 Thirty tracks from 15 states. Producers Brock Harris and Corey Slutsky really get around. Between the East’s dominance of a cappella, and Harris and Slutsky’s SoCal roots, their compilation album “Voices Only 2005” presents an excellent balance of East and West, and even a few non-coast groups. Indeed, this album is the perfect sample of collegiate a cappella in America.
Sure, that’s a sweeping statement, but take it this way: If you like collegiate a cappella, you will freaking love this compilation. And if you don’t like collegiate a cappella, you will absolutely hate this compilation.
With so much to listen to, there will doubtless be something for everyone to enjoy. On the other hand, it’s also hard to keep up the quality for over two hours.
Many of the common problems that run rampant in the collegiate a cappella world are present:
--a lot of mediocre solos
--percussion that often sounds like a cheap drum-track
--too many singers in general on a specific part, especially basses
--overproduction, killing the emotion of the song
--tons of covers, only one original (a sad attempt by Stanford Fleet Street Singers)
--songs that go on too long
More specifically, the UT Ransom Notes try hard, but don’t quite hit the mark. And although U of O Divisi deserves much praise for being one of the greatest all-female groups in the nation, their track just isn’t produced enough to really fit in with this album. Colorado In The Buff’s “Collective Soul” is pitchy at times. Stanford Counterpoint’s rendition of Coldplay’s famous “Clocks” is ambitious, but the soloist misses. And WashU Mosaic Whispers sing well with “Only in Dreams,” but it goes on for over six minutes!
Despite the drawbacks, the compilation does have much to offer:
--some wicked good solos
--overall excellent production
--most songs are familiar
--a strong showing by some all-female groups
--a huge variety of styles
--an abundance of creative arrangements
--some songs you’ve never heard
More specifically, VT Juxtaposition puts out an excellent track, “Into the Dark,” which stays pretty true to the Juliana Theory original. Cornell Class Notes provide an excellent rendition of “Silence,” and the Harvard LowKeys deliver an impressive “For Me This Is Heaven.” Clemson TIGEROAR’s “Never There” is just plain fun. Boston Aural Fixation’s “What It Feels Like For a Girl” is so well produced, you’ll have a hard time believing it’s a cappella. And even though so many groups over the last few years have hunted the Maroon5 sound, USC SoCal VoCals finally capture it with the delicious “This Love.”
According to the producers, “Voices Only includes not just the ‘best’ a cappella tracks each year, but the best mix of songs, each chosen for a different and specific reason (including soloists, production, arrangements, innovation, etc.).”
Even though you may wonder about a few of these tracks, don’t forget: it’s only college. Considering it’s an album of amateurs, it overall deserves fantastic praise. Producers Harris and Slutsky have fulfilled their promise, providing the “best mix of songs,” placed an ideal, listenable order. This is a well-chosen selection of popular songs that will do well in your car’s CD player, or as a first-time offering to your friend who knows little about a cappella.
Perhaps most importantly, this album has given 30 collegiate a cappella groups the rare chance to be exposed on a national level. It’s just one more place where good groups can be recognized for their superior talents. Although some of these songs are shaky at points, the compilation remains strong. And at $0.50 per track, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.
For more information, or to order the album, visit www.voicesonlyacappella.com.
Dave Brown is a graduate of BYU, where he sang with Vocal Point, and co-founded and directed Noteworthy. When he doesn't have his nose buried in his UVa Law books, he sings and records with his wife in their home studio, and directs the local church choir.
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