BOCA 2006 thoughts?

[jthelegend]

Come mid-November, you're likely to see that.

Dude, are you in the group or something? Perhaps maybe even the 2nd soloist on teh track? 'cause you seem mighty offended. Relax a bit, it's not changing my views anyway. On the whole, it's a strong album and that track in particular isn't bad, but that dude rubs me the wrong way and if anyone has heard the original song, it's very noticeable how off he is. I'm not saynig that I know all about how to interpret something, but unlike with changing things melodically while SINGING, it just sounds weird and possibly wrong when you change the timing of a RAP lyric. I say this as a lyricist myself....it just changes the flow and feel of the song. Rappers speak to a certain beat for a reason and just like with singing it changes the focus and emphasis with a different take, however with rap it doesn't particularly change the emotion of the song, so it just sounds very weird to mine and many of my friends' ears...who also happen to rap. But again, it's a strong album on the whole. Chill out. Take a Xanny, whatever you need to do and stop trying to pick a fight.

best,
James

[FriarEunuch]

Rappers speak to a certain beat for a reason and just like with singing it changes the focus and emphasis with a different take, however with rap it doesn't particularly change the emotion of the song, so it just sounds very weird to mine and many of my friends' ears...who also happen to rap.

I agree that he can’t keep up. He’s not as good as Twista. That said, show me a better rap track that’s not A) on Breeze, or B) Divisi’s “Yeah!” :)

On the whole, it's a strong album and that track in particular isn't bad, but that dude rubs me the wrong way and if anyone has heard the original song, it's very noticeable how off he is. I'm not saynig that I know all about how to interpret something, but unlike with changing things melodically while SINGING, it just sounds weird and possibly wrong when you change the timing of a RAP lyric. I say this as a lyricist myself....it just changes the flow and feel of the song.

I must say that I respectfully disagree that a slight alteration in a rap rhythm is more egregious than an alteration to a melodic line. I think the fact that you *know* what it’s supposed to sound like is affecting how you hear it. Many people dislike hearing a very familiar solo covered, for that very reason, and would probably be just as adamant about it. Both are overreactions, imo. Had you never heard the original version, you’d be duly impressed.

Dude, are you in the group or something? Perhaps maybe even the 2nd soloist on teh track? 'cause you seem mighty offended.

If you'd read any of HF's other posts, you'd know that's not the case.

You don't always have to compare someone to another aca group. It's fair to compare to the song that exists on the radio. Aca is a cover-based genre isn't it?

It is, but don’t we all wish it weren’t?

Chill out. Take a Xanny, whatever you need to do and stop trying to pick a fight.

Just want to point out that you were the one who dropped the f-bomb (in a public forum) immediately in your attempted refutation. Might want to take your own advice, you arrogant slob.

[H.F.]

Dude, are you in the group or something? Perhaps maybe even the 2nd soloist on teh track? 'cause you seem mighty offended. Relax a bit, it's not changing my views anyway. On the whole, it's a strong album and that track in particular isn't bad, but that dude rubs me the wrong way and if anyone has heard the original song, it's very noticeable how off he is. I'm not saynig that I know all about how to interpret something, but unlike with changing things melodically while SINGING, it just sounds weird and possibly wrong when you change the timing of a RAP lyric. I say this as a lyricist myself....it just changes the flow and feel of the song. Rappers speak to a certain beat for a reason and just like with singing it changes the focus and emphasis with a different take, however with rap it doesn't particularly change the emotion of the song, so it just sounds very weird to mine and many of my friends' ears...who also happen to rap. But again, it's a strong album on the whole. Chill out. Take a Xanny, whatever you need to do and stop trying to pick a fight.

best,
James

Busted! Put 'em up! Lol, just kidding...

Dude, I'm not even close to being offended, nor am I trying to change your views - why would I want to? There's not much point or reason. I'm also not the lyricist in question, nor in the group at all. You're a Rapper and are best buds with Twista and all, so it stands to reason you're gonna have strong feelings about the track - that's totally cool. And I don't disagree with parts of your assessment - I just don't see that it's germane to it's inclusion on BOCA.

And yeah, the "mid-November" comment was just a bit of fun :)

PS - I also enjoyed that track of yours. Good luck.

[sizzles]

I must say that I respectfully disagree that a slight alteration in a rap rhythm is more egregious than an alteration to a melodic line. I think the fact that you *know* what it’s supposed to sound like is affecting how you hear it. Many people dislike hearing a very familiar solo covered, for that very reason, and would probably be just as adamant about it. Both are overreactions, imo. Had you never heard the original version, you’d be duly impressed.

So, despite the fact that I have nothing to do with listening to this album, and because I obviously know James, I gotta comment on this.

James does make a good point. Rhythm is a huge part of Rap. If you change it, you change the song far more than adding trills to a song, changing some note, etc IMO. The ability to take liberties is far greater in singing than in rap. I think it's just a simple fact from the format of the music. You could simply say the lyrics, and then it would be spoken word. You could go all twista on them, and then it would be ridiculous and hard to emulate. It changes the entire song, to me. And it would make me think that someone was messing up if I heard rhythms that differed from the original.

Case in point. No one was "allowed" to use syncopated rhythms for a long time, simply because JayZ had that rhythmic form down for so long. You could tell his songs by it. I don't find a good example in singing.

