‘American Idol’ vs. ‘The Voice’: Who’s the best singer? Vote here.
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Week of: March 27 - April 2, 2012
"American Idol" vs. "The Voice": Our judges (and you) sound off on the best performances of the week.
Will stars emerge out of this season's "American Idol" and "The Voice"?
Roll over the photos below to watch the performances and read what our judges had to say. Tell us whom you
Full coverage: "American Idol" | "The Voice"
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Chris Barton
Music Writer
Joshua Ledet
"idol"
This week's song:
'Without You'
Appropriately unhinged
Ledet's wounded vibrato already sets him apart, but watching him challenge Harry Nilsson's version of "Without You" for sheer, soulful mania was like seeing a sports car reach a new gear. Sure, the tears were a bit much, but after this song ripped out of him it almost would've been weirder if Ledet didn't break down.
Play performance
Heejun Han
"idol"
This week's song:
'A song for you'
A new Han
Han pulled such a 180 this week it's as if the suits at Fox took him aside for a brass-knuckled reminder that "Idol" is no laughing matter. Warmly sincere without sounding mawkish, Han was so hellbent on being taken seriously that he covered Donny Hathaway, one of the most tragic stories in soul. Mission accomplished.
— Chris Barton
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Elise Testone
"idol"
This week's song:
'Whole Lotta Love'
Hitting Zeppelin heights
After proving Stevie Nicks' "Edge of Seventeen" was squarely in her classic-rock wheelhouse in the trio medley, Testone scraped the rafters with a solid if TV-sanitized Robert Plant impression while wearing Steven Tyler's pants. Seems about right: Tyler's been trying to fill Plant's shoes for most of his career. — Chris Barton
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Moses Stone
"the voice"
This week's song:
'I Can't Get No Satisfaction'
Strangely satisfying
This rapper's face-off with country-tinged duo the Line looked like the climax of an '80s musical with the future of a rec center at stake, but Stone owned the stage with some Jagger-like swagger. Though his hip-hop tweaks were a bit clumsy, hearing an overplayed song become something unfamiliar still satisfied. — Chris Barton
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Justin Hopkins
"the voice"
This week's song:
'Faithfully'
Scruffily soulful
Armed with raspy voice, twitchy leg kicks and a just-woke-up-in-a-cab look, Hopkins took a turn with Journey's bombastic "Faithfully" and narrowly lost out to Tony Vincent, who has come from the future to bring a Coldplay musical to Broadway. If Hopkins faces anybody else this week, he easily moves on. — Chris Barton
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Todd Martens
Music Writer
Moses Stone
"the voice"
This week's song:
'I Can't Get No Satisfaction'
The week's surprise
A country/hip-hop mash-up of this song could have been a Frankenstein-like monster, and it would have been if not for the caffeine jolt of Stone. Like a little Black Eyed Pea, he snapped at the verses, dashed off the rhymes and sold the raps with high-energy bluster. — Todd Martens
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Joshua Ledet
"idol"
This week's song:
'Without You'
Why, that seemed real!
