| by Lauren  | DVD/Blu-ray movies, books and games debut on Tuesdays, so here's a list of the new geeky items for your media binging pleasure! Today's Highlight: PTX Vol. III  |
I know we usually feature movies, books or games (see below), but this is my column and I am excited about this!!! Pentatonix is an amazing 5-person a cappella group that takes vocal music to a whole 'nother level. I've seen them live and they are as good in person as they are on YouTube and on their albums.
Vol. III is their first release since signing a deal with RCA records, so the production value is much higher than previous releases. You can tell their sound has been influenced greatly by their world tour last year with new beats and even a cover of a dance-y foreign language track, Papatoui, by Belgian artist Stromae, beautifully performed, in French, by Scott Hoying. The song also features their second collaboration with violinist, Lindsey Sterling.
They have the standard amazing PTX cover arraignments of recent pop songs such as Problem by Arianna Grande (Ft. Iggy Azalea), and Rather Be by Clean Bandit (ft. Jess Glenn) which is absolutely crushed by lead vocalist Kirstie Maldonado.
But the real stars of the EP are the original tracks. On My Way Home has a wicked smooth groove backed by an unexpected African-style chorus back beat- an excellent driving track. See Through is a club-style dance track featuring the soaring falsetto of Mitch Grassi, and held down by the flawless beatboxing and bass of Kevin Olusola and Avi Kaplan.
The crowning jewel of the album is the final track, Standing By. Written by Pentatonix while on tour, this slow then surprisingly uplifting song is performed beautifully by the group's bass, Avi Kaplan, on lead. It gave me goosebumps. I wish they would play music like this on the radio - it is better than most of the crap out there.
Vol. III is their first release since signing a deal with RCA records, so the production value is much higher than previous releases. You can tell their sound has been influenced greatly by their world tour last year with new beats and even a cover of a dance-y foreign language track, Papatoui, by Belgian artist Stromae, beautifully performed, in French, by Scott Hoying. The song also features their second collaboration with violinist, Lindsey Sterling.
They have the standard amazing PTX cover arraignments of recent pop songs such as Problem by Arianna Grande (Ft. Iggy Azalea), and Rather Be by Clean Bandit (ft. Jess Glenn) which is absolutely crushed by lead vocalist Kirstie Maldonado.
But the real stars of the EP are the original tracks. On My Way Home has a wicked smooth groove backed by an unexpected African-style chorus back beat- an excellent driving track. See Through is a club-style dance track featuring the soaring falsetto of Mitch Grassi, and held down by the flawless beatboxing and bass of Kevin Olusola and Avi Kaplan.
The crowning jewel of the album is the final track, Standing By. Written by Pentatonix while on tour, this slow then surprisingly uplifting song is performed beautifully by the group's bass, Avi Kaplan, on lead. It gave me goosebumps. I wish they would play music like this on the radio - it is better than most of the crap out there.
****See this week's major new movies, books and games after the jump!****
  | DVD/Bluray Defiance: The Second Season Neighbors How I Met Your Mother: The Whole Story The Rover Books The Hawley Book of the Dead: A Novel by Chrysler Szarlan Descent Into Darkness (Bound to the Abyss Book 2) by James R .Vernon The Prophecy Con (Rogues of the Republic Book 2) by Patrick Weekes Games Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes (PS3, PS4) Gauntlet (PC) CastleStorm: The Definitive Edition (PS4) Defense Grid 2 (PS4 and XBox One) Killer Instinct: Combo Breaker Pack (XBox One) FIFA 15 (PC, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, XBox360, Xbox One) Frozen Synapse Prime (PSNV) Hyrule Warriors (WiiU) |
