PTX, Volume 1
| Untitled | |
|---|---|
PTX, Volume 1 is the debut extended play album by the a cappella group Pentatonix. It was released on June 26, 2012.
Conception and development
After winning the title of champion in the reality show The Sing-Off, Pentatonix was signed to a record label, enabling them to pursue their goal of a musical career. The group promoted their then-upcoming EP through YouTube videos with covers of pop songs such as "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye featuring Kimbra, "Gangnam Style" by PSY, and "We Are Young" by Fun, which went viral.[1][2]
Reception
The Gizzle Review gave the EP four stars out of five, praising the group by saying, "these new [cover song] versions are exquisite - filled with tight harmonies, impressive riffing and plenty of vocal bells and whistles." However, they also pointed out that, "This EP doesn't have the same variety of material as the group presented on The Sing Off (admittedly consisting of themed rounds)." hoping for more variety in future albums.[3] Alt Rock Live gave a score of 9 out of 10: "Pentatonix brings so much energy into their music along with intense talent and creativity. Their sound is a little futuristic while staying firmly rooted in modern pop rock."[4]
In 2013, the Contemporary A Cappella Society awarded the album with Best Pop/Rock Album, Best Pop/Rock Song for "Starships", and Best Soul/R&B Song for "The Baddest Girl".[5]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| The Gizzle Review |   [3] |
| Alt Rock Live | 9/10[4] |
Commercial performance
The album peaked at number 14 in the US Billboard 200 chart and number 5 on the digital chart[6][7] selling 20,000 copies in its first week of release.[8][9] It also peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard Top Independent Albums chart making it Madison Gate Records' highest charting release to date.[10]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Starships" | Onika Maraj, Nadir Khayat, Rami Yacoub, Carl Falk, Wayne Hector | Nicki Minaj | 3:01 |
| 2. | "The Baddest Girl" | Scott Hoying | Pentatonix | 3:49 |
| 3. | "Somebody That I Used to Know" | Wally de Backer, Luiz Bonfá | Gotye featuring Kimbra | 3:19 |
| 4. | "Aha!" | Imogen Jennifer Jane Heap | Imogen Heap | 2:37 |
| 5. | "Show You How to Love" | Avi Kaplan, Kevin Olusola | Pentatonix | 3:53 |
| 6. | "Love You Long Time" | Salaam Remi, Jazmine Sullivan | Jazmine Sullivan | 3:05 |
| 7. | "We Are Young" | Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, Jack Antonoff, Jeffrey Bhasker | fun. featuring Janelle Monáe | 3:07 |
Charts
| Chart (2012) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[11] | 14 |
| US Digital Albums (Billboard)[12] | 5 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard)[13] | 2 |
Personnel
- Pentatonix
- Mitch Grassi - tenor/countertenor lead and backing vocals
- Scott Hoying - baritone lead and backing vocals
- Kirstie Maldonado - mezzo-soprano lead and backing vocals
- Avi Kaplan - bass lead and backing vocals
- Kevin Olusola - vocal percussion backing vocals
- Production
- Ben Bram - production
References
- ^ "Pentatonix 'We Are Young' A Capella Cover Goes Viral". Huffington Post. May 9, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ Wakim, Marielle (July 16, 2012). "Pentatonix Are Making a Cappella Cool Again (or Maybe for the First Time)". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ a b "The Gizzle Review". July 12, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- ^ a b "Alt Rock Live Review". July 9, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
- ^ "2013 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners". CASA.org. March 31, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
- ^ Trust, Gary (July 6, 2012). "Weekly Chart Notes: Whitney Houston, Pentatonix, Andy Griffith". Billboard.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
- ^ Grein, Paul (July 4, 2012). "Week Ending July 1, 2012. Albums: Keeping Adam Humble". Yahoo! Music Chart Watch. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
- ^ Smith, Grady (July 3, 2012). "Winners of 'The Sing-Off' outsell 'The Voice' winner Javier Colon". music-mix.ew.com. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ "Linkin Parks One, Maroon's Next". Hits Daily Double. June 27, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
- ^ "Pentatonix Debut at #14 on Billboard's Top 200". PRNewswire.com. July 9, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
- ^ "Pentatonix Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ^ "Pentatonix Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link] Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ^ "Pentatonix Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2014.