Amalgamates
The 'Mates are a group of quirky, awkward, crazy, fun-loving friends. We are more like a social group that happens to be made up of singers, and makes music together. Though we pride ourselves on our musical tradition and rich history, we are a pretty laid back group, trying not to take ourselves too seriously in these last years before we all hit the real world. We love singing with each other for our friends and family, but above all, we love singing with fellow collegiate a cappella groups. This camaraderie is unique to the tradition of collegiate a cappella, and we feel lucky to have had such amazing experiences meeting other groups that share our passion.
Albums
Teaser
2 Tracks
Released 2010
Teaser is a two song extended single featuring the Foo Fighter's "Let It Die" and Sara Bareilles's "Gravity". This album was originally given out as a free gift to all freshman that auditioned for the 2009-2010 Amalgamates. "Let It Die" has since seen critical acclaim as one of the few collegiate tracks selected to be on sing six: sunny side up . Most recently, "Let It Die" has been nominated for two CARAs in the categories of Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement and Best Mixed Collegiate Song. Teaser is produced by John Clark, Alex Green, and Alex Rodman.
| Track | Original Artist | Arranger(s) | Soloist(s) | Duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Let It Die | Foo Fighters | Lori Allen, Brie Bills | Eric Stahl | 4:10 |  |
| 2. | Gravity | Sara Bareilles | Jill Gruber, Lori Allen, Alex Green | Gabbi Levy | 3:53 | |
Prime
13 Tracks
Released 2008
Since the founding of The Amalgamates in 1984, the mates have put out an album in an effort to capture and culminate the past two years of hard work and fun. We like to think of our albums as "yearbooks," not only reminding us of the popular music at the time, but also of memories and sentiments associated with particular songs. The Mates just released our 11th album, PRIME. This album is an eclectic mix of music ranging from Foo Fighters, to Radiohead, to Pat Benetar. We have been known to be a group with a warm, natural sound and this album, though high in energy, was recommended as one for the purists.
| Track | Original Artist | Arranger(s) | Soloist(s) | Duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | A Wolf Among Lilacs | Medicated Kisses | Alex Green, Gabbi Levy, Lori Allen | Lori Allen, Gabbi Levy, Alex Rodman | 3:28 | |
| 2. | The Walk | Imogen Heap | Evan Barnathan | Julie Gafney | 5:04 | |
| 3. | Almost Honest | Josh Kelley | Alex Green | Justin Fan | 3:21 | |
| 4. | The Pretender | Foo Fighters | Lori Allen, Evan Barnathan | Evan Barnathan | 4:26 | |
| 5. | Mercy On Me | Christina Aguilera | Evan Barnathan | Alex Rodman, Gabbi Levy, Lori Allen | 4:29 | |
| 6. | Paperweight | Joshua Radin, Schuyler Fisk | Evan Barnathan, Lori Allen | Julie Gafney, Garret McKay | 3:46 | |
| 7. | Anna Molly | Incubus | Alex Green, Evan Barnathan | Alex Green | 3:43 | |
| 8. | Uninvited | Alanis Morisette | Evan Barnathan, Eric Stahl | Miriam Wertlieb, Alex Rodman | 4:44 | |
| 9. | You Know My Name | Chris Cornell | Eric Stahl | Eric Stahl | 3:56 | |
| 10. | Let Down | Radiohead | Evan Barnathan | Alex Green, Evan Barnathan | 4:49 | |
| 11. | Suddenly I See | KT Tunstall | Evan Barnathan, Ian Greaves | Sarah Kupper, Lori Allen | 3:15 | |
| 12. | Heartbreaker | Pat Benatar | Matt Reveley | Erin Bergin, Lori Allen, Alex Rodman, Evan Barnathan | 3:14 | |
| 13. | The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades is Out to Get Us! | Sufjan Stevens | Evan Barnathan | Jason Edes, Eric Stahl, Lori Allen | 4:49 | |
Baggage Claim
14 Tracks
Released 2006
Lauded as an album that demonstrates the Amalgamates "best blend in the business," Baggage Claim is the 10th studio release from the Tufts Amalgamates. Recorded entirely by alumnus Niel Francisco in Allston, the album takes a decidedly natural bend, allowing the Mates' soloists and layered arrangements to take the spotlight. The penultimate track, "Good Luck," was selected for the BOCA 2007 compilation, and "Warning Sign" was nominated for Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement in the 2006 CARA competition.
