Out Cold
Rockapella · 1990
52 min · 14 tracks · a cappella
A vibrant a cappella tapestry weaving seasonal nostalgia with playful harmonies and intricate vocal arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Christmas Ceasefire (in Japanese) — This track highlights Rockapella's cultural inclusivity, featuring a poignant message of peace delivered through intricate vocal harmonies in Japanese, showcasing their artistic range.
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NYC Winter — Capturing the essence of winter in New York City, this song combines vivid imagery with lush harmonies to evoke both nostalgia and warmth amidst the cold.
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The Christmas Song — Rockapella's rendition transforms this classic into a fresh vocal arrangement, emphasizing tight harmonies that breathe new life into well-known melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Rockapella's 'Out Cold' blends innovative vocal arrangements with holiday themes, making it a standout in a cappella music.
What we noticed
- The album features intricate vocal arrangements where each track showcases a different combination of harmonies and rhythmic patterns.
- Several tracks incorporate playful call-and-response sections, enhancing the interactive feel of the performances.
- The sequencing alternates between upbeat and slower songs, creating a dynamic flow that maintains listener engagement throughout.
- A notable use of vocal percussion replaces traditional instruments, allowing the group to create a full soundscape solely through voices.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- playful holiday sing-alongs
- nostalgic winter evening vibes
- short bursts of festive cheer
- intricate vocal harmonies and arrangements
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy immersive albums
- want heavy instrumental backing
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1990, Out Cold marked Rockapella's first holiday album, following their emergence as a prominent a cappella group in the late 1980s. This album solidified their reputation for innovative vocal arrangements, showcasing their unique blend of pop and traditional holiday music as they continued to gain recognition beyond their original performances on 'Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?'.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Blenders· Pentatonix· The House Jacks
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Last Night 5:00
- 2 1st Night 3:15
- 3 Secret Santa 2:51
- 4 Christmas Ceasefire (in Japanese) 4:40
- 5 Come My Way 3:10
- 6 Glow Worm / It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas 2:42
- 7 NYC Winter 4:20
- 8 The Christmas Song 4:04
- 9 For the Love 2:43
- 10 Rock River 4:12
- 11 Winter Wonderland 2:55
- 12 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 3:12
- 13 Bored & Stroked 3:24
- 14 I Know Christmas 5:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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