Review: Having just finished raving about Minneapolis-based Four Shadow's "Live" CD, we were pleased to receive the ir third recording ("Where Have You Been" was the excellent first), a Christmas CD called simply "Flake." We needed only to listen to"Christmas Soup," which begins innocently as "12 Days of Christmas" and morphs into a surprising musical sampler of a dozen tunes, to know that these 4 young guys have the talent and arrangements to sing with anyone in Contemporary a cappella. 10 songs, from a very funky "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and a wonderfully slimy "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," to traditional covers of "O Holy Night," "The Christmas Song," "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and a fine classical rendition of the sacred song "Ave Maria." Other standouts are a sweet original, "That Time of Year," where you'll swear you're listening to Rockapella, "Blue Christmas," with funny, desperate mumbling by "Elvis," and amazing, driving vocal percussion on "The Little Drummer Boy." The guys toss little treats like unexpected samples and vocal horns into our bulging stockings. "Flake," another impressive effort by Four Shadow, is a Christmas winner!

Songlist: Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch, O Holy Night, That Time of Year, The Christmas Song, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Blue Christmas, The Little Drummer Boy, Ave Maria

Review: The new a cappella sensation from Minneapolis, MN, talented all male quartet Four Shadow has the kind of slogan that warms our a cappella hearts, "All Vocals All The Time." They perform a repertoire of a number of original songs, as well as tunes by the Beatles, Paul Simon and the Dave Matthews Band, for audiences across America, singing over 150 shows a year in over 40 states. They have shared the stage with Huey Lewis, the Persuasions and Lonestar, and performed live on NBC's "Today" show. 13 songs, some favorites: the excellent, group-written originals "Breathin'," "Better Than This" and "Summer Sunday," Curtis Mayfield's Motown hit, "It's Alright," "Day Tripper," Buffalo Springfield's (made famous by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) "For What It's Worth," James Brown's upbeat "I Feel Good," CSN&Y's "Seven Bridges Road," the fairly silly "Blankets and Pie," (traditional melody with words by the group's Drew Tullar) "It's Gonna Rain" and the sublime, driving "Kyrie." OK, our favorites include just about all the songs, but in fact there's not a weak cut here. Crisp, solid vocal percussion, bright, innovative arrangements, and most of all, sheer vocal talent multiplied by four adds up to a stunning debut CD for this fast-rising young quartet from Minneapolis!

Songlist: Breathin', Better Than This, When You Say Nothing At All, It's Alright, Day Tripper, For What It's Worth, I Feel Good, Here There, Seven Bridges Road, Blankets And Pie, Summer Sunday, It's Gonna Rain, Kyrie

Review: Prolific, talented all-male Minneapolis-based Contemporary quartet Four Shadow brings us their second Christmas CD (their first was the excellent "Flake"). "Joy" begins with powerful vocal percussion on "Jingle Bells," and features strong originals, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" and the lovely "Baby Jesus" by Kevin, who sings lead on both; the touching "A Father's Christmas Wish" by David, who sings lead; and "Close Your Eyes" by Drew, who also sings lead. Very nice covers of "Winter Wonderland," "Silver Bells," great deep bass on "Frosty the Snowman," and upbeat arrangements of "Joy to the World," "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "Let It Snow." Also included is a hilarious cover of "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer." A beautiful, fun, all-a cappella Christmas CD from Four Shadow!

Songlist: Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland, All I Want For Christmas Is You, Silver Bells, Frosty The Snowman, Granma Got Run Over By A Reindeer, Joy To The World, A Father's Christmas Wish, O Come All Ye Faithful, Let It Snow, Baby Jesus, Close Your Eyes

Review: Four Shadow comes from the same gene pool that produced contemporary a cappella heroes Rockapella, the House Jacks and Five O' Clock Shadow. The ear-friendly pop rock of original tunes such as "Little Mouse, " "Wendy" and "World To Me" are kicked off by the crisp snap and articulation of the vocal bass and drums, who work it with tight precision. Savvy production and arranging delivers points, creating a full and dynamic sound. The group spins rap with "George" and then careens into the off-kilter country polka feel and impolite lyric of "If" ("if you were a song I would not sing you" is the most civilized, and that's putting it kindly). A few covers - Paul Simon, Dave Matthews - round out the set. We like it.

Songlist: Wendy, Fields of Joy, Little Mouse, One Week, World To Me, Ants Marching, Me & Julio Down by the School Yard, If, Georgie, Born At The Right Time

Review: Minneapolis, MN's hot a cappella male Contemporary quartet Four Shadow brings us their 5th excellent recording, a CD/DVD combination of their live concert at Bemidji High School, recorded in March, 2006. There are 15 songs on the CD, 14 on the DVD, and it's quite interesting comparing some of the same songs, performed on the CD and the DVD where you can see the show and the interaction with the audience. The Doobie's "Joy To The World," "Wendy," Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely," and the group's feature "Trip Through Time!" which musically takes us through the decades, beginning with the Four Tops' "Can't Help Myself," the BeeGees' "Stayin' Alive," Mister Mister's "Kyrie," "Giraffe Nightengale" from the 90s and "The Time is Now" from "Da Oh's." "Breathin'," the pop hit "Barbara Ann," Simon & Garfunkel's "Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard," and "Can't Get Next To You" finish up the program, to the delight of the screaming crowd. These four are born entertainers with great voices, harmonies and senses of humor-and we love the whole CD/DVD combo idea. See and hear why Four Shadow has been rising fast in the a cappella world!

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