Review: Pride of Avon Lake, Ohio, mixed-voice Contemporary a cappella Quintet (two women, three men) Praise-Apella brings us their 2nd excellent album, "Follow the Star," a Christmas collection. The group's top-drawer vocal percussion, sweet leads & harmonies and wonderful arrangements have gained them lots of airplay and many fans on the popular Christian FM radio station The Fish. There are five tunes here, beginning with a very nice, re-arranged pair of traditional carols, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" and "O' Come All Ye Faithful." Then there's a wonderful cover of Marc Marte & Jason Germain's insightful "How Many Kings," a surprising, reinvented cover of George Michael's "Last Christmas" and finally a lively cover of Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad" that features very cool faux horns. This is a short but sweet collection by the fast-rising, innovative and inspirational Praise-Apella, who invite us to "follow the star and you will find a new life in Jesus. Have a Blessed & Merry Christmas!"

Songlist: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, O' Come All Ye Faithful, How Many Kings, Last Christmas, Feliz Navidad

Review: Jen, Amy, Dean, Ryan and Ron are Praise-Apella, a mixed-voice Contemporary Christian a cappella quintet hailing from Avon Lake, OH. Love God is the debut album by this talented, soulful group, who combine solid, rhythmic vocal percussion and inspirational music with pristine vocal harmonies. There are 8 joyous, foot-tapping tunes that make you want to dance and sing along: "I'm Letting Go," "Don't Get Comfortable," "Blessed Be Your Name," "I Give You My Heart," "You're Worthy of My Praise," a beautifully re-invented cover of Bill Withers' 1972 hit "Lean on Me," "Everlasting God" and "How Great Is Our God." Hearing most of these songs for the first time, we have to say that Praise-Apella's full, rich, soulful sound owes equal amounts to some of the best vocal percussion we've heard in a Contemporary Christian group, top-drawer leads and harmonies, and innovative arrangements. "Love God" is a feel-good album of praise and worship. You may have heard Praise-Apella on the popular Christian FM Radio station The Fish. If all this sounds like Praise-Apella made this album just for you, you will definitely love "Love God!"

Songlist: I'm Letting Go, Don't Get Comfortable, Blessed Be Your Name, I Give You My Heart, You're Worthy Of My Praise, Lean On Me, Everlasting God, How Great Is Our God

Review: Cleveland, OH based contemporary Christian vocal band Praise-apella are certainly one of the most exiting a cappella groups to emerge over the past few years and this new Christmas release certainly helps further that reputation. Strong individual voices blend seamlessly with interesting arrangements by Ryan Fischer and the group that keeps one's attention. "Do They Know" is a particular treat and "The Angles Medley" will be sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Sung with feeling this all a cappella recording is indeed The Perfect Gift.

Songlist: Silent Night, Joy to the World, Do They Know?, Hark, The Herald Angel Sing, O Holy Night, Angels Medley, The First Noel, Mary, Did You Know?, We Are The Reason, How Great Is Our God