Review: The fourth excellent CD by Utah-based, all male Contemporary octet Octappella, who apply their trademark intricate, tight harmonies, cutting-edge arrangements and bright, solid vocal percussion to 13 Christmas favorites. Jester Hairston's "Mary's Little Boy Child," the wonderful original "Come and See" by group member Matt Cropper (who also does a lot of Octappella's arrangements), a marvelous arrangement of "O Come All Ye Faithful," a sizzling, jazzy rendition of Sammy Cahn's "Let It Snow," Jay Althouse's spirited foot-tapper "Whisper! Whisper!," a pair of innovative Deke Sharon arrangements, "O Come O Come Emanuel" and "Sleigh Ride," "O Holy Night," another nice original, "Christmas Time," by group member Wes Brewer; and the spirited "Child of God" by Emily Crocker are immediate favorites. But "Stars Were Gleaming," "Once in Royal David's City" and "Joy to the World" are also incredible, as if we are hearing these standards for the first time. A brilliant, fun, seemingly effortless, envelope-pushing collection-one of the best we've heard this year!

Songlist: Mary's Little Boy Child, Come And See, O Come All Ye Faithful, Let It Snow, Stars Were Gleaming, Whisper! Whisper!, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Sleigh Ride, O Holy Night, Christmas Time, Child Of God, Once In Royal David's City, Joy To The World

Review: This is the second CD by the eight young men of the Contemporary group Octappella, and it includes some very impressive original material written by group members, notably "The Voice," "Awe," "When I First Saw You" and "With A Friend," and some wonderful covers, like Kurt Bestor's "Prayer of the Children," "Baldhemian Rhapsody," after Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson's "I Want You Back" and U2's "MLK." Also beautifully done are "Man in Motion," "In My Dreams" and "Standing Outside the Fire." Excellent vocal percussion, smooth, rich harmonies and what we can only refer to as a depth of feeling, make this CD impressive on many levels, and we can say that it is one of the best Contemporary CDs we've heard this year. Octappella is in"Motion!"

Songlist: Man in Motion, The Voice, In My Dreams, Standing Outside the Fire, Awe, Prayer of the Children, When I First Saw You, I Want You Back, With a Friend, Baldhemian Rhapsody, Come Sail Away, MLK

Review: The eight young male members of Octappella, in the first year and a half since they got together, have worked to establish, of course, their own group character and image, but most of all their uniqueness as a group specializing in vocal instrumentation and complex, tight harmonies. Their first CD, "Motion,"and now "The Voice"are proof of how much they have succeeded. There are 14 surprising, harmonic gems on "The Voice,"covers of: "Make Me Lose Control,""Time of Your Life,""Earth Angel/Silhouettes,""Light In Your Eyes,""Greatest American Hero,""That Lonesome Road,""Oh, L'Amour,""Lobster,""Kiss The Girl,""Wildflowers,""Grow Old With Me,""That's What Friends Are For,"the title tune and "Trashin' The Camp."In the areas of artistic interpretation, vocal ability, arrangements and performance personality, Octappella is pushing the a cappella envelope. Listen to "The Voice"and see if you don't agree with us that these eight guys are going places-fast!

Songlist: Make Me Lose Control, Time Of Your Life, Earth Angel / Silhouettes, Light In Your Eyes, Greatest American Hero, That Lonesome Road, Oh L'Amour, Lobster, Kiss The Girl, Wildflowers, Grow Old With Me, That's What Friends Are For, The Voice, Trashin' The Camp

Review: The 8 members of Utah-based Octappella met while singing in a college musical ensemble, forming Octappella in the summer of 1999, and now work to promote the popular and growing genre of a cappella music. Specializing in vocal instrumentation and complex, tight harmonies, the group has 2 previous CDs, "The Voice" and "Motion." "Worship" has 17 songs that represent the group's belief in "uplifting, eternal principles." Group member Matt Cropper does most of the arranging, and contributes some nice originals, "Look to God and Live," "Anthem to My King" and "Gloria." "Come, Come Ye Saints," "Keeper of the Flame" "Jesu, the Very Thought is Sweet," "For Always" and traditionals "O Holy Night," "Nearer My God to Thee/Beautiful Savior" and Jean Sibelius' "Be Still My Soul" are favorites. The group has a rich, harmonic choral sound, and the finely-crafted "Worship" touches and moves us on many levels!

Songlist: Come Come Ye Saints, Look To God And Live, Anthem To Our King, If You Could Hie To Kolob, Praise To The Lord, The Almighty, Keeper Of The Flame, Redeemer Of Israel, O Holy Night, I Need Thee Every Hour, Gloria, Jesu, The Very Thought Is Sweet, My Country Tis Of Thee, The Spirit Of God, For Always, Nearer To My God/Beautiful Savior, The Spirit Lord Has Stirred Our Souls, Be Still My Soul