Welcome to the first episode of The Sing-Off Season 2. Last week, I introduced you to the 10 a cappella groups that would grace the stage this year and tonight, we get to hear them perform for the first time. This year, the show is bringing it to the next level with new challenges and more groups than ever before. The vocal battle is on and tonight, two groups will fall.

We begin the show with an amazing a cappella rendition of Music In Me with all 10 teams singing together. The harmonies and individual sections really bring out the best in each teams musicality and style. It really sets up the evening well to show you what we can look forward to tonight. There are some wailers this year and some great looking guys too. So lets see who has what it takes to stay and not be one of the two teams to be eliminated tonight.

Host Nick Lachey welcomes everyone to the show and introduces us to the judges that will be critiquing the 10 teams. Ben Folds, Nicole Scherzinger, and Shawn Stockman. Tonight, the teams will be singing their signature song to show off their strongest skills but the judges will only save 8 out of the 10 teams.

ELEVENTH HOUR

Song: Baby by: Justin Bieber
They are the youngest group in the competition which explains their Justin Bieber song choice. Their performance skills are good and the story they tell throughout the performance is quite impressive for the age and skill. Their drum kid is amazing and their bass was really strong. I thought some of their harmonies could have been a little tighter but overall, a fairly good performance.
Ben was impressed by their focus and range of voice. Ben also complimented the bass and the drums thinking they were spot on. Nicole calls them the real life Glee. She thinks Kendall is star and felt the group. Shawn loves that they bring a fresh look to a cappella music and is also impressed with their focus.

ON THE ROCKS

Song: Bad Romance by: Lady Gaga
From YouTube to the stage, On The Rocks performs their viral video smash hit. Their opening harmonies are so strong its unbelievable. Their quirky choreography is also so fun to watch. Their performance is no question at the highest of calibers and the fact that they can sing and pull off such a tight sound with so many vocalists is really impressive. Shawn wasn’t sure of the song selection at first but thought they pulled it off nicely. Ben thought it was so entertaining which deferred the pitch problems that he thought they had during the performance. Nicole thought Gaga would be pleased to see that she’s inspired these guys to sing her music. Nicole also said that whatever they’re having, she’ll have “on the rocks”. Oh god, Patrick. Are you writing her lines for her?

GROOVE FOR THOUGHT

Song: I Wish by: Stevie Wonder
This group from Seattle has a blues and jazz fused style and they definitely bring that to the floor with their spin on this Stevie Wonder classic. You can tell that this group has some maturity in them because their sound is super solid and their harmonies aren’t pitchy or shaky. The guy singing the lead is also nailing it. I thought the bass singer was really strong too especially at keeping the pitch together. By far my favorite performance so far. Ben thought the performance grooved really nicely and that Peter did well. He was also impressed with the bass singer but wanted some more edge. Nicole really loved their jazzy style and thought it was clean, sweet and warm. Shawn thought for their first performance that it was so solid and compared them to legendary group Take 6.

PITCH SLAPPED

Song: Good Girls Go Bad by: Cobra Starship
The group starts off strong with their story and performance. I like their take on the guitar and synthesizer sounds but unfortunately, they’re solo vocalists are the strongest compared to some of the team. I like the ideas of the harmonies but I don’t think they quite hit the mark. I just loved the overall concept and think that I could actually see myself buying their CD and seeing them live if they were to win. Nicole thought that this team would inspire some new a cappella groups to form. She wanted to hear more of the accompaniment to back the lead vocals. Shawn was impressed with their performance but thought there was a top and a bottom but nothing in the middle. Ben thought their high dynamic wasn’t their strongest but loved their ensemble work.

JERRY LAWSON & TALK OF THE TOWN

Song:Save The Last Dance For Me by: The Drifters
I love love love this group. Their classic a cappella sound gives all the groups something to learn. Simple harmonies, bass lines and attention to the pure vocals will make you sound as pure and great as this group. Their performance isn’t as much of a spectacle as some of the younger groups of course but because their vocals are so strong, you can’t help but enjoy the entirety of it. I will say that Jerry singing the lead was extraordinary. You can tell the audience and the judges loved it right off the bat. Shawn starts off by saying that Jerry is such an inspiration. Ben says that he had chills after this performance and says that they own their genre so much. Nicole says you can’t touch the real thing and you can’t buy class like this group just presented calling them the godfathers of a cappella music.

