Matt Rod/The Rubix -The Rubix EP

Matt Rod/The Rubix – The Rubix EP
2012, Matt Rod

Matt Rod, AKA The Rubix, is a South African born songwriter and producer now living on the West Coast of the United States.  The Berklee College of Music graduate thinks outside the genre box, recognizing that many people don’t listen to distinct genres or styles of music anymore.  Rod writes to the schizophonic market tastes brought on by the breaking away of the industry from traditional album formats.  This break is readily apparent on Rubix EP, which is really a collection of songs done in collective style.  Matt Rod writes, produces and plays guitar on each track, but he brings in talented musical friends to fill out the sound.

The Rubix’ latest single is “Someone To Hold My Hand”, featuring Mario Jose (Pitch Slapped) on vocals.  The swaying Bossa Nova pop love song is a treat for the ears, and Jose’s voice is smooth like butter.  Matt Rod’s starry-eyed lyrics combine with the rest to make this perfect mix-tape fodder.  “I’m No Lady” is an incredibly catchy dance/pop number that features the killer pipes of Christina Brehm (think Heart’s Ann Wilson as a pop diva and you’ll get the picture).  Also featured is Vice V, about whom we’ll talk more later.  This number will get your feet moving and your heart pumping.  “Days Of Our Youth” features the aforementioned Vice V and his distinctive rhyming style on a catchy, mid-tempo hip-hop vibe with definite flow.  Matt Rod has built a cool yet persistent hook into the arrangement that you simply cannot escape.  The chorus, in particular, will set up shop in your brain for days.

“Like A Record” features the edgy, sexy voice of Hannah Juliano (Pitch Slapped, Delilah, Musae).  This is the darkest piece on the EP, an alterna-pop gem that imprints itself on you immediately.  This is one of those melodies you’ll be humming for days.  If one track from the EP were to be picked for major distribution at commercial radio, this would be it.  That’s not a knock on any of the other songs here, but “Like A Record” has that extra something that marks a hit.

Fans of NBC’s The Sing Off, and in particular of acapella groups Pitched Slapped or Delilah will find a lot to love on The Rubix EP.  Rubix is Matt Rod, as noted above, but it is also the expression of his songwriting by the friends and colleagues he has surrounded himself with. The Rubix has the potential to be a veritable hit machine, attacking radio and sales charts from all angles, directions and genres.  The Rubix EP is a brilliant introduction to a top notch songwriter coming fully into his own in an era where heterogeneity of songwriting styles is welcomed with open arms.  The fact that he has surrounded himself with such brilliant purveyors of his songs is the gravy that makes the meal.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.mattrodmusic.com. 

The Yale Whiffenpoofs - The Best Whiffenpoofs Ever

The Yale Whiffenpoofs - The Best Whiffenpoofs Ever

2010, The Whiffenpoofs Of Yale University, Inc.

When you think of college acapella groups, The Yale Whiffenpoofs should be the first group that jumps to mind.  Intellectual arguments turn to fisticuffs in the Ivy League when debating who get there first, but there's no argument that the Whiffenpoofs have been the most enduring of the bunch.  Still clad in the tux and tales outfits that have been their trademark since the dawn of the 20th century, The Whiffenpoofs are as much a part of Yale culture as beanies and secret societies.  The group raised their national stature a few notches higher this past December with their appearances on NBC's The Sing Off!, but The Whiffenpoofs were known around the world long before Ben Folds ever dreamt up his TV show.  In 2010, The Whiffenpoofs released their latest album, The Best Whiffenpoofs Ever, a 17-song collection that mixes tradition and imagination in equal measure.

The Best Whiffenpoofs Ever opens with "Nature Boy", in a great arrangement that's a bit more upbeat than you might be used to hearing.  The reading offered here gives the classic tune a dramatic, spy-thriller flare that's amusing.  "Haven't Met You Yet" features a nice, easy-going vocal line that fits nicely into the harmonic basked of the arrangement.  "Rainbow Connection" is sweet and lyric, with a rolling, wave-like feel in the harmonies.  "Midnight Train To Georgia" has the 'IT' factor in the lead vocal line, contrasted with exceedingly smooth backing vocals.

"Down By The Salley Gardens" dips deep into the Whiffenpoofs repertoire a William Butler Yeats derivative of the song "The Rambling Boys Of Pleasure".  The lead vocal is solid, but the vocal arrangement is painted in ethereal pastels in a quasi-baroque setting.  "Too Darn Hot" is done as a snappy jazz number that's highly entertaining, and probably more so when seen live.  The Whiffenpoofs take on Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell on "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You".  The lead vocal here is a refreshingly clear tenor and resonates in the clean, open arrangement.  "Leavin' On A Jet Plane" is well constructed, building up vocal ladders into a pyramid of angelic harmonies.  The mellow lead vocal line here is a nice touch that simply adds to the magic.  Next up, Kurt Weill gets the Whiffenpoof treatment in "September Song", a reverential reading that's striking in its beauty.

The absolute highlight of the album, however, is a tune written by former Whiffenpoof Jonathan Coulton (Yale '93).  "Re: Your Brains" is brilliantly constructed and full of wicked humor as it deconstructs a classic movie zombie tale in eight part harmony.  You need to hear this tune even if you've never heard Coulton's original.  Don't be surprised if some savvy Broadway producer doesn't latch onto this tune and build a musical around it.  "When The Saints Go Marchin' In" shows real moxie.  Opening with a bass solo is unusual and appealing, but the vocalist, who really isn't bad, just doesn't have the presence to carry this.  The arrangement is solid and the overall performance excellent.  The scat breakdown after the first verse is entertaining.  The Whiffenpoofs even pull some Gospel sounds out of the process, evolving into a Take-6 like coda.  The whole enterprise eventually resolves into an MGM-end theme style at the close.

The Whiffenpoofs step back in time with their proverbial theme "The Whiffenpoof Song".  The arrangement is beautiful, but there is the power and force of a charismatic history behind the song that is palpable.  It's a compelling listen.  The album closes with a spirited rendition of the classic gospel tune "Operator".  The Take-6 sound comes back here in small measure, but there's also a showy aspect of the rendition that reminds one of old-time radio.  The song is tight, well-arrangement and perfectly executed.

The Whiffenpoofs as a historical organization have probably forgotten more about acapella singing than many of the newer groups today even know.  The Best Whiffenpoofs Ever is probably a subject open for debate amongst alumni of the group, but there's no doubt that the current crop of The Yale Whiffenpoofs live up to the name measure for measure.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about the Yale Whiffenpoofs at www.whiffenpoofs.com.  The Best Whiffenpoofs Ever is available on CD from the Whiffenpoofs Store.  Digital versions of the album are available from Amazon.com and iTunes.