Welcome back dear readers! Would you like to read about my reactions to a television program that aired several weeks ago? I thought so!
Okay, so why on earth is this only one night? Didn't they sell out the tour last year and so it should have been their month long thing? Plus, Pentatonix has been at the center of almost every pop culture moment for the last year. And Pitch Perfect has made a capella even more relevant than normal. This one night affair is a travesty. The world needs more a capella, damnit.
I hope Shawn Stockman calls someone "big baby". AND WHY IS THERE NO BEN FOLDS?!?! What a capella judging credentials does Patrick Stump have? Is Ben Folds' lack of availability the real reason it's only one night? Why are we a full two minutes in and haven't seen Nick Lachey's dreamboat face yet?
Okay, opening number... Here we go! Ew, that girl has purple hair and I don't like it. Jewel just looked super confused. I dig the plaid jackets! Ooh, they're from Nashville! I feel like this is an odd opening number? The guy in the purple jacket was good. Shawn Stockman is going a little gray; not sure how I feel about that.
NICK LACHEY!!! He's such a dreamboat. How is it possible he's getting dreamier as he gets older? Really Nick? Why are we going to get excited about a "Sing Off Title" that means nothing. This show is only two hours. You don't, Patrick, you fill Ben's shoes. At least Patrick understands that he is not as good as Ben Folds. Weirdly, Nick Lachey did not explain that a capella means without instruments. No drinks for us!
This group has the girl with the stupid purple band in her hair. They sing in prisons? Do they think that they're Johnny Cash? I mean, I guess that's nice? Why do prisoners care about a capella? Oooh, I like this song. Isn't it kind of a new song to be a group's "signature"? I don't love their styling. The second soloist is not as good as the first. This is missing some bottom, which is always the problem with female groups. I like the third soloist's almost-but-not-quite nasal. Oooh, that unison was really nice! Oh, and now we're on "I'm a diva screeching" from all of them at the same time. Got a little screechy there, ladies. Ended strong. See, Jewel also missed the bass. I'd disagree though; they got a little tinny. She is not the soloist I would have called out. Does it make me a terrible person that I found her "He's a son, etc." speech really cloying?
(Author's note: It is SO COLD in my apartment right now because it's like 40 outside and in California, houses are built out of plywood and old newspapers and have no insulation. I feel like I'm back in Buffalo, sitting on my couch in a fleece blanket burrito! Only in Buffalo I was cold because I was too cheap to turn on the heat...)
"All vocal versions." Drink!
OKAY. THIS IS NONSENSE. The Sing Off had a group that used pedals and effects but the Sing Off would not let them use them. That group was Sonos and I loooooooved them on YouTube but they were lackluster on the show because they were stripped of what they actually do. But now this group can use the pedals, etc.? I call shenanigans!!
I recently saw Bastille. I should write about it. This is good. The faux-hawk soloist has a tremendous voice. This sounds really clean, like some of the really great collegiate groups. I feel like these guys, with a really good perc-ist wouldn't need all the bells and whistles. I didn't like the parts that were obviously just echo (where the guys pulled the mics away from their faces) because that felt hollow. Right on, Shawn, it was a little too robotic.
Was Jewel trying to be Ben by saying amalgamation? Oh, that was scripted because Nick commented on it. Again, not the soloist I would have called out. See, Jewel agreed that it sounded like traditional a capella only with extra stuff.
This is a little under-tempo from what I would expect? This sounds off? Like the solo and the backing are on slightly different tempos? Oh, okay, there they're back together. The "I love you baby" section has a swing I wasn't expecting; I dig it. I feel like their choreo is hindering them just a little. This has top and bottom (A girl group with bass? Who knew? I wonder if she had nodes...) but seems to be missing middle? I can't tell what I felt about that - not my very favorite but very proficient.
(Author's note: I am losing feeling in my right toes.)
Ohmygoodness, these are former Yellowjackets with people who are cooler than the Yellowjackets? Hilarious. I saw the Yellowjackets open for some really weird old lady choir in Clarence the year they were on the Sing Off. They were good. The weird old lady choir was not. I also saw One Republic this year. This is riveting. Oh, I remember this guy with the eyebrow. I like their styling; their choreo isn't distracting and these guys can SING. Holy crap, this is fantastic. They passed the lead well; their mix was spot on. That was high energy without being frantic. Holy crap. Blown away. The guy in the nerd glasses busting out the aria? Hilarious. Patrick, quit talking about yourself. Everyone knows you're the singer. Shut up.
(Author's note: I just touched the tip of my nose and only knew that I was touching it because my finger got cold.)
Wait, and there's another Sing Off tour? Who's going to be on it? Is is it the groups from last year? I'm super confused.
