Avi said apart from an organ & clapping...all beats & vocals are him.....just brilliant....you might enjoy his beautiful visual....Quarter Past Four....he started writing songs to express his struggle & to help others fight depression.....the cinematography is sublime.
Avi is an amazing talent and a very kind amd caring human being. He's just a very special soul. No one is perfect, but this guy may actually come close. 😂
Avi's mom had cancer and travelling back home every weekend while on a world tour just wore him out and he felt he needed to be with his family that is why he left. he loves folk music and did few songs with another group before taking a year off to himself and that year is when he wrote these songs if you listen to them in order it sort of tells a story of what he went through during all that time.
I'm so glad you posted this. Not many people understand why Avi needed to slow the pace down and be with family. Kudos to you Ollie Jordan. xo *Big Love*
@@taepopswright5132 Before he left PTX, he helped them find his replacement, Matt Sallee, since he knew exactly what they needed in a bass. He attended Kevin Olusola's wedding and Kevin occasionally shows up on his Instagram Livestream.
It's my favorite of all Avi's songs, with Change On The Rise a close second. Honestly, I'm loving everything he's done since going solo. I felt there was something very special about him the first time I heard him with PTX, and his voice continues to touch my soul with each song. Although they're completely different in style, I haven't felt that way about any singer since I first heard Chris Daughtry. Love them both.
Avi's voice soothes my soul. 💕 He sang an acoustic version on his live stream a couple days ago and it was amazing. Thank you for the great reaction video. 😊
The first time I heard "Change" last year, my immediate reaction was a combination of Native American and Celtic war chant. By the way, when asked which of his songs Avi has enjoyed best performing live on tour, he answered "Change on the Rise", because the audience always sings along with gusto, which is enormously satisfying for him. I've been to 3 of his live shows, and I can definitely attest to the audience getting into it with him. If you want to see what I'm talking about, here's a clip from Avi's July 12, 2019 show in San Francisco: @
This is a 'Feel' song as much as a 'Hear' song. Earphones make it meet in the middle of my head with depth, close my eyes, don't want it to end kind of thing.
Avi’s first solo album is very folky and shows his range of what a talent he is. He is a classically trained singer and plays several instruments. He also teaches music to children and hosts an a capella academy every year.
I listen to Avi a lot more since he left the group. I liked him in the group but what he does now really does appeal to me so much more. Fabulous voice. Good detailed reaction, I'm really enjoying your reactions, lots of thanks 🙋😁💜 Have you reacted to any Home Free? If you get the chance can you react to "In The Blood" by them. Thank you
Hi Lukas - Thank you for introducing me to Avi Kaplan - I'm loving his deep bass voice and so excited to discover more...my music knowledge is almost non-existent and I base all my reactions purely on whether i am moved by what i hear/feel in my gut, heart and brain and listening to the first few seconds of this instantly made me think of Rag n Bone Man singing Human - I am probably completely wrong but curious enough to hear if anyone else does...I said it before - love your comments and reactions! Peace & Love from Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa.
Avi is a serious student of music. He talks about being in this for the long haul and writing music that is absolutely true to him no matter if it is a commercial success or not. I listened to an interview he did with @tommymarzband @soundvapors and was completely impressed with the seriousness of his intention Its pretty clear he wants to create a powerful original body of work and is willing to put in the time. I personally feel lucky to be here at the beginning of this amazing journey. The first EP was done while he was still with PTX. This one is after he left. The songs he has released since last March are about anger, hurt, burnout and the pounding determination to get through it no matter what. There's a definite story. Chains, darkest most claustrophobic feeling of weight on your shoulders. Summit, the hard dark slog of life when all you really want is to go home. I'll Get By, this too shall pass and brighter days will come It Knows Me, I have taken a hard look at myself and hard as it is I see my shortcomings Sweet Adeline part 2, a serious apology to a past lover Otherside, moving out from under the weight and feeling peace Change on the Rise. The beginnings of hope and passion and the knowledge that a new life is starting. And from here he has written beautiful songs that have the feeling of delight in the life he is finally able to live. Many of these have been sung in concerts but haven't been released. This is my interpretation. To me the thread that pulls all his solo work together...all of it...is that it all tells the story of his life
I said the first time I heard this, it made me feel like I was watching a movie about a man who was struggling to fight against trouble that was not justified as being his, but he fought through the judgement and accusations to find a Change On The Rise to overcome all while proving his innocence to surprise all who falsely accused him. Powerful song. I would LOVE to hear it used in a movie!
If you are feelin guilty or worried about missing something when you pause, many reactors go back about 10 seconds to pick it back up. Probably not as important on solo singers, but you never know what change or switchup you will miss on Pentetonix.😁😁 Really enjoying your reactions. BTW, this was filmed out on Avis' property in his home. He lives out in the woods outside of Nashville. Nature is how he recharges. Just one of the reasons he left PTX....they are so busy and he wasn't getting the down time he needed. And not being able to be with his mom as much while she had cancer treatments affected him deeply. He speaks about it in some of his personal videos about how these songs were written as he was struggling with depression and anxiety. And if you listen to them with that in mind, you can tell how he was progressing into a brighter place.🙂 I would probably play "The Other Side" next.
Some other Avi performances to check out: Avi is the featured guest with another a cappella group, Home Free (they won the Sing-Off the year after Pentatonix's season), in their cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire"; on "Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair", Avi duets with Peter Hollens (who participated on season 2 of the Sing-Off with his college a cappella group).
I'm excited to see you react to this. It is such a powerful, incredible song and one of my all-time favorites. Listening to it again 'with you' I'm realizing how fitting it is for this moment in time as well. It's just incredibly inspiring and moving and I wish more people knew of it.
Another fine reaction........Avi Kaplan is a great talent, and this song showcases his richness of tone in his naturally deep voice. Another piece that does so is his collaboration with Peter Hollens, where they sing "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair". He and Mr. Hollens layer their voices into six part harmony, and it is something to hear. Just a suggestion should you want to hear a duo with a deep and high contrast.
