With A Twist

Straight No Chaser | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 13, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B0039BD77A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #74 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

  #39 in	Music > Rock
  #5 in	Music > Pop > Adult Contemporary

Track Listings

1. I'm Yours / Somewhere Over The Rainbow

2. Tainted Love

3. Don't Dream It's Over

4. Fix You

5. You're My Best Friend

6. The Living Years

7. You & Me & The Bottle Makes Three/Single Ladies

8. Wonderwall

9. Joy To The World

10. Under The Bridge

11. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

12. One Voice [feat. Barry Manilow]

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

'With A Twist' sees the acclaimed
a cappella group bringing its extraordinary vocal sound and inimitable musical approach to a wide range of pop favorites. The album features delightfully different renditions of modern classics like Red Hot Chili Peppers' 'Under The Bridge,' Coldplay's 'Fix You,' Crowded House's 'Don't Dream It's Over,' and Oasis' 'Wonderwall.' What's more, 'With A Twist' is highlighted by a stellar take on Barry Manilow's 'One Voice,' featuring guest vocals from Manilow himself.

'With A Twist' follows SNC's 2009 smash, 'Christmas Cheers.' A top 10 hit on Billboard's top seasonal albums chart, the collection features a selection of holiday-themed classics, reworked in the group's inventive and original style. Among its highlights is a studio version of the YouTube sensation, 'The 12 Days of Christmas,' the video of which is now approaching an extraordinary 11 million views.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can a Grammy be far behind?, April 13, 2010

By	Lisa Shoup (southern California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: With A Twist (Audio CD)

The magnificent Straight No Chaser knocked this one out of the park! Their three previous releases on the Atlantic Records label [Six Pack, Holiday Spirits, Christmas Cheers] are brilliant in their own right but this album cements Straight No Chaser's place as a major recording artist, finally giving us the album we all knew they had in them and would record once Atlantic Records was satisfied that SNC had nailed down a solid fan base. No longer are they merely a "YouTube sensation with a viral video" that brought them to the attention of Atlantic Records chairman & chief executive Craig Kallman. They are now an award-winning recording group with an exceptionally bright future that includes their current tour as well as a two-month gig this summer at Harrah's in Atlantic City. With their covers of songs from classic rock ["You're My Best Friend" and "I'm Yours", which beautifully incorporates a segment of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"] to 1970s pop ["Joy To the World", brilliantly arranged by Walter Chase, who composed SNC's hit & 2009 YouTube sensation "The Christmas CanCan"] to Coldplay's "Fix You" and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Under the Bridge", they demonstrate their vocal mastery, versatility and extraordinary arranging talents. Walter Chase, Dan Ponce & Ryan Ahlwardt all have terrific arrangements on this album, taking great songs and arranging them "with a twist" unique to SNC. The first listen-through was pure bliss, enjoying their intricate harmonies and beautiful solos. The second listen-through was eye-opening, as I really focused on the sounds that these 10 voices created with absolutely no instrumentation. You're not listening to a typical a capella experience, where one is acutely aware that there are no instruments. With Straight No Chaser you hear all the depth one is accustomed to from a recording with a full complement of studio musicians playing, but with SNC the brilliance is entirely vocal. A treat for me is Barry Manilow's great song "One Voice", the lyrics of which are a perfect illustration of what SNC is about, and with Mr. Manilow being a big fan of SNC he joins them here for a goose-bump inducing cover of his 1979 song. "With A Twist" reunites SNC with their co-producer, the incredible Deke Sharon who worked with them previously on 2009's "Christmas Cheers". The result is nothing short of brilliant, an auditory treasure for anyone and everyone who likes a good tune. I hope the Grammy Awards recognizes these 10 men - perhaps Best New Artist and/or Best Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group. This is no longer a "niche market" group ... SNC can hold their own against any recording artist!

SNC is Dan Ponce, Randy Stine, Walter Chase, Jerome Collins, Dave Roberts, Charlie Mechling, Ryan Ahlwardt, Mike Luginbill, Tyler Trepp and Seggie Isho... with no other sounds but those 10 voices.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great 'Twist' with Staright No Chaser!, June 9, 2010

By	Lorenzo M. in the Hollywood CA Area "Movie Wa... (North Hollywood, CA USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: With A Twist (Audio CD)

What a great group! I got a chance to see them open for Barry Manilow at his one and ONLY performance at the Hollywood Bowl in CA and they were amazing. They did this Christmas song compilation that was so amazing - I bought their Holiday Album that night!

Then I heard they teamed up with Barry Manilow again to do his "One Voice" song with him - a song that Manilow wrote decades ago - and here it is! (Yes Manilow is on this album for you Manilow fans!) This album is amazing. Their vocal talent and range is far superior to any accapella groups I have heard in the past. Plus it always sounds like their having fun with what they do.

From the opening of "I'm Yours/Somewhere Over The Rainbow" to more modern take of the songs like "Tainted Love", "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Fix You"

Other passionate renditions include "You're My Best Friend", "The Living Years" and the fun melding tunes of "You & Me & The Bottle Makes Three/Single Ladies" will make you sing along with them.

No music, no instramental usage - just passionate singing and song. I really like their version of "Joy To The World" very much - how their vocal arrangement of the classic "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" is my second favorite on the whole album!

What's my first favorite - you guessed it - One Voice (With Barry Manilow!) Barry wrote this song as a 'canon' and with all these voices behind him - it's an all out explosion of passion and harmony! And it's the last song on the CD!

I think you'll enjoy their talent but more importanly you'll enjoy the songs as they are obviously sung with a great amount of passion from their heart! Get this one for sure! 6-9-10

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True pleasure, April 14, 2010

By	MJ (Baltimore) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: With A Twist (Audio CD)

The more you listen to SNC, the more impressed you'll be by the wonderful, intricate harmonies of the singers and the originality of their arrangements. It truly is a CD that you want will enjoy again and again. I particularly liked their renditions of "I'm Yours" and "Joy to the World" and "The Living Years."

Only one caution--I couldn't wait, so I downloaded the electronic version and didn't realize until too late that by doing so I missed out on the "Out of Africa" bonus track and the "With a Twist" digital booklet (although I'm not sure what that is.) I may have to buy the CD after all--but it will be worth it.