A major factor in the “fan-dom” of a cappella music is song choice. Back when I was in school – prior to youtube or iTunes – hearing non-major label artists was impossible. So, when looking in catalogs at find CD’s of new a cappella groups, I would buy based on the songs I knew. This is how I ran into M-Pact when the did “Change in My Life” on their first album.

The Clef Hangers choose a set list that is aimed at their core demographic – college kids – yes, I can say “kids”. I will say that I knew seven of the songs purely by name and I was excited to heat them done a cappella. But the main question is this: are they putting a CD out that is only relevant now or something that will still hold value in 10-15 years? I feel that the album is more of the former than the latter and that is completely an “iTunes” CD. Each track holds water by its self, but as a whole, there is little flow. And like you mentioned, I would reorder the majority of the album.

But, The Clef Hangers do something that not many college groups do. They let their singers sing. Well of course they do, they are an a cappella group. That is true but that is not my point. As a cappella moved from doo-wop-type arrangements and more to the “vocal band” idea, a lot of college groups were so stuck on trying to sound like a guitar, bass, or horns and they sounded ridiculous – this is a major reason to why I did not like college groups. But UNC lets their guys really sing on their albums. They are not always trying to imitate what instrument is playing the notes in the original, but they are singing the notes and mostly let the production do that for them – wise choice. Listen the majority of their tracks and you will hear open vowels soaring. Even on Kiss, Kiss the back grounds are mostly vowel sounds. I could go on, but I won’t.

The album is very good. I would give the execution of the music and production a solid A. But the order and song choice a “C”.

PS – I apologize for getting long-winded, but like I said, I am an a cappella guy.

Now to totally blow my mind: I didn’t know IT WAS AN ACTUAL SONG until a couple of months ago when I heard it mentioned on another a cappella podcast (don’t remember which ‘cast, though).

The November 29th show was the very first I heard this show and I fell in love with it almost instantly. I’ve been a huge all around a cappella fan from Rajaton to Rockapella for a few years since i was introduced and was smiling and enjoying every minute of the show. I just couldn’t resist making a comment saying that you have definitely gained another loyal fan to the show. Keep up the awesome work.

Grant C.

-fermama.