GREAT reaction! I'm enjoying your Pentaholic journey. If you listen to his solo work, his aesthetic is more folk and Pentatonix was always more traditional pop. Even the other Solo projects from the rest of the group have a contemporary pop feel. This is where his heart is. I suggest "Quarter Past Four" and his cover of "Hey Ya" by Outkast - give you a good feel for his new sound. :-)
I love your reactions! You are so present while listening and I can tell you have a real ear for music. I wanted to share something! I was so curious about a sound I was hearing during the chorus. A vibration with the drum beat. Almost sounded like distortion. I searched and found the answer in the sheet music for this song. Avi is singing two notes along with the drum beat on count one. The lowest of which is a G1! I think his backing vocals really add a gut grabbing feeling to this song. You might enjoy watching the sing-off performances if you want to see Pentatonix’s growth as a group! I very much enjoy your reactions!
I loved how you had just the tiniest bit of a smile after the first few phrases. Avi has a great eye for both still photography and cinematography, and he doesn’t settle for ‘this will be ok’. He often posts photos on Instagram, and they are always stunning. He doesn’t release a video until it lives up to his vision, either. For instance, he released the audio version of ‘I’ll Get By’ before he released the video version. He recently signed with Fantasy Records and they seem to be making sure his music and his name gets noticed, primarily in the folky/Americana circles. What I really appreciate about his music is his diversity of sound. You don’t hear 3 strums on his guitar and say ‘oh, that must be Avi Kaplan’. Thank you for a great review.
I really enjoy your lucid, coherent and appreciative reviews, Lukas - thank you for sharing them with us. (Btw, I think “visceral” was the word you were searching for, lol). I strongly recommend that you check out Home Free as an alternative to Pentatonix, perhaps starting with Man of Constant Sorrow, from the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” If I recall correctly. Hope to see more reactions soon!
I'm glad you pointed out to the cinematography of this, it's great! Also, yes, he wrote the song and sang all the parts, high and low, then beautifully layered them. Avi is very impressive.
Did you notice that there isn't a single chord change in the entire song? I'm not just saying that there's no KEY change; it's actually all on one CHORD. The bass line is constant. He does brief bass runs (as at 4:41) but it's not a chord change; he goes right back to the same bass note. As others have mentioned, Avi did ALL the vocals in this recording. All he added was some percussion and a bit of organ (that you can hear in the bridge, at 4:56). And yes, he wrote the lyrics and music. I'm so glad you commented on the color change at the end!
If you want a palette cleanser, try something by Angelina Jordan. She has 130 songs on TH-cam. Mostly covers, but some originals, which are amazing for her youth.
Very important to appreciate his level of talent ....to understand that the entire backing track ..all the humming all of the driving bass....is vocal tracks of Avi.....another example of looping layering would be Peter Hollens colab with Avi .. "Black is the color of my true loves hair"
This was his first real solo release just over a year ago. His next release was Otherside which is very different from this song with still having the same ability to make you feel bit deep down ❤️
No, his first solo work was Avriel and the sequoias. The sequoias are not a band. They are the literal trees. He speaks about it on one of his live-streams.
just saw you on youtube,Such a good commentary-reaction. Wow this is a powerful song; the lyrics are amazing & love the cinematography. Avi has many songs out in the 5 yrs since leaving PTX. I can absolutely see some of them in movies. 🎥
If you wanna hear Avi go LOW.... in the Live version of AHA with Pentatonix (in... Star Vista?) At the beginning, Avi goes so low he practically busts out the speaker.
I totally respect and understand Avi's leaving of the group. My heart is with him wherever he goes. But for those of us who held Avi as our favorite singer in the group, and particularly those of us who'd followed PTX from the start, his leaving left us with some level of ...trauma? Not really but kinda. I was so sad to see my favorite member go so I had a hard time even listening to PTX songs for a long time. But reaction videos have pulled me back into listening to them... although I still mostly listen to the Avi era.
I totally get what you are saying and agree 100%! The other PTX members are all talented and attractive young people, but Avi has a certain "I don't know what ": depth, character, soul.
Same here! When I heard my First song of PTX, I Was instantly drawn to Avi and He was always my absolute favorite. I couldn't Listen to PTX for a very long time, cause something was missing and it wasn't the same Anymore. Just Listen to them again since this year, because of reactors. I love Avi's solo work so much, so I think it was the best for him in the end
You would enjoy Peter Hollens as well, I think. Lots of color in his voice as well. "I See Fire" is a good place to start with him. I Do adore Avi's solo work! Thank you for reacting to this!
I really enjoyed your observations about this song, which for me personally feels like an anthem of hope. I love Avi's new EP with the music he wrote over the past year, and one of my other favorite songs on it is "It Knows Me." He also sang Ring of Fire with an A Capella group called Home Free, it is really good and you might enjoy listening to both songs.
My first encounter with Avi. Cool song and the mood, although dark, is surprisingly optimistic, given the current struggles worldwide. "I feel a change on the rise ... And you can't tame it High tide, low tide, you know Night time, mornin' time, and We're goin' strong" I enjoyed both Avi and your reaction :)
I am a Grandmother, approaching 70, weighing 98lbs and standing at 5'2"... but after hearing this song I grew a goatee and had an overwhelming urge to hunt Grizzly Bears.
All of Avi's music hits your soul. I love his whole EP. Every song is amazing musically, lyrical meaning and of course vocals. His I'll get by song is great...but I love Chains & it knows me without a video as well.
Im a new subscriber. Love your reactions, And I love Avi . I was so disappointed when he left Pentatonix. But with hindsight being what it is, I can see that it was the right thing for him to do. Although they were a perfect match musically, I can see now that he really didn't fit in, the others being so clean cut and almost "preppie" while Avi was always in flannels and leather with the bushy beard and long hair. And his music is definately different from Pentatonix, Much heavier. Thank God he found the strength to walk away from all the fame and glamour to follow his own path. I came of age musically in the late 60s and early 70s and had to live through the loss of greats like Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendricks to name a few, who couldn't find the balance. Thank God he seems to have found a way. May be thiis was the Change he was thinking about when he wrote this song.
