Thursday 28 April 2016

Take a Chance and Try Everything For Success

I while back I told you about Home Free's founder and baritone Chris Rupp's decision to leave Home Free to pursue his solo career. His last days with the band he has so successfully lead through good times to great times are getting closer and in a couple of weeks he has done his last performance with them as part of the band. As I also mentioned at that time Home Free took on Adam Chance, former bass singer of Street Corner Symphony, as Chris' "replacement". I use the word replacement lightly because nobody can truly replace Chris and his voice nor should anybody try to, and Chance has said that he's there to bring his own thing to the table.

Unlike a lot of the other Home Fries I was never worried what it would sound like without Chris and with Chance, I was merely eager and excited to hear what the new sound would be like, but there was never a doubt in my mind that I would like it or that it wouldn't be great. I have complete faith in all of the Guys of Home Free, their dedication and love for what they do, and for Chris not leaving until they had found the right person to add to the mix. From the moment I first heard Chance sing, SoS songs, I loved the warmth and fullness of his voice. The first song could not come fast enough for me. As sad as a part of me is that Chris is leaving, as happy and excited am I for his new adventures and I will be following him closely, and I'm also excited to see what the future holds for Home Free.

I haven't seen the film Zootopia yet, Zootroplis in some countries, but I have heard the song "Try Everything" with Shakira from it. I have a love for Shakira and her voice and she is one of few artists I enjoy listening to over and over again, even though I don't follow her and haven't heard or know all of her songs. Also, the song in itself is good and I love the lyrics and it's got a catchy melody to it, I have liked hearing it when it's come on even though I have not gone hunting for it anywhere.

Now, mix all these things together, Home Free, Adam Chance and Try Everything, and what do we get?

We get success!

Yes, we finally got to hear how Home Free sounds with Chance mixed in, and let me tell you, it is perfection! I knew it would be great but this is far and beyond great, in my opinion. Chance brings an edge to the sound that I think I have been missing without really knowing it. I love his deep, full and a bit rough voice, that is still mellow and full of emotions. It has character. And I love that in a voice. Always have and always will. I think this is a great next step for Home Free. Since Chris had to do his own thing for happiness sake I'm glad they took a Chance (yeah, yeah, incredibly lame, but still funny, right?).

The song is, obviously, Try Everything and as per usual they shoot it through the roof like a rocket that has no intention of ever coming back to earth ever again. Yes, that's how fantastic it is. And, we not only get to hear Chance mix with the other Guys, we get to hear him sing solo. And I frekkin' love it!!

Now, this rendition is so much more than just Chance and a great song, though. It has a fantastic beat by Adam Rupp, a beat that makes me want to move my butt every time I hear it. And it has actually taken me jogging twice in last week. It's a heavier beat than we are used to hear, but I like it! Thanks, Adam. Like, really, me jogging. Weird. We also have Tim's bass line that catches my ear every time I hear the song, especially in the second half of the song. I love it! It's groovy! And the way his and Chance's voices blend is smooth and makes me want more of it, like right now! Of course we have more leads and harmonies by both Rob Lundquist and Austin Brown. Both, in my humble opinion, singing their hearts out in the most perfect ways. There's a fullness to both of their voices in this song that I really love and the way Chance's deep and lower baritone voice lifts Austin's and Rob's voices is simply gorgeous. And without loosing any of the harmonies we are so used to hearing.

I first heard this song last Wednesday when it was released to Home Free's Patrons, on Patreon, and I've had it on repeat ever since and I am still not even close to being tired of it. To me it is the sound track to my life right now as I have some really big changes going on and coming on in several different areas of my life. I'll Try Everything. Almost.

If you haven't checked it out yet you really need to do so RIGHT NOW!!! Just GO! I'll be here waiting to hear your opinion of our new baritone-bass Guy!

All that is left to say today is a big, fat, huge and very excited, WELCOME to Adam Chance!

Great debut, Chance! You will do!

Love//
Carina


Monday 25 April 2016

5 + 5 Reasons to Watch

I was going to do this video as part of my 5 Reasons to Watch series, but I honestly have a problem picking only 5 reasons whenever it comes to these Guys. That would be 5 reasons that are not the 5 Guys, because that is what I want to do. Just list them one after the other. They all bring so much to the table that it seem unfair to only pick one or two of them. And, sure, I could do that, but then I wouldn't be able to list anything else and there are so many other things I want to list about this video.
So, I am just going to start listing and see where I end up. This can be fun!

Here we go!!

??? Reasons to Watch Home Free's cover of Garth Brooks Friends In Low Places:


