STYLE: Choral RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 157949-23204 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman
London-based singer Sam Robson has been described as "a one man a cappella gospel choir" and, following his multi-tracked vocal-only take on the old stalwart "I Need Thee, O I Need Thee" recently going viral on YouTube, he has released a debut album of unaccompanied versions of some of his favourite hymns. Like fellow a cappella internet sensations Pentatonix and Peter Hollens, Robson's arrangements are complex and vocally acrobatic and much-covered standards such as "Be Thou My Vision" and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" are given a new slant thanks to the man's considerable vocal talents. Whilst there's no denying Robson's technical brilliance, carrying much the same style over the space of a whole album tends to wear a bit thin and including other instrument-free elements such as beat-boxing or vocal bass lines would add some welcome variety to proceedings.
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