BWW CD Review: Well-Strung's POPSSICAL is Vibrantly Bodacious

The boys of Well-Strung are back with their thrilling sophomore album, POPssical. With a track listing inspired by their acclaimed cabaret show by the same title (reviewed here), this follow-up to their self-titled debut album avoids the treacherous waters of the dreaded sophomore slump and gifts fans and newcomers with a vibrantly bodacious new record that improves on their original and alluring concept.

The album opens with the oh-so-familiar melody of Karl Jenkins "Palladio Suite, Palladio I, Allegretto." Arranged by Well-Strung's cellist, Daniel Shevlin, the infamous Jenkins melody brilliantly transforms into the pop radio hit "Royals" (Lorde, Joel Little). The energy and enthusiasm of this piece sets the tone for the mash-up heavy album, which is only elevated by Christopher Marchant, Well-Strung's 2nd violinist, and Trevor Wadleigh's, Well-Strung's violist, clever arrangement of "Blank Space" (Taylor Swift, Max Martin Shellback) and "Violin Partita No.3" (Johann Sebastian Bach).

With pulsating energy, the album electrifies the listener with Shevlin's arrangement of "String Quartet in F Minor 2nd Movement: Assez vif. Trés rhythme" (Maurice Ravel) and "Somebody That I Used to Know" (Luiz Bonfa, Walter De Backer) and Wadleigh's arrangement of "Call Me Maybe" (Carly Rae Jepsen, Joshua Keeler, Tavish Joseph Crowe) and "Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major BWV 1048, 1st Movement" (Bach). Yet, the album (like the cabaret experience) hits its emotional epicenter with Dana Levinson's arrangement of "String Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, Opus 27 Poco Andante" (Edvard Grieg) and "Wrecking Ball" (MoZella, Stephan Moccio, Sacha Skarbek, Lukasz Gottwald, and Henry Russell Walter). This completely epic track, played and sung with stirring poignancy is worth the price of the album alone. Not to mention, the harmonies on this track are simply astounding.

Playing with the 1979 bluegrass hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" (Charlie Daniels, Tom Crain, "Taz" DiGregorio, Fred Edwards, Charles Hayward, James W. Marshall), Bruce Carter skillfully interpolates "Concerto For 2 Violins in D Minor BMV 1043, 1st Movement" (Bach) into the unforgettable classic. Well-Strung plays the new version with precision and personality, having fun with the characters while impressing with deft musicianship on the intricate Bach moments.

Arranged by Well-Strung, the mash up of "With or Without You" (Bono) and "Try" (Busbee, Ben West) is both beautiful and moving. Carter's arrangement of "Overture - The Marriage of Figaro, K.49" (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart) and "I Gotta Feeling" (The Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta, Frédéric Riesterer) is performed with shimmering effervescence, and is sure to get listeners dancing.

As the album draws to a close, "Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen) as arranged by Edmund Bagnell, Well-Strung's 1st violinist, grounds the listener in sublime beauty. The track is filled to overflowing with resplendent vocal harmonies and lush melodies. Marchant's arrangement of "Titanium" (Sia Furler, David Guetta, Giorgio Tuinfort, Nick Van De Wall) and "Don't Stop Believin'" (Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, Neal Schon) smartly mixes two different anthems into one song that fills the listener with its infectious power. Then, in the same way that an encore works in a live concert, Well-Strung returns with sprightly energy to sing an ode to Hillary Clinton with their bonus track "Chelsea's Mom," which is set to the tune of "Stacy's Mom" (Chris Collingwood, Adam Schlesinger) but features new lyrics by Well-Strung, Jeffery Roberson, and Jacques Lamarre.

Well-Strung's POPssical was released by Well-Strung and Matt Farber Enterprises on October 2, 2015. The album is available for purchase from iTunes, CD Baby, and at their live shows.

For more information about Well-Strung and where you can catch them live, please visit http://well-strung.com.