SanFran6? They're from here! They've only been doing this for a month? I don't love these franken-only-for-the-Sing-Off-groups.
This opening is pretty sick, way to be beatbox guy. Her voice gets noticeably weaker on the second chorus. They should have passed the lead some; I'm not sure they did themselves a service by featuring the same soloist all the way through. I'm not sure their harmonies were interesting enough either. But, super sick perc. Whoa! Freestyle beatboxing! FILHARMONIC IN THE AUDIENCE!! See, Shawn Stockman agrees with me on the arrangement!
Is this the second group from Nashville? WHOA, that guy is in Pitch Perfect 2? Good for him! This seems like a really traditional college guy group song. I feel like the Sing Off has never rewarded traditional guy college groups. Ah yes, the traditional opening. Oh man, I want to go back to college. Oh, I love this trumpet choreography. Ah yes, the slow break-down. And now the show-tune break-down. Ha, and the trumpet at the end. That was delightfully cheese-tastic. Probably not as good as the 'Bubs were on this show but pretty fantastic. "Cuter than kittens on YouTube." Love it. Jewel also appreciates all the stylistic changes. "You guys are my jacket." Dude, we know you're in a band. Shut up; quit talking about yourself.
If I had to pick three to move on, they would be: Melodores, Exchange, and A-Squared. But, I think it's going to be Exchange, Melodores, and either Timothy's Gift or SanFran6 (gotta have some ladies in the finals). Let's see what happens!
Pentatonix!! I still feel chagrined by the fact that I panned their first Sing Off performance. It is incredible how full they sound with just five voices. And their rhythm section has to be the best... ever. That was delightful; I love everything they've done with their career post-Sing Off and adore that they're giving a capella an even more main stage presence.
(Author's note: WHY IS A DINOSAUR SKELETON RUNNING AT ME? Stupid commercials Stupid dinosaurs.)
Exchange, check! Melodores, check! Oh, wow. I was wrong on the third group - it was Traces, the other girl group. I'm usually so spot on with those things.
Ooh, this is a really pretty opening. This is way better than their first song. The bass is still really incredible. The tempo is lagging a little in this break-down? Weird choice to end on the word "naturally" instead of "woman". Strong effort.
Oooh, I wonder if this will be better than the leaked Warblers' version. Holy crap, wall of sound opening dudes! I still really like his purple jacket. Shawn Stockman's face at that falsetto! I felt exactly like that. This perc is fantastic. The bow tie Yellowjacket guy mugs just a little too hard. This really fast lyric harmony section is sick. That was fantastic. I am a big fan of these guys. See, Jewel also liked the three part harmony "fast lyrics" - how did I not realize that was the "rap" section? It feels weird to hear the judges talk to these guys like they've been on here for weeks when it's only been 90 minutes. If these guys go on the tour, I'd definitely go see them.
Did he just call him "Hosey-er"? Oh man. I bought myself Hozier tickets for Christmas and am super excited to go see him this spring! This is a fantastic opening. Oh, that got aggressive. This soloist is pretty fantastic. Lots of emotion, for sure. I wish they would have done a little less choreography. Some of it's too literal and maybe just a little distracting? Loved the soloist, loved the intensity of the backing vocals. Great arrangement. Listening to Shawn Stockman, I'm pretty sure that very small man who looked murder-y when his chin was pointed down just gave the Melodores the first ever Sing Off college group win.
Oh Nick Lachey. "I've got a little pull." You're adorable.
Oh, that Home Free guy could use a hair cut. (And possibly a sandwich?) Whoa, those are some fancy plaid pants, Shawn Stockman! Whoa Jewel, that dress is begging for a wardrobe malfunction. Careful, girl! Whoa, Patrick Stump sounded amazing. YAY NICK LACHEY IS SINGING!!! IT IS EVERYTHING I WANTED!! This is making me tear up a little. Shut up, I'm not crying; you're crying. That was really spectacular. Dudes, after Nick Lachey announced everyone who sang on that number. Someone should have said, "And Nick Lachey!" Missed opportunity.
If I picked the winner, it would be Exchange. I think it might be the Melodores though (because most of the guys had a shot with their other group) based solely on their 'Take me to Church'. And, it would be nice for a college group to finally win, even if it is a really low-stakes season.
I would add, "Tackle Pentatonix and have them write you a post-show plan" to Shawn's speech.
See, I called it! (I love being right.) Awww, they look so happy!
Well, that was delightful if, obviously, far too short. I can only hope that NBC remedies this one night mistake next year by giving the Sing Off the four week holiday treatment it deserves! Have the judges make a guest appearance on The Voice to hype it up or something. I mean, jeez, it's a homerun waiting to happen.
