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Pentatonix: Season 3 Champs


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I'm not being rhetorical but...what does the worldwide Sony/ATV publishing deal mean? Can PTX's original music be used in movies or tv shows? Could it mean the Daft Punk medley doesn't have as many hurdles to clear to be used in movies or tv? Is my thinking too narrow?

Daft Punk, the group, probably still owns most of the rights there. I mean technically it's a cover, I think, even if it's also a mashup of several other songs, so whatever was negotiated for them to use it for their album in the first place applies, but it's unlikely that included using it in other media.  There'd have to be a renegotiation.

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Promo is ramping up. There was a really cool TV spot (still trying to find a HQ version). The physical copy looks amazing, really cool design. Really like the idea of the 5 color scheme they got going on as it can be incorporated into everything and stand out. That TV ad was just colorful.

 

This Billboard article is very intriguing. There's a video that goes along with it and a very snazzy photoshoot. (Don't know why billboard won't release HD pics though)

 

“Pentatonix is Nirvana -- they’re breaking the glass ceiling,” says a cappella singer-guru Deke Sharon.

Pentatonix-bb31-2015-billboard-03-1000.jPentatonix-bb31-2015-billboard-05-1000.j

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Interestingly enough, Billboard currently has this "Social Media Stars" contest going, and I can't help but think a year or two ago PTX would have been part of that, but have now been "promoted" outside that consideration.

 

Actually the credibility of their picking process IS a little suspect, since the repulsive Frankie Grande is one of their nominees.

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Those are totally ridiculous shoes Kirstin is wearing. They're like 7 inch heels.

Probably best that she's not airborne like the rest of them, in that first photo. But to compensate, she's balancing on one heel.

 

Good job by Avi if that was a standing jump.

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I wasn't expecting PTX to open the show. And I certainly didn't think they'd also stand behind Higgins during Jimmy's monologue (and have the camera cut to Higgins/them a few times). I was expecting an album plug--but not that early on.

Edited by SrPab
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I was thinking earlier that it would really show off their chops if they could imitate the Roots for the intro, and they did!

Can't ask for much more than to open the show, perform during the opening, and then have Jimmy flashing the album before, during and after their performance.

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I watched the end of my local newscast and they had a plug for Jimmy Fallon on it with Tom Hanks sitting next to him. When Jimmy mentioned having Pentatonix on, Tom mouthed "I love Pentatonix". Very nice.

 

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That Tonight Show appearance could not have gone any better! Definitely got peak exposure, and the performance of CSL was excellent. Fell asleep on the couch, so I was glad I had dvr'd it, and I'll be watching it again.

I downloaded the album and listened to it before watching the show. Initial impression is overall good. At first, I was thinking there was a lot of studio trickery going on, but it is not as prevalent on my second listen.

I can't believe that they weren't going to include Cracked until they heard the positive feedback from the documentary, because I think it's one of the strongest tracks on the album.

Edited by Sharpie66
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Also, on nbc.com--Can't Sleep Love from Fallon: http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/pentatonix-cant-sleep-love/2922089 (not yet on Youtube at this time, but it might show up later there)

 

One of those rare times it sounds like a TV show got their levels completely correct (a very good time for that to happen).


I also wonder if they've started bringing their own mikes to shows. Those don't look like what The Tonight Show usually uses.

Edited by Kromm
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LOVE Jimmy Fallon's enthusiasm!  That was great.  How did they get the audience to stay quiet?  Did they give everyone bark collars?  Lol.

 

One of those rare times it sounds like a TV show got their levels completely correct (a very good time for that to happen).

They also did the thing I love so much in their videos - the cameras gave us a good luck at each person at a time.  

 

My daughter, who has not followed them as closely as I have, commented that Mitch has lost a ton of weight in the past couple of years, which is true.  Having said that, I loved his sweater (and Avi looked sharp).  I sort of missed Scott and Kirsti's usual style, though.

 

More high profile spots like that for them, please.  Thank you for posting, Kromm!

 

ETA: I just discovered that pre-ordering on Amazon means that I can listen to the album on my computer right now!  Right now, I tell you!  (And, with that, I enter the 21st century.)  No surprise, I love the album.  First track had me snapping my fingers and grooving in my chair.  3rd through 5th, I had to get up and dance.  I really love the chords (and everything, including the lower parts) about Ref.  Lots of Scott, which makes me happy, and Kirsti's harmonies stood out to me on first listen.  Who is talking on First Things First?

