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harry · Joined: 14 Dec 2002 Posts: 65

since the BOCA deadline is soon, any thoughts on tracks you think will/should make it?

Such87 · Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 83

I'll put my bets on there being a track from otb's Float (maybe "passive", "bedshaped", "let go", or "forgiven" if they're in a back-to-the-classics sound) and the mates' Shedding (maybe "lets get it started" for a 'hey ya'-type final track, or "paranoid android", or "boulevard of broken dreams"- for a 'the kids aren't alright'-type feel ).

[edit 'mates' to 'bubs'. Don't know how that one slipped by, thanks tat]
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tat-tong · Joined: 15 Dec 2003 Posts: 335 Location: Singapore

gmonaie · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Posts: 28 Location: New York, NY

I'd have to echo the sentiment that OTR's Kyrie should be high on the list for BOCA 2006. I've also never heard a college acappella group rap more credibly than the UNC Clefhangers.

BOCA 2006...damn I'm old. Can I retire yet?
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carlyonders · Joined: 13 Aug 2004 Posts: 253

Well since I got like 12 of the tracks from last year's BOCA, maybe I'll give this one a shot :)

Bubs - could pick 4-6 songs from 'Shedding' "Paranoid Android" is already on 'Sing 2', so I doubt it'll be that. I'd say "Epiphany", "Everybody", or hell any of the rest of the songs on the CD, depending on D&D's mood :)

OTR - "Kyrie" as a song was already on a BOCA CD (BOCA 2), plus again this one's already on 'Sing 2'. I do think they'll get on, though. Either one of their originals or "Cry Me a River" would maybe be a good choice.

Divisi - "Queen of the Night" is a shoo-in I think.

Harmonics - not sure of the track..maybe the 1st one

Clefs - "Crazy Train" - no question. Best rap I've heard, and plus it's got Anoop (though he's ever better featured on their 'Sing 2' track I think)

Pitchforks - They have a song I can't remember the name of...but it's really upbeat, fun, etc., and sonically really good.

OTB - haven't heard their CD and don't really listen to them anymore, but hey, it's OTB.

These are the easy ones that come to mind off the top of my head and probably stand a pretty good shot. Some others who have good stuff I have heard or heard of, and might get on depending on what's needed to best fill out the disc:

Last Call
Aires
Loreleis
Hullabahoos
Take Note
Tigeroar
Dicks & Janes
Octaves
and other California groups I haven't gotten to hear yet but should be mentioning I bet :)

I know there are a TON of groups scrambling even now to get stuff finished tho, so I wouldn't be surprised if we get some fun new surprises :)
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GenesisPhreak · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 354 Location: Glenview, IL

JtheLegend · Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 518

"Passive" -OTB
(the arrangement is just so damn effective and the soloist is also a pretty damn good rock soloist which can be lacking in quite a few aca groups)

"Hurt" - Bubs
(I liked their paranoid android, but I preferred OTB's version, plus hurt as ALOT of subtle nuances that make it that much more amazing)

"Queen of the Night" - Divisi
(those girls have SO much attitude on that track it's ridiculous)

"Crazy Train" - Clefs
(though the 2nd rapper just can't quite keep up with Twista and imho that does severely hurt the strength of the track)

"The Scientist" - Last Call
(don't think scientist has been on a boca and lc has the best one i've heard so far...the spacy soloist and those backgrounds are just hauntingly beautiful)

OTR will prolly get one of the originals on there
a) cuz' they're pretty good and b) cuz' not many groups do originals

"Faster Faster" or "Memory Remains" - Harmonics
(the first one has both a great arrangement and a really strong soloist...as well as great execution/production, however the soloist on the 2nd, though the arrangement is a bit simpler, brings his solo up from the depths of hell and is able to scare the shit out of everyone with just how devilish it is)

"Flicks" - Tufts SQ
(the arrangement/production are just plain great. It's a fun song and the soloist really REALLY sounds amazingly like Imogen Heap of Frou Frou...so despite not being one of the "big" groups, I wouldn't discount it)

"For Me this is Heaven" - The Octaves
(great track, great solo, great production, nuff said)

"Echo" - Chordials
(though I actually doubt this one, I still put it on the list just 'cause it's my group and i'm damn proud of it)

*a short but effective list*
plenty of others, but those I feel are definites...or should be anyway
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harry · Joined: 14 Dec 2002 Posts: 65

I happen to like Broken, Pain, and In the Meantime from OTB and think any of them could be on BOCA although the solos on Bedshaped and Limp are hot.

billhare · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 9:57 am Post subject:

Another thing about this - I think there will be more "wild cards" this year as well. Us "producer folk" (who are a small community unto ourselves so we know what each other are doing) seem to have a lot of 1 or 2 song projects from groups that are specifically recording stuff for a shot at BOCA gold. Because they are concentrated efforts (lots of energy going into one or two songs) there is some pretty incredible stuff coming out of groups you might not have even heard of yet. I (and others) are working overtime this weekend on several projects at once to make the BOCA deadline... :-)

This will be a very good BOCA, I'm sure - D&D have quite a job ahead of them!

-B
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carlyonders · Joined: 13 Aug 2004 Posts: 253

Johnsapella · Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 324 Location: Charlottesville

What is it that carries with a group that enables them to be on BOCA year after year, even after the members have been completely replaced by new people?

What is that fire, and why does it...what's the word? burn?
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dherriges · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 550 Location: San Francisco, CA

Bill Hare. Make a bargain with him, and he'll promise to get you on BOCA and steal your voice in exchange.

OK, that was merely my best attempt at a response to the Little Mermaid reference. But I do think production is the most obvious thing that makes a big difference. Bill obviously isn't responsible for all of the groups whose recordings consistently make BOCA, nor would any of those groups be doing so if they just plain sucked. But it takes money, time and energy, and somebody with the right know-how to make a recording that really brings out the strengths in your group's sound and hides the weaknesses, and there are a very limited number of people with that know-how when it comes to a cappella.

Also, a tradition of innovative or just generally very solid arranging is something that a group can maintain over the years through many changes in membership. I'd imagine that can help some groups get onto BOCA... if you're doing great material even in a year when you had some bad luck in auditions.

Finally, there's the obvious factor that groups that are just really good will tend to attract the best new talent at their school. But there are a lot of groups that don't make BOCA every couple years that no doubt have some better singers, and put on a better live show, than some that do.
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Valerie · RARB Joined: 30 Oct 2002 Posts: 367 Location: Carrboro, NC

Tippy · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 76

DekeSharon · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 1456 Location: San Francisco

I think it's group leadership and organization.

Money's an important part of the formula, but it can easily be squandered. Without good direction, good arranging, good singing, good recording and good decisions made about where/how to spend the money you have, you're not gonna have a great track.

No more than 1/5th of the groups Bill works with end up on BOCA in any given year, which says something. No one can spin gold out of straw, not even Bill.

Also, don't forget that time is an important coefficient. The more time you have the less money you need, provided you're making the right decisions. More groups are going the self-recorded route, and the increased time they spend significantly decreases the money needed to make the track great.

Perhaps it's like the expression "It takes money to make money." Yes, if you have money you can make money, but don't think that means everyone with money today is rich tomorrow; you still have to invest wisely. More wisely than the other groups shooting for BOCA. 18 slots for roughly 120 groups in any given year. Money matters, but good decision making is far more important.
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