Review: Since Moira Smiley and VOCO's surprise win at the 2007 Harmony Sweeps Finals, NBC's launch of their new hit "The Sing-Off," based on the Sweeps, and the runaway hit "Glee," Los Angeles seems to have become a musical hotbed, an a cappella Mecca if you will. In the thick of this vocal revolution, rising like sweet harmonic cream out of UCLA's crazed a cappella scene in 2008, 3-man, three-woman Sonos performed their debut concert at a hotel cafe, and released their debut CD, "SonoSings." Group member Jessica Freedman: "We do our best to defy stereotypes." Ben McLain: "The whole approach has been to distance ourselves from kitsch." Rachel Bearer: "And we don't go 'dow.'" Freedman explains: "That's one of the words vocal groups use to emulate an instrument, like a guitar, with a made-up syllable." Sonos' sound is clean and rich, resonating with technically augmented vocal percussion, perfect leads and a surprising blend of intricately arranged harmonies. The result is a powerful, moving experience that invites comparison with such artists as the Real Group, Vox One and The Idea of North. There are 10 cuts here, and we had to listen two or three times to the album to fully appreciate songs like Priscilla Bearer's original "Ave Maria," Bates & Alfred Burt's "All on a Christmas Morning," Jessica's original "Come December," the traditional tunes "O Holy Night," "Greensleeves," "I Saw Three Ships," "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" and "Janette Isabella," all very non-traditionally arranged; another stunning Priscilla Bearer original, "For Samuel," and Ben McClain's haunting (possibly synthesizer accompanied) "Home." Amazing. One of the best we've heard this year (or ever). "December Songs" is what the LA a cappella revolution sounds like!

Songlist: Ave Maria, All on a Christmas Morning, Come December, O Holy Night, Greensleeves, I Saw Three Ships, Come thou Fount of every Blessing, Janette Isabella, For Samuel, Home

Review: Los Angeles-based 3-man, three woman sextet Sonos are part of UCLA's wildly proliferating a cappella scene, debuting in December of 2008 at the Hotel Cafe with an "intimate, yet scorching performance...brimming with fiery fervor, major dynamics and sexual tension," according to Deli Magazine. Sonos aims to turn the a cappella genre on its head, with bold reinterpretations of artists who inspire them, Radiohead ("Everything in Its Right Place"), Sara Bareilles (also a UCLA alum who joins Sonos on her "Gravity"), Fleet Foxes ("White Winter Hymnal"), Bon Iver ("Re:Stacks"), Rufus Wainwright ("Oh What A World"), Bjork ("Joga") and Imogen Heap ("Come Here Boy"). They also reinvent the Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" with a hip-hop rendition, and have a soulful take on Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence." Sonos has a wonderfully sophisticated, sweetly harmonic sound that lends itself well to these innovative, often surprising arrangements. Let us be clear, Sonos is an a cappella force to be reckoned with, especially with the rise of a cappella in Hollywood to the mainstream with groups like Harmony Sweeps champs Moira Smiley and VOCO, and hit series like "Glee." An impressive debut release!

Songlist: Re: Stacks, Everything in It's Right Place, Gravity, I Want You Back, Again and Again, Little Bird, Come Here Boy, Enjoy the Silence, Bittersweet, Oh What a World, Joga, White Winter Hymnal