REVIEW: Voice Male makes sixth release
With the release of “Six” the Cache Valley group Voice Male really doesn’t break any new ground – but then again if the machine isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
I must start by saying that die hard fans and even those who really enjoy the whole a cappella movement will more than likely love this release. This turn in the studio really captures the known attitude of Voice Male.
Though there are those who will disagree with me, Voice Male stands out as the group who started the a cappella push in Logan – they have led the pack in the state as well. But it almost seems like they are staying with what they are comfortable with and not challenging the norm.
National groups like Rockapella always seem to try and reinvent their sound to some degree while staying true to what has made them successful, and I wanted more of that from “Six.” Voice Male could rival groups like Rockapella, but won’t if they don’t push their sound.
With that said, this is not a bad CD, it really does have it’s high points. I think one of the best selling points with Voice Male is their energy and love for performing. It is rare that a group can actually capture that feeling on a round piece of plastic, but these guys do.
When you listen to the other groups that are singing in the same style, they are solid releases, but they lack the excitement Voice Male has. When you go to one of Voice Male’s concerts, you expect good music and a lot of laughs to boot – you get that. This CD captures some of that. It is still refreshing to hear a group that is at ease with their style and abilities.
When I first put in the CD, I was disappointed with the first two songs, which is too bad because they are previously unreleased by the group. They just did not grab me and pull me into the album. I wanted more. I got it, but not until the third song. “Six” was really a collection of their hits from their concerts and other CDs. Without calling it a “Greatest Hits” album, that is what it is.
The high points really peak with the tracks The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Sam You Made the Pants Too Long, Sun on the Moon, Celebration and In the Still if the Night (which is one of the four new songs) which all start at track seven.
I really wanted Celebration to be higher on the CD, it was the strongest song on the album. It made a good finale and tied up the CD well. At times, this track sounded like it was produced by instruments and really mimicked the original release by Kool and the Gang. This is a great song for these guys and if this is truly a greatest hits album, it belongs here.
Sun on the Moon was also buried in the CD which was too bad. This would have made a good grabber if it would have been first.
When I said they captured some of their trademark humor, it was most evident with The Lion Sleeps Tonight. As the song progressed so did the animal sounds and fun. You could tell the guys were having fun in the studio and that translates to fun for the listener, too.
All in all, this is a good disk to own. It is fun, and even though the songs are not new, some of the sound is. This means fans and new listeners both can enjoy this CD.
GRADE: B+