The List On AP: Are Instruments Instrumental?

November 19, 2009

We know you’re totally in love with Glee, and don’t tell us it’s because Puck’s Mohawk is super-hot or the sexual tension between Rachel and Finn is too juicy to miss or that Sue Sylvester’s one-liners are the stuff of legendary TV writing (even though all of the above is true). We know the real reason everyone is obsessed with this prime-time perfection is the catchy, three-part-harmonizing put to your favorite Top 40 guilty pleasures. (Does it get any better than a high school show choir taking on Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and Kanye West’s “Gold Digger”?) But it also begs the question: Are instruments always instrumental? When bands put their instruments down (or at least relegate them to the background), and shine the spotlight on vocals–a cappella style–sometimes magic is made. Here are a few examples of bands who were into Glee before it was cool. What are your favorite a cappella songs?

TV On The Radio — “Ambulance” from Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
TV On The Radio’s “Ambulance” matches the dictionary definition of a capella in that it’s “without instrument accompaniment.” Although vocalist Tunde Adebimpe and vocalist/guitarist Kyp Malone are known for their impressive ranges, free of the looping so common in TV’s music, their truly talented singing voices shine through on this number.

Ambulance – TV On The Radio

Elliott Smith — “Because” from the American Beauty soundtrack
It’s hard to get any more classic than a Beatles song, but Elliott Smith (whose tragic suicide has made him somewhat of a legend in the indie-rock world), sure upped the ante with this (mostly) vocals-only version of the Fab Four’s tune, which originally appeared on Abbey Road.

Because – Elliott Smith

Ben Folds — Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!
A fan of a cappella and an advocate for music education, Ben Folds put together a collection of 16 Ben Folds and Ben Folds Five songs, song by collegiate a cappella groups from around the corner. While they’re all interesting takes on classic BF tunes, we’re partial to “Brick” (performed by the Ohio University Leading Tones) and “Effington,” sung by Ben himself.

University A Cappella!

Jud Jud — “X Speed Picking Song X”
Though a “joke” hardcore band (we’re told to discount all info on the band’s MySpace page), Jud Jud shouldn’t be overlooked just because they didn’t take themselves seriously. Bringing breakdowns to show choir, the two dudes in Jud Jud can seriously move their mouths, as evidenced with the trills in “X Speed Picking Song X.”
We couldn’t snag a version of the song, but you can hear it here.

Mindless Self Indulgence — ”Straight To Video (S2v Acappella)” from Straight To Video: Remixes
Jimmy Urine might not be the first musician you’d think of when picking someone to join your show choir’s mash-up team. But when the band issued the remix album for Straight To Video, it included an a cappella version of the title track. And just to be fair, they also threw in an instrumental track of the same song-sharing the love with the whole band.