There aren’t that many people who like – nay love – a cappella groups. Still stuck on the image of these groups to be a scattering of retired, golf-loving men, it was a pleasant surprise to hear the freshness of Orange Appeal’s new album ‘Live.’ However, the name of the CD could have better reflected the youthfulness and creativity of the group’s newest production.

More varied than the latest edition of ‘Now! That’s What I Call Music,’ the album features songs originally done by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Styx, James Taylor, Death Cab for Cutie, The Fray and even a medley of songs by Queen. The hottest track though has to be a remix/compilation of both Sean Kingston’s ‘Beautiful Girls’ and Ben E. King’s ‘Stand by Me.’ (It’s fun to watch too – YouTube it and look out for some sweet dance moves.)

The all-male a cappella group – who can belt out the high tunes of ‘Stand by Me,’ the near chanting of James Taylor’s ‘That Lonesome Road’ and then switch to low pitches of the traditional tune ‘The Battle of Jericho’ – really makes its mark in its perfect harmonies and background and vocal instrumentation.

For example, while Death Cab for Cutie is known for lead singer Ben Gibbard’s airy vocals, Orange Appeal’s darker cover of ‘Steadier Footing’ is just as good with its low vocal harmonies that melt into the smooth, poppy melody. All of this without instruments. The track lasts about two minutes and leaves the listener nearly stunned at the conclusion.

There are also a few moments that the live property of the album is not a good thing, and the extra studio editing could have made that pitch just right or cleaned up some slightly off rhythms.

The quality of the recording could be a little stronger, as it gets hard to make out vocals through enthusiastic fans, and some of the background vocal instrumentation is missed because of this. But, as with all live recordings, the addition of the cheering fans only adds to the energy of the album.

Orange Appeal achieved the perfect line up and ordering of a variation of songs that has prevented many an aspiring mix-tape maker from success. The darker ‘Steadier Footing’ flows into The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ breezy ‘Under the Bridge,’ then into the pop-favorite ‘How to Save a Life’ by The Fray.

Top songs, though, would have to be the cover of ‘Stacey’s Mom’ – you thought you had escaped its catchiness – and ‘How to Save a Life,’ as Mike Kuhn’s voice is near heaven and the cause of me putting this track on repeat for a good hour.

Track List:

1. ‘Time is Running Out’ – Muse

2. ‘Stacy’s Mom’ – Fountains of Wayne

3. ‘Walk Away Renée’ – The Left Banke

4. ‘Just What I Needed’ – The Cars

5. ‘Bubble Toes’ – Jack Johnson

6. ‘Steadier Footing’ – Death Cab for Cutie

7. ‘Under the Bridge’ – Red Hot Chili Peppers

8. ‘How to Save a Life’ – The Fray

9. ‘The Battle of Jericho’ – Traditional Spiritual

10. ‘That Lonesome Road’ – James Taylor

11. ‘God Save the Queen (Queen Medley)’

12. ‘Come Sail Away’ – Styx

13. ‘She’s Got a Way’ – Billy Joel

14. ‘Stand By Me ft. Beautiful Girls’ – Ben E. King/ Sean Kingston

akalliso@syr.edu

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by Rachel Eldridge

Orange Appeal, Syracuse University’s only all-male a cappella group, released its second album ‘Live’ last week. Nathan Meredith, the director of Orange Appeal talked to The Daily Orange about the thought process behind the new album.

Daily Orange: What is the difference between Orange Appeal’s first album, ‘Sense of Urgency,’ and the new album?

Nathan Meredith: ‘Sense of Urgency’ was a studio album. It was also our first production. It’s a couple years old, so it’s almost a completely different group between the two albums.

D.O.: How has the university responded to album?

N.M.: We had a great turnout last weekend at the release party. We wanted to thank all those people who came. We have been selling a good amount at each of our shows.

D.O.: Why will Orange Appeal not be competing at the International Championship of Collegiate (ICCA) A Cappella?

N.M.: We decided that we were going to put our efforts into hosting. This past weekend, six a cappella groups from surrounding colleges came to compete on the SU campus for the ICCA quarter finals. Our responsibility was to set up the event. We opened with a song, and while the judges were deliberating, we sang for about a half hour.

D.O.: Who chose the songs for the new album?

N.M.: Ultimately, it was my decision, but it was also a group decision. We went through and listened to the recordings that we had and picked out the best songs.

D.O.: How can you purchase the new album?

N.M.: Right now, the only way is to contact one of the members, or you can go to orangeappeal.net to purchase one.

Published on February 11, 2008 at 12:00 pm