Comments please.

Allright. How to get the a cappella crowd out of their, way to comfortable, vocal chairs?
I’ve been singing all my life and worked with a cappella music for almost 10 years now, so why is it, that I can’t hear an a cappella cd without getting a headache halfway through?

It’s like the sound of singers trying to keep tempo, intonation and sound together, is just to hard… I know, I know, most studio albums are recorded with click, backtrack, pitch controller, and so on, but it doesn’t change the fact that I find the sound and music annoying for more than 20-30 minutes. Even the best groups (TRG?) are struggling with the fact that the sound gets predictable after some songs.

For me, a couple of albums stand out, and one of those is Björks Medúlla from 2004. The first time I heard it, I was surprised that one could make that many scary sounds and have such an intensive vocal expression. Even though it’s a very varied album that goes from classical vocal arrangements (Vökuró) to upbeat dance (Triumph Of A Hearts) and from solo voice (Show Me Forgiveness) over big choirs, to suddenly introducing an upright piano (Ancestors), the atmosphere and sound on the album never flows out of focus.

Why can’t any choirs or vocal groups do that?

More edge and vocal attitude will help. Better lead singers with something to tell and the guts to be ruff and personal, and not just in pitch and on the beat. More attitude please!
I guess Cosmos’ Turbulence is another album I would point at, although I find it too fragmented and messy at times.
Well… The thread is open. Let me hear what you think!

Comments please!

Stoffer