Friday, December 10, 2010

Dude, this show is actually good.

So I've now seen the second episode of The Sing-Off. Here's what I thought about it.

First off, the opening combined song was incredible. There's just something about getting all these amazing lead singers from each group, and having them trade off in machine gun fashion. You get all the best aspects of each singer, and none of their deficiencies since they're only singing a line at a time. I admit, "Use Somebody" has gotten really REALLY old since it came out, but the arrangement was awesome. The show started off with a bang.

The first group up: On the Rocks, the boys from Oregon singing Live Your Life. In addition to being partial to all-male groups, I love taking rap/hip-hop songs and putting them to a cappella arrangements. The dude who sang the Rihanna part sometimes got off-key, but the whole thing seemed like one big party. I also liked how they used the entire stage, it made it seem like they were trying to come out of the TV

Secondly, Street Corner Symphony on Hey Soul Sister. Could've called they'd do something with a high lead, but it was even almost a little too high for him. Watching it, you forget it that they're only 6 people. They fill my whole ear, I don't know how to describe it better than that. They've got an above-average bass and then those two guys do great high harmonies. I feel like each person is individual, but they all come together nicely (like Nota last year). Also, I like how originally they dealt with the bridge - it gave some nice break from one guy's voice.

Also, apparently Ben Folds is writing a recap-style blog about each episode and the individual performances? What a genius...I wish I'd thought of that. (here it is: http://www.nbc.com/sing-off/on-key-with-ben-folds/)

High school group (Eleventh Hour), Bruno Mars - Just the way you are. She's still got a great voice, but I still can't help but think she's the only thing that really deserves to move on in the competition. I mean, LeBron could only bring his team to the Finals - you need some great support to win it all. They deserved to go this round, but they're really good. That just speaks to how good every group really is.

Jerry Lawson and the Talk of the Town, singing Mercy. These guys are just a lot of fun, and musically they know exactly what they do. I'm curious as to whether they can adapt each week, or whether it will start to sound the same. They're another group that sounds much deeper than just 6.

The Backbeats, singing one of my favorite radio songs (Breakeven by The Script). This lead singer is one of the best in the whole show. At the end when she's going nuts over the top of everybody else - that's the soundtrack to heaven, if you ask me. They're a favorite, even though they still cheated by stealing Sing-Off vets!

Committed, singing Apologize by Onerepublic. Whoosh, these guys can turn an overplayed radio song into some of the best 2 minutes of my life (only slight exaggeration). It's awesome to see that yet another group member has killer pipes. Not much to say here, these guys are head and shoulders and torso ahead of the rest of the competition.

Groove for Thought, Mike Posner, Cooler than me. These guys definitely can sang mayn, and their lead singer's voice reminds me a lot of Justin Nozuka - not a bad thing. The girls definitely added to the overall performance, and I honestly think this could be the performance of the night. Dang, it was great - loved the stand-up bass impersonator.

The Whiffenpoofs, singing a great song - Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble. Didn't love the lead singers, except for the ginger. He was great, and added some personality. They are like the best accompanying band ever, but I guess they only have one great lead singer (I loved Mr. Grace Kelly), and his voice was a little too high for this song I guess? So yeah, they got stuck in the harder side of the bracket, and they don't get to move on.

I'm saying that Committed, then Groove For Thought, Street Corner Symphony, Backbeats, then Jerry Lawson and On the Rocks rounding out the group. The funny thing is, I think On the Rocks could've made the top 3 last season. I'm excited for next week!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Sing-Off, Season 2!

I love the sing-off, it was amazing last year. They've got a kind of eclectic mix of judges/host: Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men), Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls), and Ben Folds are the judges...and Nick Lachey from 98 degrees and Jessica Simpson-fame is the host. If you haven't seen it, check out, it's worth it:


and


Those are the two finalists from last year, and they were clearly the two best of the season. However, some (aka myself) may think that they picked the wrong winner.

So when I saw that the second season was coming on, I just got so stoked. Here's the rundown of this season:

High school group from Ohio, co-ed - they sang a Justin Bieber song, they're the youngest in the competition, and it kinda sounded like it. I was shocked to see that they moved on to the next round.

Oregon group, all-male - they had a viral video of them singing Bad Romance (watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUWfL32S5PA), and they remind me of the Beelzebubs from last season. They're an early favorite of mine.

Seattle jazz group, co-ed - they're a group of music teachers, so they're really musically solid. However, they're smaller, and a little older, so the energy isn't really as high as with some of the other groups (for the record, I think that isn't what they're going for though). While I didn't love them, they did sing "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder, so they get bonus points from me.

Pitch Slapped, co-ed - funniest group name, and they're from Berklee college of music...so they're studs vocally. They have some intricate harmonies/notes they can hit, that not many other groups could. With that said, it was hilarious that this group of music students comes out with "Good Girls Go Bad". I still can't believe that they got kicked off! It's rigged. I'm calling it right now.

Jerry Lawson and the Talk of Town, all-male - super-enjoyable, motown a cappella. This guy used to be in an R&B group, and I don't know how old he is, but he can definitely still sing. I've got a soft spot in my heart for this type of music, I love it.

The Whiffenpoofs, all-male - Yale student group, oldest a cappella group ever apparently? Really, really liked how they did "Grace Kelly". They're another early favorite.

Men of Note, all-male - great lead singer, and really solid vocally top-to-bottom. They just got stuck in the second group, and every other group was better than them, although barely.

Street Corner Symphony, all-male - good ole boys from Tennessee with a hipster singer, they're really united as a group, but nothing really stuck out to me.

The Backbeats, co-ed - my sister loves this band, and she's got a point. They're a supergroup, and they sound like it, but I'm not all the way on-board yet. But then again, maybe I'm intimidated by a girl beatboxer.

Committed, all-male - gospel group of black boys from 'Bama, these dudes are amazing. Oh my goodness. Can I just say how weird it is to have your beatboxer have a solo - and then jump right back into beatboxing? I am committed to committed.