Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Nick Jonas (left) joins John Legend, Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson on The Voice Season 18 coaching panel. (NBC Photo)

And, sorry to say, there are some ominous signs.

Judging from the schedule NBC announced back in November, Tuesday episodes will disappear after the blind auditions.

Judging from the same release, the live finals could last just three weeks.

Sound familiar?

Yep, the same happened last spring when producers spoiled Season 16 with a mangled format.

But there is good news, too, and it has nothing to do with the arrival of new coach Nick Jonas.

It’s the fact that The Voice has once again rounded up a talented cast.

And I don’t know about anyone else, but I watch singing shows to be introduced to talented artists I wouldn’t otherwise learn about, not to watch the coaches.

Best of all, many of these artists have already released music — music you can stream now as you develop favorites among the Season 18 cast.

Here are links to 25 profiles of contestants who auditioned for Season 18, complete with information about that already released music and, in most cases, a sample you can check out.

No matter how badly The Voice handles the format in Season 18, these are artists who deserve to be heard.

Allegra Miles
Arei Moon
Cam Spinks
Cedrice
Gigi Hess
Jamal Corrie
Jacob Miller
Joanna Serenko
Joei Fulco
Jon Mullins
Jules
Kailey Abel
Kevin Farris
Mandi Castillo
Mandi Thomas
Micah Iverson
Nelson Cade III
Samantha Howell
Samuel Wilco
Sara Collins
Tayler Green
Thunderstorm Artis
Todd Michael Hall
Toneisha Harris
Zack Day
Zan Fiskum