CASA - the contemporary a cappella society - CD Review: "BOCA 2006" (Best Of College A Cappella)

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).

From start to finish, it's just high-impact, if a bit over-produced, good times. Even with the super-high production level though, it's still a fun listen, and nothing can take away the fact that these are talented groups behind those effects. And usually, I'm a big advocate for a more natural sound, but this CD won me over to the "Hey, there can be a lot of effects and still be awesome and human!" side of the fence.

To start... well, what can I say, I liked the boys. "Let's Get It Started" (from the Tufts 'Bubs, and minus that Kevin Little-esque beginning, that isht has to go), "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" (UVA Hullabahoos), and, "Renegade" (my favorite song on the CD, hands down, thanks BU Dear Abbeys!), "Tribute" (Duke Pitchforks), "Crazy Train" (UNC Clefhangers)…all yummy, with amazing production, awesome and engaging soloists (speaking, of, both of UVA's soloists, as well as UNC's Trick Daddy soloist, call me anytime), and awesome arrangements that come alive with solid group work. And since I was practically a boy when I was younger, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" was a particularly delightful trip down memory lane, and a special kudos to the guys remembering ALL of the little interjections (esp. Michaelangelo's "PARTAAAAAAAAAAY!"…Ok, let me calm down before I start talking about how much I loved Bebop and Rocksteady). On the reverse side, the party that is this CD takes a much-needed one-song respite with "The Scientist" (Cornell Last Call). It's just sweet, lush, full, and beautiful, and you can't say anything bad about that if you have, say, ears.

However, it must be said that the women can totally hang, and this CD proves it. "Yeah" (UO Divisi), "My Happy Ending" (UNC Loreleis), "Hallelujah" (Clemson Take Note) and "Crumbs" (which, even though I didn't like the song itself, I thought the USC Sirens sang the Jeebus out of it) are awesome examples of this. Then again, as a major fan of all-female a cappella (yeah, we exist, just like Central Jersey, so never ask again), I've been hooked into these groups for awhile now, especially since they prove that all-female a cappella can be full, fun, and edgy. Female groups should know to take some inspiration from these ladies.

Co-ed groups didn't seem to do much on this BOCA, but as usual, UPenn's OTB rocks out and stands apart with "So Cold". Oh OTB, what you do to me.

There are though, in my opinion, a few mis-steps. I thought the "Let Go" (JMU Low Key) was a little bit TOO produced and high-impact for what's supposed to be a smooth song. I was just looking forward to that as the first break from punch-me-in-the-kidney a cappella. The group itself sounded great, but I felt the production interpretation was a little much for the song and ultimately did the group's performance a bit of a disservice. Also, in "The Memory Remains" (Stanford Harmonics), there are a few off chords, and their resident James Hetfield just sounds like he's reaching (he has a good low range, I would have liked to hear him do something more comfortable for him). I see what they were going for, but it didn’t work for me.

In general though, there wasn't a song I didn't like (and that's a first - usually there's always a track or two or maybe more in some cases that I want to skip). Not with this, though; I'd absolutely encourage anybody, from a cappella nerds, to people who think that a cappella is dorky singing and need badly to be proven wrong, to pick up this album and give it a listen. You'll be glad you did. I'd even say it's a better pick-up than your mom (and easier, since they take credit cards!).

And in closing, I'd just like to give major props to all of the groups on here; you all deserved to be on there, and you all put out amazing products. Go you!

Candice Helfand is a Rutgers alumna with a degree in Journalism & Media Studies. She currently directs a new, awesome all-female a cappella group at Rutgers (ShockWave), for which she also arranges, percusses, and manages their website (http://www.rushockwave.com).