Philharmonics album impresses [A]

By Chloe Tula     11/5/13 6:00pm

The Rice Philharmonics' latest album, (Phil)osophy, was released last week in both CD and iTunes formats. This is the newest of the group's numerous professionally recorded albums, following Epoch (2011), and it consists of eight covers of popular songs. 

The Phils maintain the balance of doing justice to the original songs while adding new twists to the melodies showcased in each track. Although some of the tracks, such as "Lights" by Ellie Goulding and "Good Life" by OneRepublic, are well-known, the Phils' tasteful use of counter-rhythm adds yet another dimension of creativity. I found new harmonies and appreciated the original songs more as I listened to this cover album; at first, I feared hearing pieces that would echo YouTube covers, but (Phil)osophy packs a pleasant surprise. The Phils masterfully overcome the challenge of sounding too much like the original, yet never stray far from each song's vibe.

The first track is a terrific cover of "The Cave" by Mumford and Sons; the tune is fresh, with supporting vocals that expose the group's supreme ensemble abilities and diction. The leading vocals are reminiscent of Mumford and Sons lead singer Marcus Mumford, but an original, textured voice takes the melody to a different level.

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The selection of songs is a blend of bright and mellow, almost completely comprised of hits made famous in recent years. A contagious sense of cheerfulness exudes from tracks like "Good Life" by OneRepublic. When an original like this can feel timeworn and cheesy, the dynamic array of colors from the group's blended voices adds new meaning to old lyrics.

The soulful lines of "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt share the sense of warmth that the Phils convey so well, and the cover even eclipses the original in emotional depth and range. 

At certain points, the covers feel a little more upbeat than the originals, such as the bluesy experience of "Die Alone" by Ingrid Michaelson, which goes up in pitch from the original key; this conveys a sense of merriment that contrasts with the song's bittersweet theme of finding love before death. 

The Phils close the album with a cover of the Beatles' "A Little Help From My Friends," which incorporates a very soulful introduction with a creative take on the timeless classic. After a gentle transition from dramatic to exuberant, tight vocal percussion keeps the pulse going against smooth, new soprano harmonies. It is an excellent conclusion to this well-rounded album.

With its uplifting, optimistic tracks, the Phils' terrific and talent-packed album is definitely worth listening to.

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