OK, I know what I needed to get out of the funk, some really good music to get me excited.

I am fortunate today… I found a new group to listen to, now all I have to do is get the CD. The new group, “Toxic Audio". Bet you can’t gues what kind of music they do… go on guess… [BUZZER NOISE] wrong… try again… [BUZZER NOISE] wrong again… they sing A capella vocals… and they do it really well.

Think of them as a cross between Forever Plaid, Manhattan Transfer, Wierd Al, Abba, and Up With People. Tighter vocals than Plaid, smoother than Transfer and no instruments to get in the way, the humor of Al, the energy of Abba, and the feel good of People and you have Toxic Audio. They cover just about anything you want to hear from “If I Only Had A Brain” to “Stand By Me” and do with a style all their own. It is rare that I am excited about a new group, but this one I certainly am.

Call me crazy, but what do I use as a test of whether a vocal group is good or not? The “Star Spangled Banner”. Yep. It is generally one song just about every vocal group learns because they are often asked to perform it for whatever reason. So I use that as a standard as to how good they are. I guess I am not alone in this, because there on their page, a link to the “Star Spangled Banner” for everyone to judge for themselves. Wow… they blew me away. Broke the funk. BTW, if you are going to listen to this, be sure to use good headphones because the speaker in a little computer or laptop will not handle the quality, and even so, it is obvious that the MP3 is not handling the quality either. It is that good. Then check out the Other Toxic Audio Clips... you’ll love it.

There was another guy I recently got in the same mood for, and he broke me out of another funk, his name is Matisyahu. He is a Hasidic Jew singing Reggae. Yeah Reggae of all things. He is really good as well. I highly suggest you check him out too. Good lyrics, good beat, and none of the negativity that some associate with Reggae. If you can take a bit of Hebrew, you’ll love it.

Then there are the two others that usually do get me out of a funk that I totally forgot about. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Cherry Poppin’ Daddys. BBVD actually has a new live album (I have seen them live, they are great, see them too if you can) out that I should get (along with all of their others, but that is another story), and of course there is the hunt for that elusive second CPD album , not Zoot Suit Riot…

Other than that, I like Barbershop music. Yeah, makes sense if I like Toxic Audio right? Well, I used to sing it as well, and I do kinda miss it… maybe I will get that going again… Anyway… if you are in the mood for BSQ, check out these Quartets, my faves… The Buffalo Bills (they are the one that appear in “The Music Man” movie), The Suntones, Boston Commons, The Acustixand FRED (a comedy group, very good.)

Have fun.