There's something wonderful to be said for co-ed a cappella. The melding of sonorous baritones with lilting sopranos results in a truly pretty mix that single-sex groups just can't imitate. This is why Tufts' Amalgamates have always had the ability to recreate believably a wide range of songs.
Skeptical of the a cappella madness? Want proof? The 'Mates newest offering, Juice, shines them in their best light yet. Juice captures the Amalgamates' staples that Jumbos have heard for the last two years. It's almost a soundtrack for upperclassmen; for newcomers, it's a solid introduction to one of Tufts' many prides in a cappella.
Because a cappella albums are essentially cover albums, the group has the task of pleasing a wide palette of campus musical tastes. Juice offers renditions of songs from artists as varied as Whitney Houston and Alice Cooper - an undertaking that, if done poorly, could easily end up a mess. Yet magically, none of the songs can be considered much of a stretch. The album's strength lies in the complexity of its arrangements and the pure talent that carries them out - they manage to make even Alice Cooper sound beautiful. Each song contains a rich background of vocal layers, and lead voices are filled with distinct personality. The songs' inner workings are so compelling that boredom with the sans-instruments style isn't a possibility.
These elements come together in Juice's strongest tracks: a dead-on interpretation of Toad the Wet Sprocket's "Fly from Heaven" and a simply beautiful rendition of Seal's "Don't Cry." Both are ideal songs in themselves, and the 'Mates have done them absolute justice. With great lead vocals and gorgeous backing music, they're impressive from start to finish. Not everything on the album is a grand production, and this is a good thing. The group calls on simplicity when needed, and it works. The Eagles' "Love Will Keep Us Alive," is sweet and to the point - it's the album's undeniable swooner.
And once again, the 'Mates prove their mastery at imitating U2 - 1998's Grandma's Campers' most notable track was the epic "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," and Juice follows up with a notable version of "Mysterious Ways" - always a favorite at concerts.
Yes, some less recognizable songs do fade into the background. Paula Cole Band's "I Believe in Love" and Annie Lennox's "Waiting in Vain" aren't as catchy and recognizable as the rest. They're extremely well done (especially the lead vocals on both), but just don't have the same beauty on record as they resonate live.
But they fit in as a part of Juice's whole picture, and it's a great one. It's an eclectic mix tape sung personally for Tufts students by Tufts students. And it's sung damn well.
