Five O'Clock Shadow : Misfit Toys   

1999 5-song EP from Boston contemporary group Five O'Clock Shadow, who have emerged from recent changes in personnel sounding better than ever. The three original compositions are catchy and radio-friendly, and the production features big vocal guitars, drums and bass, in the "vocal band" style. "Santa Says Rock" really does, getting just a bit outside and curling its lip in a sneer. "It's Christmas" has that Euro-pop sound, with a vocal keyboard line that tattoos the brain, and a chunky backbeat. "Silent Night" becomes a midtempo ballad, with a steamy guitar lead.

Songlist: Watching The Tracks, Santa Says Rock, Little Drummer Boy, It's Christmas, Silent Night

This is the first CD with Paul Pampinella and Samrat Chakrabarti (some will remember Paul from the vastly popular Vox One). The group has released a solid and technically accomplished record of pop originals in the "blue-eyed soul" vein. The two covers include what is definitely the flashiest tune, the'70's booty shaker "Get Down Tonight." The stylized, crisp and layered production, as well as the energy of the performance, is the album's piece de resistance. The originals are more subtle, and we recommend you give them your undivided and rapt attention for full enjoyment; the spot-on harmonies, expert arrangements and tasteful percussion show why Five O'Clock Shadow is highly recognized among listeners and a cappella singers alike. A syncopated toe-tapper, "Stop and Say Hello" is off of their third CD, '"So There." From the New England region, Five O'Clock Shadow has refined their skills through constant touring on the college circuit. Preparing to parlay their already considerable success into greater exposure before a larger audience, the group throws down the gauntlet with superb songwriting and skillful taut production.

Songlist: Mine Tonight, What's It All About, Far Away, Hold Me For Awhile, Thinking Of You, Stop And Say Hello, Move On, If You Could Only See, Get Down Tonight/That's The Way, Tribute

Let's make this clear up front - this is an a cappella recording, but if you didn't know that, you might think the group has a full band behind them. Through the wonders of effects processing, these 13 original songs push at the boundaries of previously held definitions of a cappella! The production adds tones that could only be made by instruments before, and while Five O' Clock Shadow is still essentially a pop band, they have more grit and a welcome edge. The arrangements, as exemplified by the wistfully engaging "Halo" and progressive "Interlude," are intricately textured and choreographed. The title track, with its hip descending line and devastatingly singable melody, should be igniting radios everywhere. The FOCS have been VH1 darlings of late, and we can hear why.

Songlist: Inside Her Mouth, Wonders Of The World, Few and Far Between, I'm Right, Interlude #1, Halo, 29, Interlude #2, Aggression, What's It's all About?, Images, Interlude #3, Promise You This