Ball In The House are at the forefront of the new contemporary vocal band sound. Distinguished by all original material, punchy vocal bass and drums, wailing guitar and a generally rawer, "rock" approach, the six young men of this Boston group get down more than most. "The More That I Say" builds up to a rambunctious outro that is a vocal percussion extravaganza. "Crawlin'" is bluesy roots rock with an updated seventies feel; "Try" an urban soul ballad, a modernized street corner harmony. In general, if you like a "heavier" sound with your a cappella, you'll be loving Ball In The House.

Songlist: Home, Don't Say Your Sorry, Burned, Fantasyland, Should I, Giving You Me, The More That I Say, Helen, I Couldn't Run, Crawlin', Ask, Gravity Buster, Try, Get It On

Penny Loafers : Side A   

The U of Pennsylvania's mixed-voice, 14-strong a cappella rock and pop group has been sharpening its vocal chops in various incarnations for over 20 years now, and it shows. We raved over their previous CD, "Quicksound," and it's clear from the first notes of Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," Dido's "Don't Leave Home," Guster's "Careful" and Nelly Furtado's "Try" that the '04-'05 Loafers have a rich sound and confident professionalism far beyond their years. Strong covers of The Indigo Girls' "Mystery," Rachel Yamagata's "Worn Me Down," Coldplay's "Warning Signs," The Strokes' "12:51" and Vanessa Carlton's "White Houses" feature solid vocal percussion, sweet leads and nice background vocals. 14 songs in total, without a single weak cut. A beautiful, spirited set from one of our favorite collegiate ensembles!

Songlist: Boulecard Of Broken Dreams, Don't Leave Home, Careful, Try, Take Me Away, Take Me Out, Mystery, Worn Me Down, Warning Signs, Another White Dash, 12.51, Collide, White Houses, Such Great Heights

Vox One : Pure Imagination   

What immediately strikes one upon listening to Vox One's new "Pure Imagination" CD is how good they are not in a flashy, notice we are brilliant singers kind of way, but in a deeply felt, technically beyond question, born to sing way that shows us all of us lesser talents how its done. After seven years, one of a cappella's most accomplished (and recognized) vocal jazz groups returns to the CD player with a satisfying collection of originals, covers and improvs. Yes, Vox One has matured and is exploring new styles, including Indian ragas and world music tinged vocal jams. For those loyal listeners who loved "Chameleon," "Out There" and "Say You Love Me" and have been waiting for an encore, there are the standards such as "Pure Imagination" (written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley), and the traditional "Aura Lee," but there are plenty of new songs composed by the group, as well as the six improvised tracks that offer plenty of room for the the five members (Yumiko Matsuoka, Paul Pampinella, Paul Stiller, Jodi Jenkins Ainsworth and Tom Baskett) to stake out new vocal territory. These Berklee College of Music faculty members exemplify what it is to harmonize, blend and intonate with sublime perfection, and we thank them!

Songlist: Pure Imagination, Kind of a 3Paul Stiller, Improv 1, Simple Gifts, Improv 2, Try, Take Me Out To The Ballgame, Improv 3, Woodstock, Leave It To Me, Improv 4, Aura Lee, Improv 5, I Wish, You Know