I completely agree with everything you said. Especially when I listen to his latest in depth interviews. He talks about how the music in him was almost dead by the time he left and in those last years every day all he wanted was to go home. He says this new music was about his journey through and back from that painful place. Like you I am so relieved and amazed at the strength in him. . He is brilliant, his work is so creative and varied, music just boils out of him and I think he is going to leave a body of work that will last for generations.
You should check out, "Otherside, Aberdeen, The summit, Get Down, I'll get by " just to name a few of the great songs of his. Thank you for the reaction!
I have heard almost all of Avi's songs and the thing that strikes me is that they do not sound alike. There are some song writers that you can instantly recognize one of their songs because they have a similar tone, or beat, or guitar lick, or very identifiable something, but Avi's songs seem to be unique in and of themselves. They are all very personal to him. They are just amazing. And he is an incredible whistler as well!! :o)
Sorry - I’ve come to this a little late. Great, thoughtful reaction. I may be wrong but the reason for the drastic colour change at the end of the video is to symbolise daybreak. Several of Avi’s songs make reference to how he struggles with insomnia and anxiety and how night is “walking blindly on a path without end, then the morning comes and leads me out again.” (Song for the Thankful). I’m sure you can work out the rest of the visual symbolism from there. Try Black is the Colour with Avi and Peter Hollens. You won’t be disappointed.
❤️I love Avi here - he’s like a dark and moody Jewish cowboy on a journey - love it. And of course - looove your reaction to it. You get so into it LOL ❤️
Hello from Australia! There are some amazing little projects that separate members of Pentatonix have done throughout the years. You already discovered Superfruit but for a good laugh try Hip Hop Goes Broadway and the best one, Frozen medley. Try watching Kevin's cover of Down, Scott and Rozzi in Lose Us. Kristin has some solo songs and in Voctave's Disney Love. But my absolute favourite side project is Avi with Peter Hollens in Black is the Colour of my True Love's Hair....Avi's rich, velvety, smooth tones are like melted Belgian dark chocolate. In spite of being so humble, Avi is immensely talented. Some of the best original Pentatonix songs were written and composed by him: Cracked (no video to it but you can feel the same vibes of the Change on the Rise), Run to You. You also have to check the song Scott wrote for his newly born nephew with Avi as leading vocal Light in the Hallway
Avi's change since leaving Pentatonix is one of the best things I've seen. He's music sends back to the wild, back to our nature's roots. What he does now is very strong and true. Very inspiring. He has become the mountain man. I hope he will stay away as far as possible from Pentatonix.
This is so fabulous. That drum heartbeat got me immediately. "We're singin' all day and you can't tame it." Is surely one of the best lyrics ever. And, obviously, the voice. Yum. If you haven't already, you might want to check out his duet with Peter Hollens - Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair. Simply gorgeous and the complete opposite of this.
'Uuuh' that was my reaction too to that last blue frame and had me thinking a loot hh. And oooh, right after this listen to "Otherside" (it came out right after "Change on the Rise") and soak in *that* contrast :))
If you want to listen to other great content, I recommend: Home Free: "Man of Constant Sorrow" or "Ring of Fire feat. Avi Kaplan" VoicePlay: "Oogie Boogie´s Song" Pentatonix: "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "Sing along" And Avi wrote some other great songs, but they are already recommended in the other comments ;)
Hi Lukas! Cheers from North Carolina. As someone from Denmark...did you feel a Viking vibe? Ha! I always do when I listen to this song. I expect to hear oars dipping into the water in time with the chant/beat. Avi's voice creates its own echo chamber and is so amazing. Very happy you found Avi post-PTX. I came to this video after watching your reaction video for Home Free's Ring of Fire (ft Avi) and you said you had reviewed some of Avi's latest work. It's all good stuff. These a cappella singers have worked to fine tune their craft, and it shows.
Avi has a whole EP out now and I don't think there is a bad song on it. Also, he did all the background vocals on this one. I think there is just some organ and drum accompaniment. Just thought you should know. Thanks for the reaction! Glad you enjoyed it!
This is a new song to me too but I find I'm enjoying it more each time I hear it. I always enjoy your reactions and information which enhance my experience of the videos you react to.
Love this song and so happy Avi is doing well! I would highly recommend his original song It Knows Me as it also very moving and showcases his remarkable voice! As always very much enjoyed your reaction😀
I loved him in PTX, but his solo work is absolutely astonishing, and REALLY speaks to me on a much more personal level than the Pentatonix music. I've been explaining that I found a "kindred spirit" in Avi's solo stuff, which is a complete 180 degree turn from his PTX stuff. His music (almost all of his songs are originals) is very personal and I feel he NEEDED to get away from the PTX group dynamic in order to release this music from his soul. All three of his solo albums are mini-masterpieces. Don't get me wrong, I still love PTX and I think Matt has been a terrific addition to the group, and I am very much a Pentaholic. But Avi's solo work is just mesmerizing to me.
What they all do outside Pentatonix is very different. It’s fun to see and hear them under a different light. They are all so talented. Always a pleasure. If you want new ideas, I suggest you watch the canadian band Walk off the Earth. They first got attention with their super original cover of Somebody that I Used to Know from Gotye (Pentatonix also has a great cover of the same song... lol). They do cover and originals. Their videos are very creative and entertaining. Another bunch of very talented people. It’s all good. Love your comments and reaction. 🤗
Another group you may like is called "The Hu" it's not in English but their sound is like Mongolian throat music and thrashing Hard Rock together it's pretty awesome they're like 5 videos on TH-cam my favorite is wolf totem
Love this song; it’s my favorite of his! I’d also like to recommend Casey Breves & Sam Tsui, a married couple. They’ve done several songs together (and more separately) , but probably my favorite is their mashup of “Thinking Out Loud/You’re Not the Only One.” I’d be curious to hear your reaction to it.