 

Finally, I'm really glad they put in some of their slower songs, which come in late in the album. 

Edited by ToxicUnicorn
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I've listened to the album pretty much non-stop since I woke up on the couch in the middle of the night (I hate it when I can't get back to sleep after a nap!). After multiple listenings, IMO the weakest songs are Rose Gold and First Things First, although the latter one is starting to grow on me a bit. Personally, I think that Lean On (included in the Deluxe Edition) should have been swapped out for one of those two, but I guess they didn't want to give Mitch more than the one solo song. I love both Kirstin's Water and Avi's Light in the Hallway! Of course, I'm a big fan of Avi solo songs, so that one was a gimme for me. The rest of the album is quite impressive. Lots of finger-snapping and claps for the rhythms.

 

ToxicUnicorn, I love Ref too!! That was the one that they were debating back and forth about whether to include an actual whistle or to perform the sound (they decided on the actual whistle, which is the only "instrument" on the album).

 

I am looking forward to the video for Sing, which they were filming a few weeks ago, including fans singing along.

Edited by Sharpie66
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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel already has a brief review of the album:

 

Pentatonix
RCA Records

 

Can an a cappella group that became one of YouTube's most popular acts for its engaging vocal covers of modern pop hits transition to their own original music? That's the question posed by Pentatonix's new self-titled disc.

 

There's no doubt that this quintet has a masterful control over their wide-ranging vocal histrionics — those lush inflections bounce in a funky stomp on "Sing," slide in a syncopated R&B groove on "Ref" and build to a layered longing crescendo in "Water."

 

But in this collection, the members of Pentatonix also prove themselves to be competent pop songwriters. It is not a stretch to think that the likes of Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez or Jason Derulo (who guests here on the sultry "If I Fall in Love") could make their own hits out of many of these tracks. We'll just have to turn on the radio to see if Pentatonix can join those pop stars' ranks on its own.

Edited by Sharpie66
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Finally got it to download! Thank goodness for digital download because there are no music stores within reachable distance at the moment. Just had the first go round.

1- no bad tunes as far as I know. And I agree with the above review from Sharpie. Any of the current pop singers can easily sing it and take it to a top 10. Lets see how PTX does

2- does it sound vastly different than PTX vol 1,2,3? (I understand that in one interview, the crew alludes to learning how pop music (proper ones) are produced. the hundred layerings etc. Does it make them sound overproduced?

3- which leads to no. 3; the proof is in the Live Performance Pudding. they managed to replicate Can't Sleep Love, and Daft Punk sounds amazing live... but this is a new trajectory for them. Can't wait to hear the rest, and see whether they hold up on live settings.

4- So. Many. Claps. And. Stomps.

Favorite song: Water, Ref, Misbehavin'.

I hope that they'd release a music video for To the River soon because there's no way I can source the Target exclusive cover without breaking the bank and do some intercontinental mafialery.

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"FIRST THINGS FIRST: CAN'T SLEEP LOVE because I need some WATER--and a REF. All this MISBEHAVIN' has got me CRACKED! NA NA NA, my ROSE GOLD iPhone still works...but I may not be able to SING on NEW YEAR'S DAY. TAKE ME HOME, TO THE RIVER, where my house is. I'll turn on a LIGHT IN THE HALLWAY for you." -- Me (courtesy of the Target Deluxe Edition)

 

In other words, my personal rankings as of a few minutes ago are First Things First and Can't Sleep Love, followed closely by Water and Ref. Kirstie's lead on Water is so damned good! Rose Gold is growing on me and reminds of Imogen Heap and Florence + The Machine songs.  ToxicUnicorn, I think that is Scott doing the spoken-word bits on First Things First.

 

Although I'd like to hear Scott's take on Light In The Hallway, I agree with his call to have Avi on lead.