An overly covered ballad that tends to inspire over-singing, Ledet always seemed on the verge of losing control. Complete with tears, this tugged at viewers' heartstrings. Yet it was warmly soulful, and the "Idol" judges couldn't stop praising his "emotion." Of course not, it's a rare sight 'round these parts. — Todd Martens
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Justin Hopkins
"the voice"
This week's song:
'Faithfully'
Steady and stern
Cee Lo went with "American Idiot" vet Tony Vincent, but Hopkins had a standout performance on "The Voice" for simply being undramatic. This song is all schmaltz, and Hopkins' raw, earthy delivery avoided the mush. Vincent was roll-of-the-eyes sparkle; Hopkins was bar-band sturdy. — Todd Martens
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Heejun Han
"idol"
This week's song:
'A song for you'
Get in line, kid
Goofy last week, Han was all "Idol"-serious this week, and showed that he has one of the more unique, harder-to-pinpoint tones on these singing contests. His phrasing is meticulous, almost oddly so, and stripped of the silliness, Han appeared rather vulnerable. Still likable. — Todd Martens
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Elise Testone
"idol"
This week's song:
'Whole Lotta Love'
Almost famous
When "Idol" tries to rock, it usually sounds like some "Rent"-like corniness. Testone is playing with fire as the '70s rocker chick, and no one will need to hear this again, but let's be honest. If you tackle Robert Plant and don't embarrass yourself, you're doing something right. — Todd Martens
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Television Writer
Elise Testone
"idol"
This week's song:
'Whole Lotta Love'
A rock star is born
It wasn't just the full band, the flashing lights and the fog machine. When Testone tackled Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," her ridiculously agile voice felt like its own sort of mind-blowing special effect ? and made me feel a whole lotta love. — Amy Reiter
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Phillip Phillips
"idol"
This week's song:
Still Rainin'
Turning the beat around
"I think he's going to be very famous, and that's because he has a certain magic," guest mentor Stevie Nicks said of Phillips. Phillips slayed Jonny Lang's "Still Rainin' " and would have (again) topped my list had Testone not elbowed him out at the last minute. — Amy Reiter
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Orlando Napier
"the voice"
This week's song:
'Easy'
A supple, soulful voice
Facing off against Karla Davis on Lionel Richie's "Easy," Napier's voice showed suppleness, surety and soulfulness. I can understand why someone might opt for Davis over Napier, as Adam Levine did, but I probably would have made a different choice. — Amy Reiter
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Jessica Sanchez
"idol"
This week's song:
'Sweet Dreams'
A dream singer
Sanchez's "Sweet Dreams," by her idol Beyonce, was beautiful and far from a nightmare. She again proved she can make her voice do wonderful things, caressing some notes and powerfully attacking others, mesmerizing us as if, yes, in a dream. — Amy Reiter
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Justin Hopkins
"the voice"
This week's song:
'Faithfully'
Grit and growl
The battle between Hopkins and Tony Vincent was like a match between a lovable mutt and a show dog. And though I admired the show dog's careful grooming, the lovable mutt's grit and growl stole my heart. I was sad Cee Lo Green sent him to go fetch a new dream. — Amy Reiter
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Your Favorites
Poll closed as of 11:00 A.M. April 2
James Massone
"the voice"
This week's song:
'True Colors'
'Blew me away'
"James may not have the biggest voice but he has the BEST voice. He has a unique sound that the industry is missing. On top of his talent he is so humble so people can relate to him." Kate Stockbridge-Perez via latimes.com
"I love James!! He melted my heart with his voice!!" Heather Millard via latimes.com
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Jessica Sanchez
"idol"
This week's song:
'Sweet Dreams'
'The best'
"Hands down, Jessica Sanchez is the best!" Pauline Hizon via latimes.com
"I wish Jessica was on The Voice since that is my show, she would kill in a battle round," Christie Betz via latimes.com
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Elise Testone
"idol"
This week's song:
'Whole Lotta Love'
Robert Plant would be proud
"I wasn't sure if you how would would pull that off, because nobody can pull that song off. You made Robert Plant proud tonight girl," Steven Tyler on "Idol."
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Phillip Phillips
"idol"
This week's song:
Still Rainin'
In on the secret
"You want us to feel the music, you want us to experience it with you, because you know the secret: The secret is it's the best thing in the world," "Idol" judge Jennifer Lopez.
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Justin Hopkins
"the voice"
This week's song:
'Faithfully'
'Love his voice'
"Justin has my vote. Love his voice, personality and style. Will be watching and following Justin...can't wait to see the wonderful things he does with his life. Keep smiling Justin!" Jaylin Chapman via latimes.com
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Photos: "American Idol" contestants / Michael Becker/Fox | Photos: "The Voice" contestants / Mitchell Haaseth/NBC.
Design and interactivity: Lily Mihalik. Interactivity: Armand Emamdjomeh/@emamd
Use the poll below to vote. Make your case in the comments. Poll remains open until Monday. Check back daily for new results.