This song kinda has the feel of the evangelical south like maybe Mississippi or Louisiana kinda feeling? Avi reminds me of a modern day John Denver. Folk music mostly, his visuals always very nature based, and the music I feel would fit well in any small southern, mountain or midwestern town. Does it hit you that way, too?
Great comments by yourself your opinion of the footage based on your own skills it was great you saw that the video tried to follow the mood of the lyrics. Please can you do "Otherside" now. As other reviewers made this song the battle of his struggle to break free and the Otherside was the aftermath of that conflict. Thank you.
It seems that after the "Mitch slapped" we now have the "Avi moved". 🤣 Nobody, really nobody, can just sit still hearing this song. And indeed, his voice is so smooth, but also strong and powerful, it reaches your heart, your soul and your bones.
Several folks have requested “The Oogie Boogie Song” (for “A Nightmare before Christmas”) from VoicePlay. Their bass, Geoff Castellucci, has the lead. His range is enormous, and he’s a basso PROFUNDO, (the same as Avi Kaplan and Tim Foust of Home Free). The last note Castellucci sings was characterized by a vocal coach as one of the lowest she’d EVER heard. VoicePlay also competed on “The Sing-Off”. They lost to Home Free!
This is the first time i've heard this song myself, and i felt there was something very primal about it. If there weren't drums in it there was certainly the sound of drums. It's very much in the line of songs of protest, when the light songs haven't worked than the drums come out & it becomes more demanding. He may be the next Pete Seeger, Lord knows we could use Pete now. I read through the comments to learn more about his personal work and this song will make one of my "to listen to" lists for when i need strength.
Hi Lukas, loved your reaction, my first one. Please would you do a reaction on ptx (with Avi) Run to you and Full moon if you haven't already. Would be very interested to know your thoughts and feelings. Many thanks. Be safe. I must just add that when I first heard Change on the rise it just did things to me - it was soooo powerful and strong and I was just goosebumps from head to toe! WOW!!!
If you love his 'studio' offerings, you are going to flip over his acoustic renderings of these same songs! Just his guitar and his voice..... The man is a Bard in every sense of the word, including the 'magic' aspects.
Agree, and you really gotta hear him sing this live. There is nothing like standing 20 feet from him in front of the stage with a couple of hundred people in a small club and being able to see the emotions play across his face. And the whole room singing along with him, it is powerful!
Avi really kills this story of the Underground Railroad both visually and his soulful singing. Great job Avi! I can see where he had to sing this song. He is Jewish and his Faith's history with the Holocaust, it feels so natural to tell the story of helping blacks escape in the dark of night for their freedom
Avi made four songs...this is the way I look at it...this is his first song of the four...what I'm getting out of it is that it is a "war" song...I wish I knew what the names of the other three are...my only suggestion is to look at the videos and go by the date of said video....I watched all four in the right order and it's like a story made of music....I thought it was the most amazing thing to watch and listen to....
The cinematography and sound are just screaming as an movie introduction to me. Great sound. I really enjoy that you point stuff like that. Great reaction. Also I like that you scroll back after you give an opinion. Music, for me, is a story told in passion. Stopping it is like taking a break just before a climax.. it helps to remind the mind where it was being lead instead of just jumping back in. Just an opinion.
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Avi said apart from an organ & clapping...all beats & vocals are him.....just brilliant....you might enjoy his beautiful visual....Quarter Past Four....he started writing songs to express his struggle & to help others fight depression.....the cinematography is sublime.
Avi is an amazing talent and a very kind amd caring human being. He's just a very special soul. No one is perfect, but this guy may actually come close. 😂
Avi's mom had cancer and travelling back home every weekend while on a world tour just wore him out and he felt he needed to be with his family that is why he left. he loves folk music and did few songs with another group before taking a year off to himself and that year is when he wrote these songs if you listen to them in order it sort of tells a story of what he went through during all that time.
I'm so glad you posted this. Not many people understand why Avi needed to slow the pace down and be with family. Kudos to you Ollie Jordan. xo *Big Love*
Thanks so much for the explanation. I just always hoped that he left on good terms since I didn't understand why he left.
Thanks so much for providing context to his life/career decision as well as this recent song and others.
@@taepopswright5132 Before he left PTX, he helped them find his replacement, Matt Sallee, since he knew exactly what they needed in a bass. He attended Kevin Olusola's wedding and Kevin occasionally shows up on his Instagram Livestream.
"Feel it in my bones". Exactly. My favorite thing about his voice.
I am seriously living to his song "I'll get by" right now. Different tone than this song for sure but its SO GOOD
I ll get by is just amazing
❤️
It's my favorite of all Avi's songs, with Change On The Rise a close second. Honestly, I'm loving everything he's done since going solo. I felt there was something very special about him the first time I heard him with PTX, and his voice continues to touch my soul with each song. Although they're completely different in style, I haven't felt that way about any singer since I first heard Chris Daughtry. Love them both.
Avi has carved out a wonderful solo career for himself his writing talent is exceptional and straight from the heart loved the reaction
Avi's voice soothes my soul. 💕 He sang an acoustic version on his live stream a couple days ago and it was amazing. Thank you for the great reaction video. 😊
The first time I heard "Change" last year, my immediate reaction was a combination of Native American and Celtic war chant. By the way, when asked which of his songs Avi has enjoyed best performing live on tour, he answered "Change on the Rise", because the audience always sings along with gusto, which is enormously satisfying for him. I've been to 3 of his live shows, and I can definitely attest to the audience getting into it with him. If you want to see what I'm talking about, here's a clip from Avi's July 12, 2019 show in San Francisco: @
I agree on the vibe, but maybe also combined with a southern slave song or gospel influence?
I’m sure you’ll get much more information than I have, but this is an original song of Avi’s and he is singing all of the parts.
That's impressive!