 

By the way, the liner notes in the CD show that:

  • Avi and Kevin are 2 of 3 co-writers for Na Na Na
  • Can't Sleep Love has 9 co-writers (incl. all five PTX members)
  • Mitch, Scott and Kevin are 3 of 5 co-writers for Sing
  • Mitch and Scott are 2 of 4 co-writers for Misbehavin'
  • Scott and Kevin are 2 of 3 co-writers for Ref
  • Scott and Kevin are 2 of 3 co-writers for First Things First
  • Scott and Avi are 2 of 4 co-writers for Rose Gold
  • Scott and Avi are 2 of 4 co-writers for Cracked
  • Kirstie and Kevin are 2 of 3 co-writers for Water
  • Kirstie and Kevin are 2 of 3 co-writers for Take Me Home
  • Mitch, Scott and Kevin are 2 of 5 co-writers for New Year's Day
  • Mitch and Scott are 2 of 3 co-writers for Light In The Hallway
  • Scott and Kevin are 2 of 3 co-writers for To The River

 

Ben Bram and PTX arranged all the songs except Na Na Na and First Things First--these two were arranged by PTX themselves.

 

ETA 1: LOL, their Tonight Show stint felt like an infomercial for PTX and Pentatonix. Seriously, that was more screen time than I ever thought they would get. Don't forget that they'll be all over the Oct. 20 Today show broadcast, too.

 

ETA 2: I haven't watched the Sing video yet but how many non-PTX notable persons did you all spot?

 

ETA 3: Yes, I also ordered a Fanjoy box and just placed a pre-order for the 5 new tracks from TCTM Deluxe Edition. [is my fandom showing?]

Edited by SrPab
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Thanks for the video for Sing!  I saw Maisie from Game of Thrones, Tyler Oakley, and was the Asian guy at around 2:37 the lead guy from the Backbeats? It looked like him!

 

ETA: I liked the fact that they opened on the individual shots of the group and then put in the black-backgrounded "PENTONIX" and then "SING". At the end with all the members' names was a nice touch.

 

ETA2: I swear that the long-haired red-headed woman at 2:51 is Felicia Day!

Edited by Sharpie66
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Sing video...besides the ones mentioned by Sharpie66, I noticed YTers Grace Helbig [1:47] and Todrick Hall [2:04], as well as Hoda Kotb [1:36] from the Today show, someone who looks like either Nick (or Drew) Lachey [1:35], and Jesse Tyler Ferguson [2:01] (from tv show Modern Family, and other credits).

 

The liner notes for Sing say "Additional gang vocals: Martin Johnson, Sam Hollander, Brandon Paddock". It seems they only used lip-synched fan submissions or otherwise stripped out the audio from fan submissions--as I thought they would.

Edited by SrPab
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Also, I wish that they would put the liner notes for all of the albums on their website. I downloaded the cast recording for Hamilton and was able to get all of the notes/lyrics on the studio webpage for the album.

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Na Na Na, Ref, Cracked, New Year's Day, and To The River all have additional vocals from the 2015 edition of A Cappella Academy.

 

I'm so glad I bought the Target Deluxe Edition--just because I wanted To The River. I looove the song! It's in a 5-way tie for my favorite track.

Edited by SrPab
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Curiously The Tonight Show's YouTube Channel is STILL missing their performance of Can't Sleep Love, so you'll still have to watch it on NBC.com.

 

That said, they added this today:

 


That didn't air of course--its an online only bit.


Someone could take this down, but here's someone who clearly did a vid-capture of Can't Sleep Love though--if you hate navigating NBC.com for it.

 

https://youtu.be/qkOKF2qfU18

 

The one other bit out there might be the bit of "Cheerleader" they did at one point, when they were behind the announcer podium.

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I will say this.. Sing is about twice the song Can't Sleep Love is, in my opinion (enough so that I personally think anything like the commercials they have for the album should be changed to use it instead of CSL). The video is good too, although IMO Hoda Kotb (even a second of her) takes about 50 "cool" points off anything she shows up in. Maisie Williams gets a few of those points back (although since she's become friends with Scott and Mitch it's not like it's surprising she's in this--or that Grace Helbig and Todrick Hall are).

 

BTW: Sharpie66 that's definitely NOT Felicia Day at 2:51-2:52.  The face, the hair (other than the color) are all wrong (Day hasn't worn her hair that long in years, I think, or center-parted it, and the mouth, nose and eyebrows are totally wrong).

