http://www.rarb.org/ Recorded A Cappella Review Board2013-05-17T00:00:00+00:00 RARB Reviewershttp://www.rarb.org/people/ 2013-05-17T00:00:00+00:00 2013-05-17T00:00:00+00:00 tag:rarb.org,2013-05-17:/reviews/1279

<a href="http://www.rarb.org/reviews/1279.html"><img src="http://www.rarb.org/images/albums/1279.jpg" border="0"></a><p>The Johns Hopkins Octopodes have some epic leads in Doug Ceci (<CITE class="song">Breakeven</CITE>) and Diego Ardila (<CITE class="song">The Clock</CITE>). They have a great composer in Ardila as well, someone with a truly original voice, someone whose album I would buy in a heartbeat. Most other Octopodes leads are pretty stellar in their own way, capturing the essence of the artists they cover (<CITE class="song">Cosmic Love</CITE>, <CITE class="song">Uprising</CITE>, <CITE class="song">Paparazzi</CITE>, <CITE class="song">Bulletproof</CITE>, to name a few), immediately reminding listeners of the most popular versions of their set list. That imitation might not be the most artistic or creative choice, but the group and its production team display admirable craftsmanship nonetheless as they present themselves with a slick, full, and commercially satisfying sound.</p>

2013-05-14T00:00:00+00:00 2013-05-14T00:00:00+00:00 tag:rarb.org,2013-05-14:/reviews/1265

<a href="http://www.rarb.org/reviews/1265.html"><img src="http://www.rarb.org/images/albums/1265.jpg" border="0"></a><p>The Tufts Beelzebubs have a winner with <CITE class="album"><album>BATTLE</CITE></album>. Ed Boyer produces energetic deliveries and carefully crafted textures while Bill Hare puts everything in its precise sonic place, and Alex Koutzoukis (and others) surgically remove anything that might besmear sterling pitch or rhythm. The end result is a space that allows the talented singers of the Bubs to showcase their copious talents.</p>

2013-05-10T00:00:00+00:00 2013-05-10T00:00:00+00:00 tag:rarb.org,2013-05-10:/reviews/1293

<a href="http://www.rarb.org/reviews/1293.html"><img src="http://www.rarb.org/images/albums/1293.jpg" border="0"></a><p>Traditionally, the world of "one-man a cappella" has been a bit of a mixed bag. There are few vocalists in the world of a cappella that have the range and control to pull off all the vocal parts and a multitude of genres, and the end result is usually pretty spotty. Corey Slutsky, armed with strong arrangements, a powerhouse voice, and some serious production help, has delivered an effort that is good but that falls short on several fronts.</p>

2013-05-03T00:00:00+00:00 2013-05-03T00:00:00+00:00 tag:rarb.org,2013-05-03:/reviews/1269

<a href="http://www.rarb.org/reviews/1269.html"><img src="http://www.rarb.org/images/albums/1269.jpg" border="0"></a><p>All too often, academic a cappella may be succinctly described in two steps: imitate, graduate. Performing the music takes precedence, followed by the business challenges and social benefits of keeping a group in motion. Add the task of keeping up with real life and who has time to innovate?</p>

2013-04-23T00:00:00+00:00 2013-04-23T00:00:00+00:00 tag:rarb.org,2013-04-23:/reviews/1281

<a href="http://www.rarb.org/reviews/1281.html"><img src="http://www.rarb.org/images/albums/1281.jpg" border="0"></a><p>Good singing, good song choices, good arrangements, good production. <CITE class="album">Just in Capes</CITE> is a good album any way you slice it.</p>