Came here to say this. Was blown away when he told us he was doing all the vocals for this.
This is a 'Feel' song as much as a 'Hear' song. Earphones make it meet in the middle of my head with depth, close my eyes, don't want it to end kind of thing.
Avi’s first solo album is very folky and shows his range of what a talent he is. He is a classically trained singer and plays several instruments. He also teaches music to children and hosts an a capella academy every year.
I listen to Avi a lot more since he left the group. I liked him in the group but what he does now really does appeal to me so much more. Fabulous voice. Good detailed reaction, I'm really enjoying your reactions, lots of thanks 🙋😁💜 Have you reacted to any Home Free? If you get the chance can you react to "In The Blood" by them. Thank you
Hi Lukas - Thank you for introducing me to Avi Kaplan - I'm loving his deep bass voice and so excited to discover more...my music knowledge is almost non-existent and I base all my reactions purely on whether i am moved by what i hear/feel in my gut, heart and brain and listening to the first few seconds of this instantly made me think of Rag n Bone Man singing Human - I am probably completely wrong but curious enough to hear if anyone else does...I said it before - love your comments and reactions!
Peace & Love from Sea Point, Cape Town, South Africa.
Avi is a serious student of music. He talks about being in this for the long haul and writing music that is absolutely true to him no matter if it is a commercial success or not.
I listened to an interview he did with @tommymarzband @soundvapors and was completely impressed with the seriousness of his intention
Its pretty clear he wants to create a powerful original body of work and is willing to put in the time.
I personally feel lucky to be here at the beginning of this amazing journey.
The first EP was done while he was still with PTX. This one is after he left. The songs he has released since last March are about anger, hurt, burnout and the pounding determination to get through it no matter what. There's a definite story.
Chains, darkest most claustrophobic feeling of weight on your shoulders.
Summit, the hard dark slog of life when all you really want is to go home.
I'll Get By, this too shall pass and brighter days will come
It Knows Me, I have taken a hard look at myself and hard as it is I see my shortcomings
Sweet Adeline part 2, a serious apology to a past lover
Otherside, moving out from under the weight and feeling peace
Change on the Rise. The beginnings of hope and passion and the knowledge that a new life is starting.
And from here he has written beautiful songs that have the feeling of delight in the life he is finally able to live. Many of these have been sung in concerts but haven't been released.
This is my interpretation. To me the thread that pulls all his solo work together...all of it...is that it all tells the story of his life
Don't forget Full Moon - a song of the relief of finally finding peace along with the regretful knowledge that that peace inevitably cannot last.
@@professionalvampire1 yes Full Moon...How could I have forgotten that beautiful piece
I said the first time I heard this, it made me feel like I was watching a movie about a man who was struggling to fight against trouble that was not justified as being his, but he fought through the judgement and accusations to find a Change On The Rise to overcome all while proving his innocence to surprise all who falsely accused him. Powerful song. I would LOVE to hear it used in a movie!
If you are feelin guilty or worried about missing something when you pause, many reactors go back about 10 seconds to pick it back up. Probably not as important on solo singers, but you never know what change or switchup you will miss on Pentetonix.😁😁 Really enjoying your reactions.
BTW, this was filmed out on Avis' property in his home. He lives out in the woods outside of Nashville. Nature is how he recharges. Just one of the reasons he left PTX....they are so busy and he wasn't getting the down time he needed. And not being able to be with his mom as much while she had cancer treatments affected him deeply. He speaks about it in some of his personal videos about how these songs were written as he was struggling with depression and anxiety. And if you listen to them with that in mind, you can tell how he was progressing into a brighter place.🙂 I would probably play "The Other Side" next.
Avi has the ability to draw forth a primal reaction.
Some other Avi performances to check out: Avi is the featured guest with another a cappella group, Home Free (they won the Sing-Off the year after Pentatonix's season), in their cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire"; on "Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair", Avi duets with Peter Hollens (who participated on season 2 of the Sing-Off with his college a cappella group).
I heard Avi say on an interview that his favorite movie is Lord of the Rings. DEFINITELY that genre comes through on this song.
I'm excited to see you react to this. It is such a powerful, incredible song and one of my all-time favorites. Listening to it again 'with you' I'm realizing how fitting it is for this moment in time as well. It's just incredibly inspiring and moving and I wish more people knew of it.
Another fine reaction........Avi Kaplan is a great talent, and this song showcases his richness of tone in his naturally deep voice. Another piece that does so is his collaboration with Peter Hollens, where they sing "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair". He and Mr. Hollens layer their voices into six part harmony, and it is something to hear. Just a suggestion should you want to hear a duo with a deep and high contrast.
GREAT reaction! I'm enjoying your Pentaholic journey. If you listen to his solo work, his aesthetic is more folk and Pentatonix was always more traditional pop. Even the other Solo projects from the rest of the group have a contemporary pop feel. This is where his heart is. I suggest "Quarter Past Four" and his cover of "Hey Ya" by Outkast - give you a good feel for his new sound. :-)
Better yet, Aberdeen and Otherside. Also, he has covers of House Of The Rising Sun and Lean On Me that are excellent.
I love your reactions! You are so present while listening and I can tell you have a real ear for music. I wanted to share something! I was so curious about a sound I was hearing during the chorus. A vibration with the drum beat. Almost sounded like distortion. I searched and found the answer in the sheet music for this song. Avi is singing two notes along with the drum beat on count one. The lowest of which is a G1! I think his backing vocals really add a gut grabbing feeling to this song. You might enjoy watching the sing-off performances if you want to see Pentatonix’s growth as a group! I very much enjoy your reactions!