 

ZJJODR0.jpg

Edited by Kromm
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Curiously The Tonight Show's YouTube Channel is STILL missing their performance of Can't Sleep Love, so you'll still have to watch it on NBC.com.

Explained on Twitter that PTX might actually upload it onto their VEVO channel. Just have to wait and see. Didn't want to risk it by posting on our channel. 

Crazy day! Lots of promo and currently #2 on iTunes. Their competition is Demi (#4), tight race. 

 

Oh and a new video on the 19th.

Playlist for their media appearances - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTRxhv5hwmixA61Hk41fDjK2CGqEhQLey

 

15 second TV spot

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You are absolutely right, Kromm! I only know her from Dr. Horrible, so it has been a long time since I've seen her.

The video's description box lists all the celebs. In addition to the ones we have above, there is Tori Kelly, Max Schneider (?), Victoria Justice (?), Ally Brooke (?), Christina Perri, and that is Nick Lachey.

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I'm wondering if Game of Thrones conspiracy theorists will make something of Arya Stark wearing a crown in the video (yes, I'm joking--she's not the only person in the video to do so anyway).

 

R7569JO.jpg


The video's description box lists all the celebs. In addition to the ones we have above, there is Tori Kelly, Max Schneider (?), Victoria Justice (?), Ally Brooke (?), Christina Perri, and that is Nick Lachey.

Anna Kendrick seems to be the big one left out of people's posts so far (arguably an even bigger star than Maise Williams).

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Explained on Twitter that PTX might actually upload it onto their VEVO channel. Just have to wait and see.

I hope not. VEVO channels are evil (they totally mess up the metrics of computing how many hits/subscribers someone has and give relatively few benefits back in return).
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Just happened to take a quick glance at Yahoo's home page and spied this in the scrolling news bar: Pentatonix's next target. The promo game, between last night and today, is strong with this one.

 

About an hour ago, Scott tweeted that the album hit #1 on Apple Music (edging out Deluxe albums from Bieber, 1D, and Demi Lovato)--I think he's talking about the main U.S. chart. Someone else replied that it also hit #1 on Amazon.com.

Edited by SrPab
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I've listened to the album pretty much non-stop since I woke up on the couch in the middle of the night

 

This made me laugh, Sharpie66, because when I saw your middle of the night post, my first thought was that you were up all night because you were waiting for the album to be released. 

 

Off to listen again.  (I think I liked Rose Gold better than the rest of y'all this morning ... we'll see if it holds up.)

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Just happened to take a quick glance at Yahoo's home page and spied this in the scrolling news bar: Pentatonix's next target. The promo game, between last night and today, is strong with this one.

 

About an hour ago, Scott tweeted that the album hit #1 on Apple Music (edging out Deluxe albums from Bieber, 1D, and Demi Lovato)--I think he's talking about the main U.S. chart. Someone else replied that it also hit #1 on Amazon.com.

Amazon says #4 right now (at least on their default Best Sellers in CDs & Vinyl chart...)

AeKpCmh.jpg

And it's Number #3 on the Amazon Pop Chart (I won't bother with another screen cap).  

 

It IS #1 on the "Vocal Pop" sub-chart, but that's kind of a second version of the "oldies" chart, but with people like Josh Groban and Harry Conick Jr. added in (so it's not that impressive a chart to lead, if we're being honest).

 

Coincidentally (to it being #4 on the overall Amazon CD chart) it's also #4 right now on the main iTunes Album chart (which I believe is different from the Apple Music chart, so make of that what you will).  Can't Sleep Love as a single is #46 on iTunes (so not really much of a factor).

 

Billboard probably hasn't recalculated it's charts yet, so no idea where it's placing on the Hot 200 (their album chart) there--although I don't think Can't Sleep Love as a single has been anywhere yet on their Top 100 Songs chart.

Edited by Kromm
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Anna Kendrick seems to be the big one left out of people's posts so far (arguably an even bigger star than Maise Williams).

Hard to spot her in that panda gear.

 

Haha Vevo. Their numbers mean nothing. People make such a big deal about it, "OMG you have a Vevo, you made it!" "Let's break records!!!" $$$

PTX can chuck all those television performances on that channel. As long as there is a place for Pentaholics to watch it without any restrictions and keep their main channel in tact.