| Track | Original Artist | Arranger(s) | Soloist(s) | Duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Zombie | The Cranberries | Evan Barnathan | Erin Bergin | 5:00 | |
| 2. | Pain | Jimmy Eat World | Matt Reveley | Evan Barnathan | 2:40 | |
| 3. | Worn Me Down | Rachel Yamagata | Matt Reveley | Mollie Wertlieb | 3:39 | |
| 4. | Good Enough | Sarah McLachlan | Matt Reveley | Becca Fagen | 3:13 | |
| 5. | Stellar | Incubus | Ian Greaves, Evan Barnathan | Garret McKay | 3:12 | |
| 6. | Because | The Beatles | Dave Edelgalss | Evan Barnathan, Erin Bergin, Anna Vodicka | 2:22 | |
| 7. | White Wedding | Billy Idol | Matt Reveley | Ian Greaves | 3:29 | |
| 8. | Gone | Kelly Clarkson | Evan Barnathan, Matt Reveley | Julie Gafney | 3:27 | |
| 9. | Warning Sign | Coldplay | Eric Stahl, Evan Barnathan | Evan Barnathan | 5:36 | |
| 10. | A Praise Chorus | Jimmy Eat World | Eric Tjonahen | Dave Edelglass | 3:59 | |
| 11. | I Wish | Stevie Wonder | Matt Reveley | Becca Fagen | 4:00 | |
| 12. | Something's Always Wrong | Toad The Wet Sprocket | Ian Greaves, Matt Reveley | Matt Reveley | 4:36 | |
| 13. | Good Luck | Basement Jaxx | Matt Reveley, Liz Macari, Tom Baran | Erin Bergin | 3:54 | |
| 14. | A Poem For Byzantium | Delerium | Matt Reveley | Anna Vodicka | 5:29 | |
Stopping For Breakfast
12 Tracks
Released 2004
Stopping For Breakfast marks the Amalgamates's 9th studio album, recorded and mixed in 2004 entirely by then-group-member Tom Baran using nothing but a home-built microphone. The album was selected as one of the RARB Picks of '05 and was nominated for Best Mixed Collegiate Album in the 2004 CARA competition. "Everlong" was featured on the BOCA 2005 Compilation, and nominated for a CARA for Best Mixed Collegiate Song.
| Track | Original Artist | Arranger(s) | Soloist(s) | Duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Everlong | Foo Fighters | Colin Simson, Adam Pulver | Colin Simson | 3:57 | |
| 2. | Are You Happy Now | Michelle Branch | Tom Baran | Liz Macari | 3:35 | |
| 3. | Drive | The Cars | Tom Baran, Morgan Ford | Josh Benham | 3:51 | |
| 4. | Circle | Sarah McLachlan | Tom Baran | Maggie Beiser | 3:43 | |
| 5. | September | Earth, Wind & Fire | Tom Baran | Mollie Wertlieb | 3:29 | |
| 6. | Karma Police | Radiohead | Tom Baran | Peter Coombs | 4:04 | |
| 7. | Rhiannon | Fleetwood Mac | Tom Baran | Anna Vodicka | 3:49 | |
| 8. | Bigger Than My Body | John Mayer | Eric Tjonahen | Tom Baran | 4:19 | |
| 9. | Dreams | The Cranberries | Lisa Jacobs | Morgan Ford (Yodel: Tom Baran) | 4:34 | |
| 10. | Black Hole Sun | Soundgarden | Tom Baran | Matt Reveley | 4:47 | |
| 11. | One Day In Your Life | Anastacia | Eric Tjonahen | Lisa Jacobs | 2:48 | |
| 12. | So Are You To Me | eastmountainsouth | Tom Baran, Becca Fagen | Nathalie Wade | 2:08 | |
Bamboo
13 Tracks
Released 2002
During a trip to Jamaica over Spring Break in 2002, the Mates decided to give in to their urges and let some of their R&B and hip hop influences out. Bamboo is the result, and the Mates open the album with the soulful "Killing Me Softly," which was selected for BOCA 2003, and was nominated for both Best Mixed Collegiate Song and won Runner-Up for Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist (Becky Rubin) in the 2003 CARA competition.