Check out PTX doing “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”. No words, all “instrumental” and they won a grammy for it.💕
It’s so clever
I loved how you had just the tiniest bit of a smile after the first few phrases. Avi has a great eye for both still photography and cinematography, and he doesn’t settle for ‘this will be ok’. He often posts photos on Instagram, and they are always stunning. He doesn’t release a video until it lives up to his vision, either. For instance, he released the audio version of ‘I’ll Get By’ before he released the video version. He recently signed with Fantasy Records and they seem to be making sure his music and his name gets noticed, primarily in the folky/Americana circles. What I really appreciate about his music is his diversity of sound. You don’t hear 3 strums on his guitar and say ‘oh, that must be Avi Kaplan’. Thank you for a great review.
I really enjoy your lucid, coherent and appreciative reviews, Lukas - thank you for sharing them with us. (Btw, I think “visceral” was the word you were searching for, lol). I strongly recommend that you check out Home Free as an alternative to Pentatonix, perhaps starting with Man of Constant Sorrow, from the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” If I recall correctly. Hope to see more reactions soon!
Visceral! Perfect. :)
agreed, Homefree is another great acapella group with a more Country sound and asthetic.
Could not agree more! Man of Constant Sorrow is a great one.
Man of Constant Sorrow is a old folk song - I remember hearing it frequently back in the 1960's.
@@lukashasselNY That word works, I was thinking 'Primal' lol
This song is so primal. And yes, powerful.
I'm glad you pointed out to the cinematography of this, it's great! Also, yes, he wrote the song and sang all the parts, high and low, then beautifully layered them. Avi is very impressive.
Did you notice that there isn't a single chord change in the entire song? I'm not just saying that there's no KEY change; it's actually all on one CHORD. The bass line is constant. He does brief bass runs (as at 4:41) but it's not a chord change; he goes right back to the same bass note. As others have mentioned, Avi did ALL the vocals in this recording. All he added was some percussion and a bit of organ (that you can hear in the bridge, at 4:56). And yes, he wrote the lyrics and music. I'm so glad you commented on the color change at the end!
Yes he wrote it, You should listen to his other songs they are beautiful😁
If you want a palette cleanser, try something by Angelina Jordan. She has 130 songs on TH-cam. Mostly covers, but some originals, which are amazing for her youth.
Very important to appreciate his level of talent ....to understand that the entire backing track ..all the humming all of the driving bass....is vocal tracks of Avi.....another example of looping layering would be Peter Hollens colab with Avi .. "Black is the color of my true loves hair"
I had no idea he was working on solid projects. He sounds incredible as always.
Great reaction. This is by far my favorite of Avi's solo work. It would fit perfectly in a dystopian movie soundtrack like a Hunger Games type movie.
This was his first real solo release just over a year ago. His next release was Otherside which is very different from this song with still having the same ability to make you feel bit deep down ❤️
No, his first solo work was Avriel and the sequoias. The sequoias are not a band. They are the literal trees. He speaks about it on one of his live-streams.
@@tanyanguyen3704 I know know Avriel and the Sequoias came before these.
just saw you on youtube,Such a good commentary-reaction. Wow this is a powerful song; the lyrics are amazing & love the cinematography. Avi has many songs out in the 5 yrs since leaving PTX. I can absolutely see some of them in movies. 🎥
If you wanna hear Avi go LOW.... in the Live version of AHA with Pentatonix (in... Star Vista?) At the beginning, Avi goes so low he practically busts out the speaker.
Yesss, second this, what an incredible performance
Link - th-cam.com/video/aT2Nm4fYmI4/w-d-xo.html
if you watch this performance, Kevin is there! just not in the frame of the camera.
I totally respect and understand Avi's leaving of the group. My heart is with him wherever he goes. But for those of us who held Avi as our favorite singer in the group, and particularly those of us who'd followed PTX from the start, his leaving left us with some level of ...trauma? Not really but kinda. I was so sad to see my favorite member go so I had a hard time even listening to PTX songs for a long time. But reaction videos have pulled me back into listening to them... although I still mostly listen to the Avi era.
Same here!
I totally get what you are saying and agree 100%! The other PTX members are all talented and attractive young people, but Avi has a certain "I don't know what ": depth, character, soul.
Same here! When I heard my First song of PTX, I Was instantly drawn to Avi and He was always my absolute favorite. I couldn't Listen to PTX for a very long time, cause something was missing and it wasn't the same Anymore. Just Listen to them again since this year, because of reactors. I love Avi's solo work so much, so I think it was the best for him in the end
I’m the same
Love this..... I hear the heartbeat.
This song definitely can be in a movie
He did write this one. He is also all the low tones you hear in the background.
You would enjoy Peter Hollens as well, I think. Lots of color in his voice as well. "I See Fire" is a good place to start with him. I Do adore Avi's solo work! Thank you for reacting to this!
one of my favorites by him is "It Knows Me" - a man coming to grips with his inner demons
I really enjoyed your observations about this song, which for me personally feels like an anthem of hope. I love Avi's new EP with the music he wrote over the past year, and one of my other favorite songs on it is "It Knows Me." He also sang Ring of Fire with an A Capella group called Home Free, it is really good and you might enjoy listening to both songs.
My first encounter with Avi. Cool song and the mood, although dark, is surprisingly optimistic, given the current struggles worldwide.
"I feel a change on the rise
...
And you can't tame it
High tide, low tide, you know
Night time, mornin' time, and
We're goin' strong"
I enjoyed both Avi and your reaction :)
I am a Grandmother, approaching 70, weighing 98lbs and standing at 5'2"... but after hearing this song I grew a goatee and had an overwhelming urge to hunt Grizzly Bears.
😁I know right, you just want to grab a torch and join the others!
All of Avi's music hits your soul. I love his whole EP. Every song is amazing musically, lyrical meaning and of course vocals. His I'll get by song is great...but I love Chains & it knows me without a video as well.
Yes to both of these songs!!
Im a new subscriber. Love your reactions, And I love Avi . I was so disappointed when he left Pentatonix. But with hindsight being what it is, I can see that it was the right thing for him to do. Although they were a perfect match musically, I can see now that he really didn't fit in, the others being so clean cut and almost "preppie" while Avi was always in flannels and leather with the bushy beard and long hair. And his music is definately different from Pentatonix, Much heavier. Thank God he found the strength to walk away from all the fame and glamour to follow his own path. I came of age musically in the late 60s and early 70s and had to live through the loss of greats like Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendricks to name a few, who couldn't find the balance. Thank God he seems to have found a way. May be thiis was the Change he was thinking about when he wrote this song.
