Ben Folds - University A Cappella reviewed

University A Cappella Ben Folds Epic Rating: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)

If there's one thing Ben Folds is famous for, it's his use of the piano to drive a melody and to create the mood for his songs.

For obvious reasons, that use of the piano is completely absent in this collection of Folds' hits performed by college a cappella groups from around the country. However, the groups featured on the album do an excellent job compensating for the lack of instrumental availability - this is a cappella at it's finest.

Sometimes, all the doo-wopping the groups do can get to be a bit much. Sometimes, you'll wonder if you're listening to some of the most popular songs among the college crowd of the '90s. The cover songs work best when the a cappella groups keep the '50s affectations to a minimum ("Time," "Army") or play into it completely because it's appropriate for the song ("Effington").

US News & World Report might say University A Cappella is just below Ivy League.