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Ok, Ref is still my favorite.  Misbehavin' and Can't Sleep Love round out my top 3.

 

New Year's Day is my least favorite right now, and I'm not sure what to make of Light in the Hallway. 

 

Corrected to: I really love Take Me Home, and I think I would love Cracked if it had been worked on just a tad longer.  I'll bet it would be great live.  I think the album is extremely strong tracks 1-11 (in other words, I think Take Me Home would have made the perfect ending).  However, more PTX is good PTX!

 

I do like Rose Gold, a lot because I think it's executed really well.  I think of Bieber every time I hear it, though.

 

I still adore Where Are U Now.

Edited by ToxicUnicorn
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PTX has been all over Billboard for years, but they're not in Rolling Stone the same way.

 

Unfortunately the review isn't a great one. Not a total pan, but 2 1/2 stars of 5 is pretty middle of the road as a rating.

 

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/pentatonix-pentatonix-20151016

 


Also, someone better versed in the business side of the current music biz should explain perhaps the difference between the deal they already had with RCA (a Sony label) to release Albums and the new global publishing deal they seemingly just got with Sony. I SORT of get it (the publishing is different from the actual music), but I know there's more to it.

 

Sony/ATV Signs PENTATONIX to Worldwide Publishing Deal

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Oh and they included promo "buy album here here and here" links on the CSL Fallon video youtube site too! (no album promo links in the other two PTX videos on Fallon; the behind the scene talk and the opener video).

So now PTX has THREE videos up on Fallon (even Sienna Miller only has 2; although The Beibs has 4) with the last one promoing them in the description box. Well done PTX marketing team you did it again. (when even Sesame St. and Disney were "powerless" against PTX marketing team's charms, Fallon has no hope basically).

Edited by debbydeb
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My question regarding the Rolling Stone review is how relevant is Rolling Stone any more in an age where people have multiple music consumption options and rely more on what they like rather than what the music press tells them they should like.

 

I could feel my Pentaholic hackles rising upon reading that tripe and paraphrasing my inner Ripley, "GET away from them, YOU B****!"

 

Further, I agree with one obviously Pentaholic commenter who suggested that perhaps RS was underwhelmed because of hearing damage from years of listening to "overly loud guitars and screeching audio enhancements."  I like that girl.

 

I also understand that they need to market this puppy for maximum effect but I remain staunchly Cracked-addicted.  And actually the first time I enjoyed CSL was the Tonight Show performance,

 

(mumbles sulkily) LoveAgain, BadddestGirl, I lovded those.

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(mumbles sulkily) LoveAgain, BadddestGirl, I lovded those.

Oh, Geeze, me too.  I so lovde Baddest Girl.n  :))))

 

I think that is Scott doing the spoken-word bits on First Things First.

 

Thanks for the reply, SrPab.  Now that I've watched the Sing video (which, every time, makes me compare it to Jump and Rock Lobster of my youth - it has the same undeniable appeal), I wonder if the "First Things First" bit is Kevin.  He does a great job in Sing.

 

It's the weekend!  Time to wear out the headphones!

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The first song (other than CSL) that I am singing along with completely is Misbehavin'. I love its mellow doo-wopness, and the chorus is really fun to sing along with. I also love the progression of "one too many," "two too many," "way too many."

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Giving shout-outs to The Baddest Girl, Show You How To Love, Love Again, Hey Momma, and See Through--particularly See Through.

 

Current crop...I've already mentioned above, but To The River is my hourly obsession.

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And actually the first time I enjoyed CSL was the Tonight Show performance,

Agreed.  We seem to be in the minority, but again I think Sing is a much better song. But also the Tonight Show version had some tweaks to the arrangement that helped the song.

Oh and they included promo "buy album here here and here" links on the CSL Fallon video youtube site too! (no album promo links in the other two PTX videos on Fallon; the behind the scene talk and the opener video).

So now PTX has THREE videos up on Fallon (even Sienna Miller only has 2; although The Beibs has 4) with the last one promoing them in the description box. Well done PTX marketing team you did it again. (when even Sesame St. and Disney were "powerless" against PTX marketing team's charms, Fallon has no hope basically).

I hate that the annoying Jimmy Fallon is some kind of barometer of public taste/acceptance, but sadly his ratings back that up.

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