Acapodcast #61

Wow, 2010 already!  Well, 2009 was a banner year for a cappella, with so many incredible albums, so much positive media attention, and it seemed like every time I turned around, somebody was stepping it up to the next level.  I’m going to tell you right now that 2010 is promising more of that.  I can’t say exactly what it will bring, but it promises great things.  In this first show of 2010, you’ll hear: Track Title Artist Album Original Artist Let’s Get It Started Tufts Beelzebubs Shedding (2005) Black Eyed Peas What Hurts The Most Six Appeal Four Play (2009) Rascal Flatts Gravity Overboard Stranded (2007) John Mayer Let It Die Tufts Amalgamates Teaser (2009) Foo Fighters In The Back Seat UNC Loreleis On The Record (2008) Arcade Fire My Romance Fifth Avenue Gloria Grafton and Donald Novis (by way of the Hi Lo’s) As I mentioned in the show, I was a nominator for this year’s CARA awards (which are for albums released in 2009), and one thing struck me as I was listening: I was pleased to hear the rise in the music genre diversity.  Pop/Rock is an overly broad classification at times, but it was especially true to my ears this year, where I heard Pop, Rock, Y’alternative, Alt-Rock, Grunge, Hick-Hop, Christian Rock, Teutonic style metal, hair bands, ballads, classic rock, New Wave, and a lot more than I would have expected.  It was surprising and pleasant.  Also, it seems like the proliferation of quality engineering and masterful production is shrinking the gap from the mediocre to the supreme.  I had some difficult choices to make this year.  We’ll see the results next week.  In the meantime, go listen to show #61, and let me know what you think of the new website!