I'm a sucker for all things Disney, I am. Even this weekend as the Ace Gang sat down to watch a movie, I made them sit through the latest Disney shorts (Tangled Ever After and Toy Story Hawaiin Vacation - both brilliant). So when I first heard of VoicePlay a few weeks back, I thought, ooo this is just the type of group that will get me in the mood for my Florida holiday in November. And I was right. Their debut album is now on sale and what a magical treat it is. Here's what I think of it...
VoicePlay ~ Once Upon An Ever After:
VoicePlay are an amazing aural treat for young and old alike. Their music-with-no-instruments sound relies solely on their stunning vocal abilities. Together they weave together their voices to create a rich, textured and layered sound that is resonant with their harmonies & rife with their creative ways of creating instrumental sounds. Put this together with their inventive medleys of classic Disney tunes and you have an album that is guaranteed to entertain - either adults embracing their inner kid/sucuumbing to nostalgia, or kids discovering new and exciting ways music can be presented. VoicePlay give something for all.
It all kicks off with Celebrate You, the Corbin Bleu track that was used as the official theme to the 2009 Year of Celebration at Disneyland resort. It's perhaps the most pop radio friendly track on the album - indeed, it sounds like something One Direction or Big Time Rush might perform as a harmonic Christmas single. Their beatbox percussion genuinely sounds like a propulsive drum beat - and actually, this would serve as a brilliant medley with Call Me Maybe & What Makes You Beautiful. It actually works all year round, but does sound deliciously festive. And for more seasonal goodness, their spooky cover of This Is Hallowe'en is a ghoulish romp, while Grim Grinning Ghosts brings to life every haunted house you've ever walked past. Particularly of note is the spine tingling bass vocals which conjour up an aura of mystical mischief. Musical alchemy!
Of the Disney medley tracks, Return Of The King is an excellent introduction to how they operate. They easily shift from reverent (Circle of Life) to exuberant (Just Can't Wait To Be King) to malevolent cunning (Be Prepared), providing more of a complete theatrical experience than just your every day pop song. They also seem to infuse the song with a passion for what they do, which makes me eager to see them live. if you want to check out their sound before purchasing the album, you can download the track free by rightclicking the link and saving. So generous :D These marvelous medlies continue with Tale As Old As Time (naturally a Beauty and The Beast encompassing a sweetly melodic Be Our Guest, a playful Gaston through to a beautifully studied take on the movie's title track); Pumpkins, Poppins & Sorcerers (commencing with the lullaby like A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes - showcasing their exquisite ability to create seamlessly weaving harmonies, a gleeful rendering of Bippity Boppity Boo and a languid, lazy day take on Let's Go Fly A Kite. The real joy here is how they mix the musical version of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, complete with the requisite chanted spelling, with the much beloved movie version. Joyous!); and Diamond In The Rough (an Aladdin medley, featuring Prince Ali, Whole New World & Friend Like Me).
All too soon the album comes to a close, but not before a sensational choral version of When You Wish Upon A Star. For a few minutes, it's inherent inspiration whisks you away from the cares of everyday life as you soar along with the fellas voices. It's the moments like this that make the entire album a rewarding & pleasurable experience. Now to get over to the States and see them live :D
Purchase here (UK) and here (USA)...
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