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March 24, 2009 -- Once in a great while there's a group that comes along that transcends the art form, helping catapult it into a new style and culture.  zero8 from Sweden has taken on that roll of "trailblazer" introducing a dynamic new recording that is definitely the future sound of barbershop.  The CD is called "Change The World" and zero8 most certainly abides to the title. 

The first thing that caught my ear while listening to the CD was the ability of the singers to switch musical genres depending on the song.  For example, one of my favorite performances is Eric Clapton's "Change The World" which had a real pop flavor both to the chart and the flawless execution by the chorus.  Later in the CD, zero8 sings a traditional Swedish drinking song entitled "Käraste Bröder" where the chorus is able to switch their vocals to a more classical choral sound.  Of course their barbershop singing is astounding, featuring superb performances with great clarity in tone and musical interpretation.  Their barbershop contest numbers "You Don't Know Me" and the David Wright epic "California, Here I Come" are sung with such perfection the chorus makes them sound like they're as easy to sing as polecats.  It takes smart and talented musicians to pull off such quality.

Music Director and founder Doug Harrington is better known in North America as the Baritone of the 1989 International Quartet Champion Second Edition.  Back in the eighties, his quartet revolutionized the sound of barbershop quartets.  Today, he is doing the same thing with barbershop choruses.  Harrington has taken the qualities of a Westminster and the organization skills from a Masters of Harmony to create a very special team of singers that will no doubt find a place in the world as one of the great choral groups of our time.  Harrington also shows off his solo abilities in several of the recordings, most notably in the album's title song "Change The World."

The arrangements performed on this recording are contemporary and forward thinking.  While I liked hearing the old time charts such as "Peg O' My Heart" I find myself hitting the repeat button on more modern pieces like "People Get Ready, Change The World, Copacabana and All You Need Is Love", the latter features the current 2008 College Quartet Champions Ringmasters.  In fact, the songs I enjoyed the most were by  arrangers I've never heard of before like Staffan Paulson, Rasmus Krigström and Joel Bexelius.  They may not be household names to barbershoppers, but they sure do understand how to arrange a song and keep the elements intact.  In other words, they don't "barbershop it" and throw in as many sevenths and swipes as they can.  The song is "translated" into a vocal version of the original piece.  It may not score well in a barbershop contest but it sure is entertaining and an appropriate compliment to the song.

The liner notes in the CD are well established with song information, bios and pictures.  I liked that each song has a sponsor who was thanked by the chorus for their monetary contribution to the recording.  Very classy and original.

Change The World is a breakthrough in choral recording and entertainment.  I guarantee you will listen to this CD more than once and will more than likely find a long term home in the number five slot of your car's CD player.  It's a must have.

To purchase zero8's "Change The World" visit their website here.