1. The song - I love it!! I have heard it before, even though I don't think it was ever a very big hit in Sweden. I'm not really sure what it is about it that I love, I just do. Sometimes it is hard to put your finger on it and this is one of those times. Let me know why you love it, if you do!
2. Tim Foust - that voice! Oh man, that voice! This song showcases it better than any other song I have heard him sing. Just listen to how easily he goes from those low notes to those high notes and down to low notes again. Brava, Tim! Brava! I can't get enough of him singing this song.
3. Austin Brown - I am a big fan of Austin, and I have been from the first note I ever heard him sing (Ring of Fire feat Avi Kaplan). And as much as I love hearing him sing solos, I utterly adore hearing him do the type of harmony and high notes he does in this song. It lifts the song, it lifts Tim's voice and it lifts me. The fullness in Austin's voice is at it's best here, in my opinion. I love Tim in this song, but I think I love Austin just as much.
4. Adam Rupp - Great "drumming", Adam, as always! But also, great harmonizing! I am still waiting for the day we get to hear Adam sing a line on his own. Those doo-woops are awesome, but we need more, k!
5. Rob Lundquist - Come on! That whistling! We know he his an absolutely amazing whistler and he proves it yet again in ths song. I don't think I have heard anybody that can whistle that well ever before in my life.
6. Chris Rupp - yet again Chris' flawless harmonies acts like the glue between the rest of the guys, it fills the song out preventing it from sounding empty which is so important to the Home Free sound. That is something they do better than any other a cappella group I have ever heard. It might not be easy to pick up Chris specifically all the time, but he's there - lifting everything and everyone to higher grounds.
7. The scenery - what is not to like about the ocean, the colours, the wild life, the beach. I feel right at home with them there on the beach. I was just down at the beach today, different sea, different beach, but under the same sky.
8. The ice cold water over Tim's head - how much fun is that! I still laugh at his facial expression every time I watch this video. It's priceless.
9. The fun - As always these guys know how to have fun. And it shows in this video as well. This is one of the many reason's why I love them so much. They have so much fun, and they share it and show it. It's contagious. It makes me smile and laugh and feel like I'm there with them.
10. The chicken - if you are a Home Fry you know all about the chicken, and I know I have promised the rest of you the story about the stealth chicken, A question to the non-Fries in here; have you ever seen a chicken of any sort in any other Home Free videos? I'm sure you have because there is at least one in almost all of their videos starting with "All About That Bass". Sometimes it's hidden in plain sight and sometimes it's harder to find. I always have trouble finding it because I get so distracted by watching the Guys.

I think that's it for now. This post grew from 5 to 10 reasons to watch this video. I'm sure I could list more, but I'll save it for another time.

I hope you enjoy the video and the song as much as I do!

Love//
Carina



Friday 1 April 2016

5 Reasons to Watch, 3

I feel like there is a lot of Peter Hollens going on in my life right now. That's not a bad thing. Far from it. I have been spending many hours this week listening to his songs. I've been a bit under the weather and his music has helped me find inspiration again. Not only is Peter Hollens a fantastic musician, he also seems to be a very nice and humble guy. And not only that, he actually "told" me that he loved the post I did on Misty Mountains featuring Tim Foust a couple of days ago. I mentioned to him, in a message on Patreon yesterday, that he had liked the tweet with the link to it and he replied back on that message that he loved. In capital letters and several exclamation marks. How cool is that?! Thanks, Peter!

Anyway, I've been thinking about writing about his version of this song because it is one of my favourites, and today he released a new version of it. Great timing there!

Today's video choice is;

I See Fire - Peter Hollens featuring Taylor Davis

(Taylor Davis is an amazing violinist and she's been in a couple of Home Free's songs as well.)

Here's the list;

  1. The arrangement - I love the build up in this song. It goes from soft to energetic to power in an absolutely perfect balance. That's how you do it! Again, Tom Anderson did a great job with it and Peter and Taylor perfects it! The way the violin blends in and at the same time stands out is brilliant. That's not an easy thing to do!
  2. Taylor Davis - I've already mentioned that she is amazing at playing that violin. She's feeling it, she's not just playing it. Violin can be terrible if played without feelings, but I've never heard anything by Taylor Davis that's been without soul. Just click her name above this list and listen to more of her stuff, she loves film and video game scores. Cool stuff!
  3. The scenery - The contrast between the cold, windy and snowy mountain where Peter is and the still and green forest where Taylor is gives the song a feeling of hope. I'm being thrown back and forth between the worst of winters and the best of summers back in Sweden. It's beautiful. Gorgeous. Even this video is the work of the amazing people at FifGen Films. What can I say? Awesome job! Simple, but stunning and effective.
  4. The song - I haven't seen the Hobbit yet. I know - shame on me, but who has the time when there are so many great music videos to watch and re-watch? Anyway, I love this song. It's beautiful and powerful. Not just the arrangement, but the melody and the lyrics too. It's emotional and strong. Ed Sheeran sure wrote an amazing song and you can read the story about it here. It's quite cool.
  5. Peter Hollens- I can't really leave him out, can I? Not that I would want to. Peter has this amazing ability to transform his voice into what seems like almost anything song wise. Soft, emotional, powerful - he does it all. And he does it all in this song. And he can sing, like really good. That's a great thing for a singer, not all of them can. The way he layers the songs with himself and his own voice, but still manages to make it sound like there is a whole bunch of different people, is really cool, and he does it oh so well. Great job, as always, Peter!
Please, when you have listened to the song and watched the video, at least a few times, check the information underneath it and follow the links and hit like, subscribe or whatever is required on all of Peter's and Taylor's different social media pages. And FifGen's too.

As always, please, let me know what you think of this list. Do you agree or do you disagree with anything?

The next video in this series will be the new Home Free video. It hasn't been released to the public yet, but you can expect it within the next couple of days, or you can go sign up on Patreon and watch it right now. This video is so much fun and it is one of my favourite songs they do. Keep an out for it, and for my 5 Reasons to Watch it.

If you want to hear this song with Peter Hollens, but fully a cappella you can find it here. You can find Ed Sheerans original here. As much as I love Ed's version, I must say I prefer both of Peter's versions, but since I love the violin my favourite is this video. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and let me know which one is your favourite.

Have a great weekend!

Love//
Carina