| Track | Original Artist | Arranger(s) | Soloist(s) | Duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Killing Me Softly | The Fugees | Alexis Booth, Becky Rubin | Becky Rubin | 4:21 | |
| 2. | Crazy Love | Van Morrison | Charlotte Youngblood | Brian Quirke, Lisa Jacobs, Rachel Friendly | 2:49 | |
| 3. | Summertime | DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince | Eric Tjonahen | Nathan Perlis, Josh Benham, Eric Tjonahen | 3:55 | |
| 4. | Why | Annie Lennox | Lisa Jacobs | Nathalie Wade | 4:56 | |
| 5. | She Runs Away | Duncan Shiek | Eric Tjonahen | Josh Benham | 3:42 | |
| 6. | Get Gone | Fiona Apple | Lisa Jacobs | Jess Sutton | 4:10 | |
| 7. | Faded | Soul Decision | Eric Tjonahen | Eric Tjonahen | 3:09 | |
| 8. | I Wanna Be With You | Mandy Moore | Maggie Beiser | 4:14 | |
|
| 9. | Don't Dream It's Over | Crowded House | Tom Baran, Colin Simson, Lisa Jacobs | Adam Pulver | 3:53 | |
| 10. | Thank You | Boyz II Men | Lisa Jacobs | Becky Rubin, Lisa Jacobs | 3:38 | |
| 11. | My Stupid Mouth | John Mayer | Eric Tjonahen | Nate Perlis | 3:44 | |
| 12. | 3 Libras | A Perfect Circle | Eric Tjonahen | Colin Simson | 3:35 | |
| 13. | Angel | Grey Eye Glances | Eric Tjonahen, Courtney Simson | Lisa Jacobs | 5:02 | |
Juice
12 Tracks
Released 2000
Regarded as one of the Mates's breakout albums, Juice marked a giant step forward in the Mates's recorded music. Recorded and mixed by musician-producer-extraordinaire and Mates alumnus John Clark, Juice features some of the best-known tracks by the Mates. The album won the 2001 CARA for Best Mixed collegiate album, and "I'm Your Baby Tonight" was selected for BOCA 2001 and won CARAs for Best Mixed Collegiate Song and Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist (Becky Rubin). Also featuring more quirky tracks like "Poison," the album is a must-have for any a cappella enthusiast, and is cited by many a listener as one of the only "older" a cappella albums that still stacks up to its modern competition.