Just want to point out that you were the one who dropped the f-bomb (in a public forum) immediately in your attempted refutation. Might want to take your own advice, you arrogant slob.

Well that wasn't very nice.

[Nick Lyons]

It's funny, because when the Spartones' Stutter was recorded, it irritated me to NO END that the rap was "wrong." I mean, he wasn't even CLOSE to the original. And NO ONE complained, or even mentioned it. Granted, it's not the Clefs. The Clefs have come to set a certain standard when it relates to hip-hop and rap. But it seemed to be somewhat popular for awhile there...

The Clefs were TRYING to immitate the original... and when you attempt to do that and fail at something like rhythm in a rap, it's noticeable. Does that make it any less hot? Hell no.

Everyone should find a track that DEEMS this sort of childish banter, and stop arguing about the nuances of a rap line.

FriarEunuch said "respectfully disagree" and "you arrogant slob" in the same post... nice.

Nick

[jthelegend]

Everyone should find a track that DEEMS this sort of childish banter, and stop arguing about the nuances of a rap line.
Nick

Dude, no one has posted anything on the topic since wednesday morning, so obviously this "childish banter" as you so described it has subsided.

[dgooding]

Dude, I'm not even close to being offended, nor am I trying to change your views - why would I want to? There's not much point or reason. I'm also not the lyricist in question, nor in the group at all. You're a Rapper and are best buds with Twista and all, so it stands to reason you're gonna have strong feelings about the track - that's totally cool. And I don't disagree with parts of your assessment - I just don't see that it's germane to it's inclusion on BOCA.

Since we're talking about relevance to BOCA... let me confess that as the old fart half of the BOCA track-picking team, I would not notice subtle rhythmic changes in a rap.

Don Gooding

[dgooding]

when does BOCA line-up get announced?

I fly to San Francisco Wednesday, November 16. Deke Sharon and I listen until our ears bleed, and we'll likely post on this forum and rec.music.a-cappella by 7:00 pm PST on Friday the 18th.

I hope the "winners" won't be offended that they won't get an official email until late in the day on Monday the 21st when I'm back in Maine and fully recovered from a pre-holiday Monday.

Don Gooding

[deebee]

I'm putting my house down on one track from the Bubs' Shedding and the Harmonics' Shadowplay appearing on BOCA. Something's wrong with the process if these 2 albums are not recognized as "Best of Collegiate A Cappella" :) My picks would be Lets Get It Started from Shedding and The Memory Remains from Shadowplay. Going with the line of thought that BOCA always tries to include a diverse range of songs, Lets Get It Started is an great hip-hop flavored track. I don't think I've heard another group capture the essence of the Peas as well as the Bubs. The Memory Remains is... well... Metallica. How often do you see that in collegiate a cappella? Probably never. The sheer balls of attempting to pull of a Metallica cover, and succeeding wildly (all three RARB reviewers mentioned the track and gave it a 5), should be recognized. Plus, with such an out-of-the-world, scary, crazy, wild, loud, grungy, unconventional [insert random phrase that Brat's been described as on the RARB forums]... rock soloist, it simply needs to be on BOCA.

[Box_Beatin_Lady]

Which of the 2395739573489 versions of "Let Go" will get on. Maybe none. Now THAT would be funny.

[heartsirens]

We submitted a CD-R of our new CD (which has Let Go on it too, haha... but we were one of the first I swear!), but the real CD was released yesterday... should we send in a copy of our actual CD now that it's out, or does it matter?

[Box_Beatin_Lady]

Yeah, our group sent in a CDR of some of our closer-to-completed tracks, and one of them was "Let Go". At least it's not "Bring Me to Life". :)

Umm I think if they take a song they ask you to send in the completed CD by the end of the year? If I remember correctly. I could definitely be wrong though so you may want to double check.

[jonpilat]

We submitted a CD-R of our new CD (which has Let Go on it too, haha... but we were one of the first I swear!), but the real CD was released yesterday... should we send in a copy of our actual CD now that it's out, or does it matter?

Make sure you submit the finished CD to the CARA awards.

To submit an album:

Mail us two (2) production copies of the album, including liner notes and in any final retail packaging. Mail albums to the following address:
CARA Submissions
c/o CASA
325 Sharon Park Drive, Suite 110
Menlo Park, CA 94025-6805 U.S.A.

[harry]

I am a fan of OTB's version of Let Go. Sounds so good and the soloist is dead on. Haven't heard the others so not fair to make the call but it is definitely a great version. At the same time, I think In the Meantime (maybe since I simply love the song), Broken (fits the BOCA mold), Pain (the build to the end is very energetic and cool), or Passive (seems to be others' fave on the forum) are better songs on Float. But who knows what the judges are looking for for 2006...

[sbisker]

Add one more to the list of groups submitting "Let Go." ;-)

Anyhow. I noticed Northwestern Purple Haze was submitting this year. Haven't heard them mentioned in a while, but they had good tracks on BOCA 2004 and 2003 (and their website!). But again, haven't heard their unreleased CD-R. Pesky CD-Rs....

[Edit - oh, right. I'm in MIT Resonance. Thought I had a signature on this forum.]