I saved the best for last.
Matt McAndrew — or Tattoo Neck, as my family calls him — is the clear front-runner on The Voice this season. At this point I’ll be flabbergasted if anybody else ends up on top.
Where DaNica Shirey lacks soul, McAndrew makes up for it and then some. He delivers every line like the dying wail of a doomed man.
His first standout performance was a tender rendition of The Beach Boys’ ‘God Only Knows,’ the only Voice performance that week to land in iTunes’ top downloads.
But he topped it a week later with ‘Take Me To Church,’ a song by alternative artist Hozier. I’d never heard this song before McAndrew killed it, but I’ve since bought the album. That’s how impressed I was by this performance (and the song).
Win or lose (and I’ll bet a lot of money that he wins), McAndrew should come out of this show with a career in music.
My lover’s got humour
She’s the giggle at a funeral
Knows everybody’s disapproval
I should’ve worshipped her sooner
If the Heavens ever did speak
She is the last true mouthpiece
Every Sunday’s getting more bleak
A fresh poison each week
“We were born sick”, you heard them say it
My church offers no absolutes
She tells me “worship in the bedroom”
The only heaven I’ll be sent to
Is when I’m alone with you
I was born sick, but I love it
Command me to be well
[Pre-Chorus]
Amen, Amen, Amen
[Chorus] (x2)
Take me to church
I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I’ll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife
Offer me my deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life
[Verse 2]
If I’m a pagan of the good times
My lover’s the sunlight
To keep the Goddess on my side
She demands a sacrifice
To drain the whole sea
Get something shiny
Something meaty for the main course
That’s a fine looking high horse
What you got in the stable?
We’ve a lot of starving faithful
That looks tasty
That looks plenty
This is hungry work
[Chorus] (x2)
[Bridge]
No masters or kings when the ritual begins
There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin
In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene
Only then I am human
Only then I am clean
[Pre-Chorus]
Amen, Amen, Amen
[Chorus] (x2)
Meet Me In Montauk 
You sure did save the best for last! The coolest thing about being 60 and having a 17 year old daughter is finding out about things that would never be on my radar otherwise. The video that accompanies this song is incredibly moving as well. This fellow is just wonderful.
“Flower neck” is a family favorite of ours, as well. As for his future career, I think there were a few moments already when Pharrel was ready to sign him on the spot. 🙂
Yup, I too would be shocked if he doesn’t win, but, regardless, he should have a successful career in music.