I completely agree with everything you said. Especially when I listen to his latest in depth interviews.
He talks about how the music in him was almost dead by the time he left and in those last years every day all he wanted was to go home.
He says this new music was about his journey through and back from that painful place.
Like you I am so relieved and amazed at the strength in him.
. He is brilliant, his work is so creative and varied, music just boils out of him and I think he is going to leave a body of work that will last for generations.
Love this!! His voice is so deep it resinates inside you..just like you said inside your bones..fabulous!
This song makes me think of a werewolf anticipating the moon.
Прекрасная песня прекрасного человека! Один из самых моих любимых певцов на всей Земле! Спасибо за реакцию!
You should check out, "Otherside, Aberdeen, The summit, Get Down, I'll get by " just to name a few of the great songs of his. Thank you for the reaction!
This video and the very next one he released ,'Otherside',were both done by Buckets Moving Company. The locations are at his home and on his land.
I have heard almost all of Avi's songs and the thing that strikes me is that they do not sound alike. There are some song writers that you can instantly recognize one of their songs because they have a similar tone, or beat, or guitar lick, or very identifiable something, but Avi's songs seem to be unique in and of themselves. They are all very personal to him. They are just amazing. And he is an incredible whistler as well!! :o)
Sorry - I’ve come to this a little late. Great, thoughtful reaction. I may be wrong but the reason for the drastic colour change at the end of the video is to symbolise daybreak. Several of Avi’s songs make reference to how he struggles with insomnia and anxiety and how night is “walking blindly on a path without end, then the morning comes and leads me out again.” (Song for the Thankful). I’m sure you can work out the rest of the visual symbolism from there. Try Black is the Colour with Avi and Peter Hollens. You won’t be disappointed.
Strong! Thank you !
❤️I love Avi here - he’s like a dark and moody Jewish cowboy on a journey - love it. And of course - looove your reaction to it. You get so into it LOL ❤️
His voice is amazing, so rich
Avi.
My soul.
Hello from Australia! There are some amazing little projects that separate members of Pentatonix have done throughout the years. You already discovered Superfruit but for a good laugh try Hip Hop Goes Broadway and the best one, Frozen medley. Try watching Kevin's cover of Down, Scott and Rozzi in Lose Us. Kristin has some solo songs and in Voctave's Disney Love. But my absolute favourite side project is Avi with Peter Hollens in Black is the Colour of my True Love's Hair....Avi's rich, velvety, smooth tones are like melted Belgian dark chocolate. In spite of being so humble, Avi is immensely talented. Some of the best original Pentatonix songs were written and composed by him: Cracked (no video to it but you can feel the same vibes of the Change on the Rise), Run to You. You also have to check the song Scott wrote for his newly born nephew with Avi as leading vocal Light in the Hallway
Avi's change since leaving Pentatonix is one of the best things I've seen. He's music sends back to the wild, back to our nature's roots. What he does now is very strong and true. Very inspiring. He has become the mountain man. I hope he will stay away as far as possible from Pentatonix.
This is so fabulous. That drum heartbeat got me immediately. "We're singin' all day and you can't tame it." Is surely one of the best lyrics ever. And, obviously, the voice. Yum. If you haven't already, you might want to check out his duet with Peter Hollens - Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair. Simply gorgeous and the complete opposite of this.
'Uuuh' that was my reaction too to that last blue frame and had me thinking a loot hh. And oooh, right after this listen to "Otherside" (it came out right after "Change on the Rise") and soak in *that* contrast :))
It sounds very primeval.....to me...awesome video and song..
Невероятно глубокая песня с мощным исполнением . Wow that's nice.
If you want to listen to other great content, I recommend:
Home Free: "Man of Constant Sorrow" or "Ring of Fire feat. Avi Kaplan"
VoicePlay: "Oogie Boogie´s Song"
Pentatonix: "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "Sing along"
And Avi wrote some other great songs, but they are already recommended in the other comments ;)
Yes....yes yes yes. Commented the same before finding your comment xD
Yes yes yes. I thoroughly second both ring of fire and ooggie boogie
Your reactions are great. Thanks for the entertainment!
Lots of people say, if should be in a soundtrack. For me as a European it sounds nativ American. Most of Avi's songs touch body and soul.
Apparently it had been used in a tv show I think
Hi Lukas! Cheers from North Carolina. As someone from Denmark...did you feel a Viking vibe? Ha! I always do when I listen to this song. I expect to hear oars dipping into the water in time with the chant/beat.
Avi's voice creates its own echo chamber and is so amazing. Very happy you found Avi post-PTX. I came to this video after watching your reaction video for Home Free's Ring of Fire (ft Avi) and you said you had reviewed some of Avi's latest work. It's all good stuff. These a cappella singers have worked to fine tune their craft, and it shows.
Could def be a Viking song! :)
Avi has a whole EP out now and I don't think there is a bad song on it. Also, he did all the background vocals on this one. I think there is just some organ and drum accompaniment. Just thought you should know. Thanks for the reaction! Glad you enjoyed it!
Deb Houck's Crafty Cottage - he has two full eps out. This one, and Avi and the sequoias.
@@tanyanguyen3704 Yes, I know. I wasn't clear. :)
Deb Houck's Crafty Cottage - just didn’t want anyone to miss that amazing album! Sorry to nit pick
I second the request for his song Otherside, I love that song so much, it’s very different from this one but it’s beautiful and the video is gorgeous.
You need to react to Aha! Pentatonix live Singapore the star vista! You WON'T REGRET!
This is a new song to me too but I find I'm enjoying it more each time I hear it. I always enjoy your reactions and information which enhance my experience of the videos you react to.
