'Voice' Devon explains Team Adam Levine choice

Published May 31 2011, 17:00 BST  |  By Lara Martin

The Voice contestant Devon Barley has explained why he chose to work with Adam Levine over Cee Lo Green.

The singer, who is taking time off from medical school, was given the option of working with Maroon 5 frontman Levine or 'Crazy' star Cee Lo after his blind audition of 'I'm Yours' by Jason Mraz

"When it came down to it, I grew up listing to Adam Levine," he said during an appearance on NBC's Today Show this morning, where he described his own sound as "poppy soul".

"He was developing his sound when I was growing up and developing mine. The fact we have similar tones sold me on it, and he said we'd work well together - how could I pass that up?"

Barley was pitted against teammate Rebecca Loebe during last week's third battle round, where they duetted on the Radiohead track 'Creep'.

Levine admitted that he was "thrown" by the standard of both singers' performances, which were praised by the other judges, but decided to go on the strength of the battle round alone, advancing Barley in the competition and sending Loebe home.

The Voice continues tonight at 10/9c on NBC.

> Read Rebecca Loebe's battle round exit interview

Watch more of Devon Barley's appearance on Today below:

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