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Music review: A Great Big World – ëƵIs There Anybody Out There?ëƵ

By Clint Rhodes for The 2 min read
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Music review: A Great Big World - ëƵIs There Anybody Out There?ëƵ

2 / 2

Rhodes

Apparently, a lot of people out there are indeed listening to the savory melodic pop of A Great Big World.

The dramatic duo of Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino met while music business students at New York University. One could certainly say that their studies have paid off in a big way. Axel and Vaccarino first made a memorable impact in 2013 on the strength of the viral hit ëƵThis Is the New Year.ëƵ

The uplifting number received mass audience exposure when covered by the cast of ëƵGleeëƵ on the popular Fox show.

Funded on Kickstarter by loyal fans, A Great Big World released a self-titled EP prior to the bandëƵs debut full-length album. With traces of Queen and Billy Joel freely flowing from the charismatic bandëƵs arrangements, ëƵIs There Anybody Out There?ëƵ delivers piano-driven pop with irresistible hooks and mature and sensitive lyrics.

The innocence and energy of ëƵRockstarëƵ opens with an infectious groove and sweeping harmonies. ëƵLand of OpportunityëƵ follows with a quirky and playful tone reminiscent of Panic! at the Disco. The synth-pop of ëƵI Really Want ItëƵ is properly punctuated with in-the-moment fun, while the soulfully acoustic charm of ëƵShorty DonëƵt WaitëƵ radiates a Jason Mraz laid-back vibe.

The intensely emotional and vulnerable ëƵSay SomethingëƵ serves as the albumëƵs standout moment with Christina Aguilera lending her beautiful voice to bring the album to a stunning close. While the groupëƵs sound sparkles with hints of Broadway flair, there is so much more to ëƵIs There Anybody Out There?ëƵ than just a few over-the-top moments.

The appeal of ëƵA Great Big WorldëƵ is far-reaching and diverse, blending the craftsmanship of songwriting and the showmanship of performing into an act that says something hard to ignore.

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