Love this song and so happy Avi is doing well! I would highly recommend his original song It Knows Me as it also very moving and showcases his remarkable voice! As always very much enjoyed your reaction😀
I love this--reminds me of The Civil Wars. Spiritual, bluesy, a bit of melancholy but powerful.
Lyrics, music and ALL the vocals are Avi's!
This is one of my favorite Avi Kaplan songs ! Hope you look deeper into his music, looking forward to it!
I loved him in PTX, but his solo work is absolutely astonishing, and REALLY speaks to me on a much more personal level than the Pentatonix music. I've been explaining that I found a "kindred spirit" in Avi's solo stuff, which is a complete 180 degree turn from his PTX stuff. His music (almost all of his songs are originals) is very personal and I feel he NEEDED to get away from the PTX group dynamic in order to release this music from his soul. All three of his solo albums are mini-masterpieces. Don't get me wrong, I still love PTX and I think Matt has been a terrific addition to the group, and I am very much a Pentaholic. But Avi's solo work is just mesmerizing to me.
What they all do outside Pentatonix is very different. It’s fun to see and hear them under a different light. They are all so talented. Always a pleasure.
If you want new ideas, I suggest you watch the canadian band Walk off the Earth. They first got attention with their super original cover of Somebody that I Used to Know from Gotye (Pentatonix also has a great cover of the same song... lol). They do cover and originals. Their videos are very creative and entertaining. Another bunch of very talented people. It’s all good. Love your comments and reaction. 🤗
Check out Home Free's Ring of Fire featuring Avi Kaplan :) Two amazing Bass singer combining their might
Another group you may like is called "The Hu" it's not in English but their sound is like Mongolian throat music and thrashing Hard Rock together it's pretty awesome they're like 5 videos on TH-cam my favorite is wolf totem
Rattles your bones. Has a punch to it.
Great reaction I do hope there will be more you won’t be disappointed
I even turned the volume down for your reaction video and my desk is STILL vibrating! :)
Love this song; it’s my favorite of his! I’d also like to recommend Casey Breves & Sam Tsui, a married couple. They’ve done several songs together (and more separately) , but probably my favorite is their mashup of “Thinking Out Loud/You’re Not the Only One.” I’d be curious to hear your reaction to it.
This song kinda has the feel of the evangelical south like maybe Mississippi or Louisiana kinda feeling? Avi reminds me of a modern day John Denver. Folk music mostly, his visuals always very nature based, and the music I feel would fit well in any small southern, mountain or midwestern town. Does it hit you that way, too?
It definitely has the feeling of an old African American spiritual, that was my first thought when I heard it
@@amykennedy7451 Agreed.
Какой глубокий красивый голос , спасибо
Лукас.
Yes, he wrote it. Amazing.
Great comments by yourself your opinion of the footage based on your own skills it was great you saw that the video tried to follow the mood of the lyrics. Please can you do "Otherside" now. As other reviewers made this song the battle of his struggle to break free and the Otherside was the aftermath of that conflict. Thank you.
Primal.
This song should be the theme to song epic tv show or movie. Like vikings or something. I love it. It’s on my all-the-time playlist. :)
It seems that after the "Mitch slapped" we now have the "Avi moved". 🤣 Nobody, really nobody, can just sit still hearing this song. And indeed, his voice is so smooth, but also strong and powerful, it reaches your heart, your soul and your bones.
Several folks have requested “The Oogie Boogie Song” (for “A Nightmare before Christmas”) from VoicePlay. Their bass, Geoff Castellucci, has the lead. His range is enormous, and he’s a basso PROFUNDO, (the same as Avi Kaplan and Tim Foust of Home Free). The last note Castellucci sings was characterized by a vocal coach as one of the lowest she’d EVER heard. VoicePlay also competed on “The Sing-Off”. They lost to Home Free!
This is the first time i've heard this song myself, and i felt there was something very primal about it. If there weren't drums in it there was certainly the sound of drums. It's very much in the line of songs of protest, when the light songs haven't worked than the drums come out & it becomes more demanding. He may be the next Pete Seeger, Lord knows we could use Pete now. I read through the comments to learn more about his personal work and this song will make one of my "to listen to" lists for when i need strength.
Hi Lukas, loved your reaction, my first one. Please would you do a reaction on ptx (with Avi) Run to you and Full moon if you haven't already. Would be very interested to know your thoughts and feelings. Many thanks. Be safe. I must just add that when I first heard Change on the rise it just did things to me - it was soooo powerful and strong and I was just goosebumps from head to toe! WOW!!!
Bohemian Rhapsody is amazing.
It blows me away every time I see it
If you love his 'studio' offerings, you are going to flip over his acoustic renderings of these same songs!
Just his guitar and his voice.....
The man is a Bard in every sense of the word, including the 'magic' aspects.
Agree, and you really gotta hear him sing this live. There is nothing like standing 20 feet from him in front of the stage with a couple of hundred people in a small club and being able to see the emotions play across his face. And the whole room singing along with him, it is powerful!
Avi really kills this story of the Underground Railroad both visually and his soulful singing. Great job Avi!
I can see where he had to sing this song. He is Jewish and his Faith's history with the Holocaust, it feels so natural to tell the story of helping blacks escape in the dark of night for their freedom
This song is good but it feels the least like his new style to me out of everything he's recently created. His new EP is a gem!
Avi made four songs...this is the way I look at it...this is his first song of the four...what I'm getting out of it is that it is a "war" song...I wish I knew what the names of the other three are...my only suggestion is to look at the videos and go by the date of said video....I watched all four in the right order and it's like a story made of music....I thought it was the most amazing thing to watch and listen to....
The cinematography and sound are just screaming as an movie introduction to me. Great sound.
I really enjoy that you point stuff like that. Great reaction. Also I like that you scroll back after you give an opinion. Music, for me, is a story told in passion. Stopping it is like taking a break just before a climax.. it helps to remind the mind where it was being lead instead of just jumping back in. Just an opinion.