Okay, so why on earth is this only one night? Didn't they sell out the tour last year and so it should have been their month long thing? Plus, Pentatonix has been at the center of almost every pop culture moment for the last year. And Pitch Perfect has made a capella even more relevant than normal. This one night affair is a travesty. The world needs more a capella, damnit.
I hope Shawn Stockman calls someone "big baby". AND WHY IS THERE NO BEN FOLDS?!?! What a capella judging credentials does Patrick Stump have? Is Ben Folds' lack of availability the real reason it's only one night? Why are we a full two minutes in and haven't seen Nick Lachey's dreamboat face yet?
Okay, opening number... Here we go! Ew, that girl has purple hair and I don't like it. Jewel just looked super confused. I dig the plaid jackets! Ooh, they're from Nashville! I feel like this is an odd opening number? The guy in the purple jacket was good. Shawn Stockman is going a little gray; not sure how I feel about that.
NICK LACHEY!!! He's such a dreamboat. How is it possible he's getting dreamier as he gets older? Really Nick? Why are we going to get excited about a "Sing Off Title" that means nothing. This show is only two hours. You don't, Patrick, you fill Ben's shoes. At least Patrick understands that he is not as good as Ben Folds. Weirdly, Nick Lachey did not explain that a capella means without instruments. No drinks for us!
This group has the girl with the stupid purple band in her hair. They sing in prisons? Do they think that they're Johnny Cash? I mean, I guess that's nice? Why do prisoners care about a capella? Oooh, I like this song. Isn't it kind of a new song to be a group's "signature"? I don't love their styling. The second soloist is not as good as the first. This is missing some bottom, which is always the problem with female groups. I like the third soloist's almost-but-not-quite nasal. Oooh, that unison was really nice! Oh, and now we're on "I'm a diva screeching" from all of them at the same time. Got a little screechy there, ladies. Ended strong. See, Jewel also missed the bass. I'd disagree though; they got a little tinny. She is not the soloist I would have called out. Does it make me a terrible person that I found her "He's a son, etc." speech really cloying?
(Author's note: It is SO COLD in my apartment right now because it's like 40 outside and in California, houses are built out of plywood and old newspapers and have no insulation. I feel like I'm back in Buffalo, sitting on my couch in a fleece blanket burrito! Only in Buffalo I was cold because I was too cheap to turn on the heat...)
"All vocal versions." Drink!
OKAY. THIS IS NONSENSE. The Sing Off had a group that used pedals and effects but the Sing Off would not let them use them. That group was Sonos and I loooooooved them on YouTube but they were lackluster on the show because they were stripped of what they actually do. But now this group can use the pedals, etc.? I call shenanigans!!
I recently saw Bastille. I should write about it. This is good. The faux-hawk soloist has a tremendous voice. This sounds really clean, like some of the really great collegiate groups. I feel like these guys, with a really good perc-ist wouldn't need all the bells and whistles. I didn't like the parts that were obviously just echo (where the guys pulled the mics away from their faces) because that felt hollow. Right on, Shawn, it was a little too robotic.
Was Jewel trying to be Ben by saying amalgamation? Oh, that was scripted because Nick commented on it. Again, not the soloist I would have called out. See, Jewel agreed that it sounded like traditional a capella only with extra stuff.
This is a little under-tempo from what I would expect? This sounds off? Like the solo and the backing are on slightly different tempos? Oh, okay, there they're back together. The "I love you baby" section has a swing I wasn't expecting; I dig it. I feel like their choreo is hindering them just a little. This has top and bottom (A girl group with bass? Who knew? I wonder if she had nodes...) but seems to be missing middle? I can't tell what I felt about that - not my very favorite but very proficient.
(Author's note: I am losing feeling in my right toes.)
Ohmygoodness, these are former Yellowjackets with people who are cooler than the Yellowjackets? Hilarious. I saw the Yellowjackets open for some really weird old lady choir in Clarence the year they were on the Sing Off. They were good. The weird old lady choir was not. I also saw One Republic this year. This is riveting. Oh, I remember this guy with the eyebrow. I like their styling; their choreo isn't distracting and these guys can SING. Holy crap, this is fantastic. They passed the lead well; their mix was spot on. That was high energy without being frantic. Holy crap. Blown away. The guy in the nerd glasses busting out the aria? Hilarious. Patrick, quit talking about yourself. Everyone knows you're the singer. Shut up.
(Author's note: I just touched the tip of my nose and only knew that I was touching it because my finger got cold.)
Wait, and there's another Sing Off tour? Who's going to be on it? Is is it the groups from last year? I'm super confused.
