting show is all about. Last Wednesday, every song Caroline has performed on the show was back in the Top 200 on the iTunes singles chart.

5. Kat Robichaud (Team Cee Lo)

The rocker from North Carolina needs to create a moment Monday after needing a save to make the Top 12. She’d looked and sounded oh, so good through three performances, but stumbled on “She Keeps Me Warm.” My guess is we’ve seen the last of vulnerable Kat for a while and rocker Kat will be back with a vengeance.

6. James Wolpert (Team Adam)

Given his previous performances, who knew the self-described geek could go acoustic folk, play the guitar and wind up with the best-performing song on iTunes? After that, the biggest question isn’t the quality of James’ voice, but what direction he goes in next. My suggestion: Just don’t try to rap (you see where that got Preston and Nic).

7. Austin Jenckes (Team Blake)

Some singers on The Voice tend to be drowned out by the backing music. I’m pretty sure that will never happen with Austin. If I have any complaint about the 25-year-old from Austin, it’s that his performances could use a wee bit more subtlety. But he hit number one on the iTunes rock chart with “She Talks to Angels” and the song was still in the Top 10 on Sunday morning.

8. Jonny Gray (Team Cee Lo)

The 29-year-old Air Force veteran gets to perform on Veterans Day. Wonder if he’ll go patriotic? Let’s hope Jonny can keep Cee Lo in check with the stage production. Jonny has been consistently very good and got into the Top 12 based on fan voting, but needs to create a Voice moment to move up this list.

9. Ray Boudreaux (Team Blake)

I was surprised the 25-year-old from Lafayette, La., needed a judge’s save to make the Top 12, especially after a pretty impressive performance of “Home.” Perhaps performing third on a two-hour show hurt because he’s one of the more unique male singers The Voice has served up in Season 5.

Will Champlin performs during the live round on The Voice. (NBC Photo)

10. Cole Vosbury (Team Blake)

Just two weeks removed from having the most successful tune on iTunes (Passenger’s “Let Her Go”), Cole landed at number two on the rock chart last week with “Maggie May.” Given the way Voice viewers reward risks and being introduced to new material, I’d suggest something a little more adventuresome than a Rod Stewart cover Monday night.

11. Will Champlin (Team Adam)

Perhaps the biggest surprise to make the final 12 because Adam had to choose between Will and Preston, who seemed to have a pretty big fan base. On the other hand, Will needed saves to survive the battle and knockout rounds. But let’s not forget whom he was forced to go up against — James and Matthew.

12. Josh Logan (Team Christina)

At 33, Josh finds himself the senior member of the Top 12. Not quite sure what he was doing with all the embellishments to “Crazy” last week, but he had been rock steady to that point. He got the Team Christina save over Olivia Henken and Stephanie Anne Johnson to advance to tonight’s show.