Matt McAndrew rules 'The Voice' playoffs

Matt McAndrew has gotten the short end of the stick so far in season 7 of “The Voice.”

His knockout round performance was reduced to a montage, putting him at a tactical disadvantage by limiting his screen time and his ability to connect with the audience. After his version of the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows,” though, it seems producers realized that may have been a mistake. Pharrell even gave McAndrew an unexpected chance to plug his website.

The first night of “The Voice” playoffs shows how perspective is everything. And McAndrew proved that from his point of view, he could still win this thing.

Both Blake and Adam were stoic about the first night of live competition, saying their teams should treat it like just another night.

The new judges, on the other hand, were psyched.

“It’s electric in here,” Gwen said.

“I’m super-pumped,” Pharrell said.

Here’s how the night shook out:

TEAM BLAKE

Taylor Brashears, “Long Time Gone”: Taylor starts out a little off key and a little off beat on the Dixie Chicks classic. She even sounds a little out of breath, which is a sign of nerves, though the coaches were impressed by her confidence. “There’s an ornery side of you,” Blake says, adding that it’s his favorite part of her personality.

Jessie Pitts, “Holding Out for a Hero”: She strips away all the bombast from the Bonnie Tyler hit, leaving it with what Pharrell called “the sweetest of the spots.” Blake calls her the next Lorde, which may be overstating, but she was certainly pretty good.

James David Carter, “Two of a Kind (Workin' on a Full House)”: James David (not James, y’all) does a good job with the Garth Brooks song, but its laid back groove kind of muted his personality, while it really sparks Garth’s.

Reagan James, “Try”: Somehow, she makes the Colbie Caillat song even sweeter, as she stretches it to make it her own. There are moments where it’s slightly off kilter, but her poise and personality help her pull it off. Blake gives her a standing ovation, saying, “I think you’re one of the most important artists we’ve ever had on ‘The Voice.’”

Craig Wayne Boyd, “Some Kind of Wonderful”: His version of Grand Funk Railroad seemed effortless, but maybe a little too easy. Blake called it the performance of the night.

TOP TWO: Reagan, James David (Actually, Reagan, Craig)

BLAKE SAVES: Craig (Actually Jessie)

WILL BE CUT: Jessie, Taylor

SHOULD BE CUT: Taylor, Craig

ACTUALLY CUT: Taylor, James David

TEAM ADAM

Chris Jamison, “Don’t”: It’s a weird choice from Adam, since the Ed Sheeran song doesn’t have a very wide range. Its charm is in the rhythm, which sort of trips Chris up. “You have that intangible quality,” Adam says. Which is actually true, but will it be enough?

Matt McAndrew, “God Only Knows”: This was the most charming performance of the night. Blake said he sang the Beach Boys classic “perfectly.” Gwen said she felt like she was getting to know him, which was interesting, since he’s been mostly hidden on the show so far.

Taylor Phelan, “Cool Kids”: OK, I love the idea that he asked the audience to sing part of the song. During a singing competition! He’s an interesting, unique guy, and it took about half of the Echosmith song for that to show through, but eventually it did.

Mia Pfirrman, “Young and Beautiful”: She didn’t really seem to understand what the Lana Del Rey was about, but she sang it well, and Adam loved it.

Damien, “I’m Not the Only One”: He gave an emotional performance of the Sam Smith hit that brought Adam and Pharrell to their feet. Gwen said the audience gave him the loudest reaction of the night. “The whole country felt that,” Adam said.

TOP TWO: Matt, Damien

ADAM SAVES: Chris

WILL BE CUT: Taylor, Mia

SHOULD BE CUT: Taylor, Mia

ACTUALLY CUT: Taylor, Mia