SanFran6? They're from here! They've only been doing this for a month? I don't love these franken-only-for-the-Sing-Off-groups.
This opening is pretty sick, way to be beatbox guy. Her voice gets noticeably weaker on the second chorus. They should have passed the lead some; I'm not sure they did themselves a service by featuring the same soloist all the way through. I'm not sure their harmonies were interesting enough either. But, super sick perc. Whoa! Freestyle beatboxing! FILHARMONIC IN THE AUDIENCE!! See, Shawn Stockman agrees with me on the arrangement!
Is this the second group from Nashville? WHOA, that guy is in Pitch Perfect 2? Good for him! This seems like a really traditional college guy group song. I feel like the Sing Off has never rewarded traditional guy college groups. Ah yes, the traditional opening. Oh man, I want to go back to college. Oh, I love this trumpet choreography. Ah yes, the slow break-down. And now the show-tune break-down. Ha, and the trumpet at the end. That was delightfully cheese-tastic. Probably not as good as the 'Bubs were on this show but pretty fantastic. "Cuter than kittens on YouTube." Love it. Jewel also appreciates all the stylistic changes. "You guys are my jacket." Dude, we know you're in a band. Shut up; quit talking about yourself.
If I had to pick three to move on, they would be: Melodores, Exchange, and A-Squared. But, I think it's going to be Exchange, Melodores, and either Timothy's Gift or SanFran6 (gotta have some ladies in the finals). Let's see what happens!
Pentatonix!! I still feel chagrined by the fact that I panned their first Sing Off performance. It is incredible how full they sound with just five voices. And their rhythm section has to be the best... ever. That was delightful; I love everything they've done with their career post-Sing Off and adore that they're giving a capella an even more main stage presence.
(Author's note: WHY IS A DINOSAUR SKELETON RUNNING AT ME? Stupid commercials Stupid dinosaurs.)
Exchange, check! Melodores, check! Oh, wow. I was wrong on the third group - it was Traces, the other girl group. I'm usually so spot on with those things.
Ooh, this is a really pretty opening. This is way better than their first song. The bass is still really incredible. The tempo is lagging a little in this break-down? Weird choice to end on the word "naturally" instead of "woman". Strong effort.
Oooh, I wonder if this will be better than the leaked Warblers' version. Holy crap, wall of sound opening dudes! I still really like his purple jacket. Shawn Stockman's face at that falsetto! I felt exactly like that. This perc is fantastic. The bow tie Yellowjacket guy mugs just a little too hard. This really fast lyric harmony section is sick. That was fantastic. I am a big fan of these guys. See, Jewel also liked the three part harmony "fast lyrics" - how did I not realize that was the "rap" section? It feels weird to hear the judges talk to these guys like they've been on here for weeks when it's only been 90 minutes. If these guys go on the tour, I'd definitely go see them.
Did he just call him "Hosey-er"? Oh man. I bought myself Hozier tickets for Christmas and am super excited to go see him this spring! This is a fantastic opening. Oh, that got aggressive. This soloist is pretty fantastic. Lots of emotion, for sure. I wish they would have done a little less choreography. Some of it's too literal and maybe just a little distracting? Loved the soloist, loved the intensity of the backing vocals. Great arrangement. Listening to Shawn Stockman, I'm pretty sure that very small man who looked murder-y when his chin was pointed down just gave the Melodores the first ever Sing Off college group win.
Oh Nick Lachey. "I've got a little pull." You're adorable.
Oh, that Home Free guy could use a hair cut. (And possibly a sandwich?) Whoa, those are some fancy plaid pants, Shawn Stockman! Whoa Jewel, that dress is begging for a wardrobe malfunction. Careful, girl! Whoa, Patrick Stump sounded amazing. YAY NICK LACHEY IS SINGING!!! IT IS EVERYTHING I WANTED!! This is making me tear up a little. Shut up, I'm not crying; you're crying. That was really spectacular. Dudes, after Nick Lachey announced everyone who sang on that number. Someone should have said, "And Nick Lachey!" Missed opportunity.
If I picked the winner, it would be Exchange. I think it might be the Melodores though (because most of the guys had a shot with their other group) based solely on their 'Take me to Church'. And, it would be nice for a college group to finally win, even if it is a really low-stakes season.
I would add, "Tackle Pentatonix and have them write you a post-show plan" to Shawn's speech.
See, I called it! (I love being right.) Awww, they look so happy!
Well, that was delightful if, obviously, far too short. I can only hope that NBC remedies this one night mistake next year by giving the Sing Off the four week holiday treatment it deserves! Have the judges make a guest appearance on The Voice to hype it up or something. I mean, jeez, it's a homerun waiting to happen.
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