Reviews: Recordings
CD Review: Di Vers' "One Day"
Written by Robert Dietz   
Wednesday, 07 June 2006
If you’re into musical theatre, or even if you’re not, you’ve probably noticed the surge in the last few years of Broadway shows that are built around songs by a particular pop artist.  Mamma Mia based on the music of ABBA was an early success story that paved the way for many others including Elvis, John Lennon, and most recently the Four Seasons.  Some of these shows were successful, but sadly most were not.  Di Vers, a choir from Denmark, has taken on the difficult task of creating a musical from the songs of one of the more enigmatic artists of our time, Sting.  The production is titled One Day and the sound track is a very hit-or-miss mix of songs that ultimately I found to be somewhat difficult to listen to.

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CD Review: Colorado College The Back Row's "Unleash The Periscope"
Written by Sean Dargie   
Thursday, 01 June 2006
It seems that Colorado College’s The Back Row is tired of sitting in the back row and ready to step on stage.

Word of “Unleash the Periscope” has seemed to spread like wildfire lately, especially for their cover of Gorillaz' “Feel Good Inc”. (of which my only complaint is that the trademark laughter in this song is a little more maniacal than hysterical, but they're both forms of psychoses so no harm, no foul). This alone is unusual since collegiate debut albums are normally like a baby's first steps; everyone is rooting for the baby but they all expect a certain amount of falls before shnookums makes it across the room, if at all.  The Back Row is more like one of those Animal Planet babies where five minutes after birth it's already stalking its breakfast. 

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CD Review: University Of Oregon's Divisi's "Undivided"
Written by Sean Dargie   
Tuesday, 21 March 2006
How can anyone not like a group that starts their album using the “one, two, three, three” from the Tootsie Pop commercials?  I liked it so much I forgave this group from the University of Oregon for using the stereotypical “never gonna get it” break down that comes standard with most four wheel drive, power window, all female a cappella groups.  Of course it didn’t hurt that the breakdown was tucked away in the middle of a great opening number.

Other such features on this year’s model include octave dropped bass, stylish leather studio production, all terrain vocal percussion and anti-lock arrangements.  Speaking of which, I want to mention something that is becoming more and more elusive in our little section of the musical landscape; simplicity.  There is nothing complicated about any of Divisi’s songs.  At the same time nothing is boring either.  A number of factors contribute to this but the biggest one that stands out to me is their use of space.  

“What do you mean?  There are like fourteen girls and they’re all singing most of the time!  How is that space?”

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CD Review: Talk To The Hand's “The Royal Whee”
Written by Dave Brown   
Thursday, 16 March 2006
After a difficult hour with this album, the listener is left with a furrowed brow and some lingering questions.

What was that?

Although these four Bostonian ladies also have a cassette available for sale, this album was essentially their first release. And it shows. In terms of the album itself, there is an odd flow in the track list, a very common beginner mistake. In terms of the sound, their voices occasionally crack, they are too often quite pitchy, and there is a general lack of breath support all around.

Why is this album called “The Royal Whee”?

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CD Review: "BOCA 2006" (Best Of College A Cappella)
Written by Candice Helfand   
Tuesday, 14 February 2006
Look, you try to review a BOCA and not make the obvious joke. It just dances in front of you 'til you just have to grab it and...OK I'm sure you all get the idea. Besides, at least I didn't try to say anything about those disgusting Boca Burgers. Those things? Nas-tay! (Please don't kill me, vegans…I'm an animal too).

No no, the BOCA I refer to is the newest edition of the Best Of Collegiate A Cappella (2006). Now, my major a cappella obsession started about a year ago, and at this point, I have a hefty collection of a cappella music, between iTunes, my own personal purchases, acquiring every BOCA I've heard a bunch of it in my day, old and new. And rarely, if ever, have I been as excited about a CD as I am about this one (a cappella or not). I'd even go so far as to say it's my new favorite (sorry, BOCA 2k1, it's been a real treat, but it's time for me to leave a new CD in my car for weeks at a time).

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