| Track | Original Artist | Arranger(s) | Soloist(s) | Duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | I'm Your Baby Tonight | Whitney Houston | Niel Francisco | Becky Rubin | 3:39 | |
| 2. | Fly From Heaven | Toad The Wet Sprocket | Eric Tjonahen, Rachel Friendly | Colin Simson | 4:18 | |
| 3. | I Believe In Love | Paula Cole Band | Larry Kwon | Courtney Simson | 5:06 | |
| 4. | Love Will Keep Us Alive | The Eagles | Brian Quirk, Kevin Truong | Mike Neary | 4:04 | |
| 5. | Ladyfingers | Luscious Jackson | John Clark | Emily Haus | 3:28 | |
| 6. | Don't Cry | Seal | John Clark | Kevin Truong | 6:00 | |
| 7. | Hot Stuff | Donna Summer | John Clark | Jocelyn Kaley | 2:57 | |
| 8. | Waiting In Vain | Annie Lennox | Niel Francisco | Rachel Friendly | 4:12 | |
| 9. | Poison | Alice Cooper | Larry Kwon | Niel Francisco | 4:09 | |
| 10. | Adia | Sarah McLachlan | Larry Kwon | Alexis Booth | 4:02 | |
| 11. | Mysterious Ways | U2 | Larry Kwon | Larry Kwon | 3:35 | |
| 12. | Silence | Delerium | Niel Francisco | Charlotte Youngblood | 4:34 | |
Grandma's Camper
12 Tracks
Released 1998
Transportation and housing are perennial dilemmas for touring a cappella groups. In 1997, the Amalgamates came up with an ingenious solution to both problems, and borrowed one of their grandmother's trailers for their winter tour up and down the east coast. A follow-up to the Mates' award-winning Hat Sale, Get Mama! (1996), Grandma's Camper solidified the Amalgamates as a force to be reckoned with in the collegiate a cappella scene. The album has garnered solid reviews, a BOCA 1999 selection ("I Don't Want To Wait"), and 1999 CARA nominations for Best Mixed Collegiate Album and Best Mixed Collegiate Solo (Courtney Simson)
| Track | Original Artist | Duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Where The Streets Have No Name | U2 | 5:35 | |
| 2. | I Don't Want To Wait | Paula Cole | 5:15 | |
| 3. | Just Like Heaven | The Cure | 3:08 | |
| 4. | 32 Flavors | Ani DiFranco | 4:59 | |
| 5. | If You Could Only See | Tonic | 4:00 | |
| 6. | Spiderwebs | No Doubt | 3:58 | |
| 7. | Mad About You | Sting | 3:53 | |
| 8. | How Are Ya' Fixed For Love | Frank Sinatra | 2:28 | |
| 9. | Finally | C.C. Peniston | 3:26 | |
| 10. | True Colors | Cyndi Lauper | 3:48 | |
| 11. | All Mixed Up | 311 | 3:08 | |
| 12. | I'd Die Without You | PM Dawn | 9:34 | |
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Awards
- Presence at BOCA 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007
- Teaser
- 2010 CARA nominee for Best Mixed Collegiate Song
- 2010 CARA nominee for Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement
- 2009 Sing Six selection: Let It Die
- Prime
- 2009 CARA: one the top twelve co-ed albums in the nation
- 2009 Voices Only selection: The Pretender
- RARB Score of 4.5 out of 5! http://www.rarb.org/reviews/912.html
- Baggage Claim
- 2007 BOCA selection: Good Luck
- 2007 CARA nom Best Arrangement: Warning Sign
- 2007 CARA nom Best Mixed Album
- Stopping for Breakfast
- 2005 BOCA selection: Everlong
- 2005 CARA nominee for Best Mixed Collegiate Album
- 2005 CARA nominee for Best Mixed Collegiate Song: Everlong
- WERS 88.9 FM Album of the Month for March '05.
- RARB score of 4.7 out of 5!
- Bamboo
- 2003 BOCA selection: Killing Me Softly
- 2003 CARA Runner-up for Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist: Becky Rubin - Killing Me Softly
- 2003 CARA nominee for Best Mixed Collegiate Song: Killing Me Softly
- RARB score of 4.7 out of 5!
- Juice
- 2001 BOCA selection: I'm Your Baby Tonight
- 2001 CARA Winner for Best Mixed Collegiate Album
- 2001 CARA Winner for Best Mixed Collegiate Song: I'm Your Baby Tonight
- 2001 CARA Winner for Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist: Becky Rubin - I'm Your Baby Tonight
- RARB perfect score of 5 out of 5!
- Grandma's Camper
- 1999 BOCA selection: I Don't Want to Wait
- 1999 CARA nominee for Best Mixed Collegiate Album
- 1999 CARA nominee for Best Mixed Collegiate Soloist: Courtney Simson - I Don't Want to Wait
- Hat Sale Get Mama!
- 1997 BOCA selection: Man in the Mirror
- 1997 CARA Runner-up for Best Mixed Collegiate Album
- 1997 CARA Winner for Best Mixed Collegiate Song: Man in the Mirror
