PM || FEATURES

TEXT: Monroe London

A little over a decade ago, artist/group of all backgrounds were itching to debut themselves on to the scene, making sure to hit up MTV, 'Showtime at the Apollo', or Star Search. It was simple. SING. No where to hide. Musicians placed into a situation where they were forced to be one hundred percent transparent, in front of an audience that didn't know you from Adam and were itching to "BOOOO" you off the stage upon the first instance of fear. God forbid you were off-key for a milli second, that was your death card.

Granted times change and the sound of popular music changes with it, but when did singing from the vocal chords become passe and replaced with the vocoder. What was a clever sound and was used every now-and-then to reference that old school 'Computer Love' feeling. Giving us that classic throw back vibe. Is this becoming our modern rendition of 80s-esque technotron, robotic pop locking sounds.

Is it too much to ask for a girl group with 5 women to be able to sing in harmony and not unison on every track? Let alone expect for people to by music that has 5-star studio quality but the instant its the stage and goes LIVE-- we're reaching for the mute button; watching in silence.

So PM explores the world of acapella music. Two words: complete exposure. Every note, breathe, and pause are heard. At the University of Maryland, The Generics, an all-male acapella singing group arrange many selections both and original and of popular music. With theatrics that match the level of musicality, even without a thumping beat you're still nodding your head and steadily watching and listening.