The first five groups have sang their hearts out. The judges results will save four of the groups and the other will be sent home. The first group safe is Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town. Eleventh Hour will also return next week. The next group chosen to advance is On The Rocks. Its down to Groove for Thought and Pitch Slapped. The judges save Groove for Thought and Pitch Slapped is sent home. As their swan song, the group leaves the show singing Na Na, Hey Hey, Kiss ‘Em Goodbye by Steam.

THE WHIFFENPOOFS OF YALE

Song: Grace Kelly by: Mika
These boys join the ranks of the some of the originators of a cappella music. Blending their golden oldies style with their take on popular music, these boys certainly don’t disappoint. Their vocals and harmonies are so tight and well blended. Their lead singer also blows the door off the place with his falsetto. Their vocal arrangements are incredible and I can’t believe how clean their voices are with the amount of men on stage. Ben thought Brendan was sassy and liked that they didn’t use a beatbox to keep the song alive. Nicole says she’s not sure what just happened but thought it worked and it was brilliant. Shawn was impressed with the groups ensemble dynamics and thinks they are off the hook. I thought their vocal arrangements were the most impressive of the night.

MEN OF NOTE

Song: For The Longest Time by: Billy Joel
Right off the top, I like this groups old school approach to a cappella singing. Taking a page out of Jerry Lawson’s book, these group of guys have simple harmonies and great lead vocals down to a science with much help from their mentor and former choral director I’m sure. I think that the ensemble singers compliment the lead vocals well and don’t drown him out. Their final touch on the piece makes them original and stand out from other all male groups. Nicole thought Richard did a good job on the vocals but thought they could have been tighter and there could have been more bottom with a richer sound. Shawn thought the performance felt a little stiff in the beginning but in the end, they warmed up and got it going. Ben thinks they all have beautiful voices but notices that the tenors may drown out the bass line. He also thought it was a little rushed but overall thought it was a great job on their part.

STREET CORNER SYMPHONY

Song: Everybody (Wants To Rule The World) by: Tears for Fears
This groups combines RnB, soul, bluegrass and gospel sounds to create their own unique style. What I liked about this group is that they got their song started off right out of the gate. I think the lead singer is really strong but I think the ensemble behind him is a little pitchy and not as gelled as some of the other groups have been. To be a little bias, I do love this song a bunch so I thought it was good because they picked one of my favorite 80′s tunes. Brian even has this as his ringtone. Ben thought it was really good and that the dynamics and groove were outstanding. Shawn loved their honesty and their down home southern harmony and feel. Nicole thought their sound was so big for the small amount of people they had on stage. She also loved Jeremy’s lead vocals.

THE BACKBEATS

Song: If I Were A Boy by: Beyoncé Knowles
This group made up of singers from other groups that used to be rivals have joined forces to become a supergroup of talent. The opening is really effective with their staging and minimal movement. The first few bars are shaky for me but as the song kicks into the chorus, you can really see this groups talent shine through. The lead vocals are so strong and their harmonies and arrangements for this song are brilliant. They give it a really fresh spin and you can tell the audience loved every minute of it. I really enjoyed it and again could see myself buying this CD and going to one of their live shows. Nicole thought that this group raised the bar for the competition and the lead vocals shut it down. Ben thought it was moving and the song selection was perfect. Shawn had chills with the drama and thought the entire group was off the chain.

COMMITTED

Song: This Love by: Maroon 5
Stepping completely out of their comfort zone, gospel singers Committed hit the stage and completely captivate everyone with their amazing harmonious beginning to This Love. Their bass is so strong and really holds down the sound of the entire group and the lead vocals. Their background in gospel music has really shaped their harmonies and runs and they are solid. There are no pitch problems to be heard and they sound so together and tight. I think Shawn is gonna really love this group because they have a little of those Boyz II Men kind of sounds in there. The audience absolutely loved it. Shawn is speechless. He loved their raw talent and thought the lead singer’s voice was just butter. Nicole loves what these boys stand for and thinks that God’s love shines through their voices. Ben says that this is what he’s been waiting for on this show and that they have unlocked music that has never been heard like this before.

Five more groups have song for their lives but the judges will only save four of them and one will be sent home. The first two groups to lock down their spot on the next show are Committed and The Backbeats. The next team saved by the judges is The Whiffenpoofs. Its down to Men of Note and Street Corner Symphony. The group staying is Street Corner Symphony. Men of Note are sent home and hit the stage to sing their final swan song, Take A Bow by Rihanna.

The judges have spoken. 10 groups have become 8. On Wednesday, the 8 groups will sing songs that have topped the charts. With each preview the group gives, the more and more excited I get. Check for that recap on the site Thursday. What was your favorite performance tonight?

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Thanks for reading.
Follow Tyrell on Twitter: @tlwither

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