I'll confess my bias up front: I am a professional a cappella singer. I LOVE a cappella as an art form; it can be absolutely magical. I was excited to see an a cappella group on the list of contestants. It's about time that modern, beat-box driven a cappella be given some air time on national TV. But when I finally caught these guys in the semi finals, was so VERY disappointed.

My gripes specifically:
Their intonation was awful (Brandy should have caught that)
The beat box was below average
Their arrangement was boring
They had no bass to anchor their sound
Enthusiastic as they may be, there was no one good soloist among them.

Some die hard a cappella fans (and there are a lot of them out there) are probably just happy to see ANY a capella group on AGT. At Last was mediocre at best; I was tearing my hear out watching them. I've heard college groups that could kick their butts.

Maybe the judges were so blind to their musical shortcomings b/c they were impressed by the feat that IS a cappella singing (one of the very hardest things to do as a singer, belive me.). Were they so taken with them because so few people have really SEEN modern (non-doo-wop) a cappella by an outstanding group like Rockapella, the House Jacks, etc. A cappella does remain in the underground of the mainstream music scene, after all. It's a very fringe-y art form.

Why, oh why couldn't we get a decent a cappella group up there to show the country what it's really all about?

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Oh my word...not to be mean, but the regulars here know that I think At Last is mediocre at best...
You said HOUSEJACKS! Yes! When I first heard At Last, I was like...sheesh these guys are trying to rip off the Housejacks version of "Ain't No Sunshine"...
I know if they had heard AT LAST's performance, the boys would just be smiling and nodding like the nice guys that they are. But, ya...

BTW- Have you heard Andrew and Austin's solo stuff? Apples and Oranges, but equally amazing!

oh my goodness...I was listing all these great acapella groups somewhere else that are so much better and I completely forgot about House Jacks....sorry Austin and Wes (now that's a vocal percussionist). Yeah, I'm an acapella fan, but not a performer, and was excited to hear that America was going to see what hundreds of thousands of fans do of this popular form. But was so disappointed.

If you like a mediocre a capella group like at last, check out House Jacks, Naturally 7, Chapter 6, Ball in the House, Marcoux Corner, Four Shadow, Duwende, M-Pact, Impulse, Five O'Clock Shadow (though they broke up), Cadence, Kinsey Sicks, Measure x Measure. And I agree several college student acts like the one at Penn State.... Seriously, I have no agenda other than being an acapella fan, but all of these acts are better.

I heard that Chapter 6 was offered a spot on the show or something, but turned it down when they saw the contract.

^ Got any clips of the above-mentioned groups so I can watch for comparison? I enjoyed At Last's first performance but their semi-final performance was mediocre at best. They definitely need a better beat-boxer and a stronger bass anchor.

maybe u should have been on the show with ur bad self...or did u not make the cut? hmmmm, sensing a bit of jealousy here...LoL...bottom line, At Last is in the finals and getting the exposure they well deserve...even if they don't win the whole thing, they're gonna make their paper....go 'head boys, keep doin ur thing...its workin'

What you acapella purists seem to overlook, (which is why acapella is not mainstream) is that there needs to be more to a vocal performance than 4 guys standing still singing. That is what AT LAST brings. They have the crowds on their feet and dancing. That is why most of the top singers that dance, lip sync. AT LAST is singing live and moving around, so their vocals won't be as strong as a bunch of guys just standing right next to each other so they can hear each other clearly. But they have that X factor, which happens to be energy, chemistry, and excitement. Obviously lots of people like them, because they got the viewer vote. And you experts should also have noticed that the sound being broadcast is horrible. The TV sound wasn't even on for their encore. It was just the sound being picked up by the theater microphones. Also for you acapella lovers, believe it or not, they beat House Jacks head to head on a similar show.

Several have sonicbids accounts, which is the easiest way to view videos since it's always in the same spot and load fast (no searching the acts websites that are all organized differently)
www.sonicbids.com/naturallyseven
www.sonicbids.com/chapter6
www.sonicbids.com/duwende
www.sonicbids.com/m-pact
www.sonicbids.com/ballinthehouse
for starters....I didn't hunt for others, but I'm sure websites are out there for House Jacks, Impulse, Measure X Measure. Cadence, Kinsey Sicks, Marcoux Corner

There were better acapella groups at my college.

I just checked out the first 3 videos you listed....yeah, all way better than At Last

I'd be curious to know which show it was where At Last beat the HOUSEJACKS...seriously, have you really seen them, because they aren't standing still like you describe...and BTW that At Last version of Ain't No Sunshine has been done before...1993...The Housejacks...I heard it myself.

I liked N versity better

You just judged them based on what you saw in semi-final. I myself, was quite disappointed. Their tone was a bit off. But have you watched their first performance? That one just blew me away. Watch and hear their first performance before judging them.

I judge oranges when they eat jellyfish

Vote should have been the other way around....never watching this stupid show again. I could barely watch it happen. America is so predictable. One Roy Orbison song and you all sway your votes! Pathectic!! And SO WRONG!!!!!!

I disagree.

The ventriloquist had really unique talent and was very diverse.

America has enough male country singers.

Terry Fator was awesome and you are ridiculous.

Get over it, and quick!! We will all be hearing from Cas again!!! Cas did not lose at all, this is the best exposure he could have asked for, Ask Jennifer Hudson from Americal Idol!!!!! She now owns an Oscar!!!!!!!!!!

Wait... I thought it was butterscotch that was robbed? Or did I miss the memo?

I'm sorry but at least Terry's talent is unique.

Cass (in my opinion) has marginal talent. And enough already with country music. There are enough country singers out there as is.

NO he wasn't

Butterscotch was my favorite, but I felt that Terry would win because what he does is amazing too. I felt the top 3 should have been Terry, Butterscotch and Julienne in that order...they are all more talented than Cass, he belongs in a bar singing somewhere, he is not anymore outstanding than any of the other million wannebe country/oldie singers. There was nothing unique about him, where Terry, Butterscotch and julienne all had something unique about them.

You love Cass so much go find the next lounge he is working in and tip him. The other 3 will be moving on to great careers!!

Um, I don't know what show you were watching, but Cas is not a country singer.

You Moron Cas doesnt even sing country!

I completely agree, it should have been Cas. Let's hope someone grows a brain now and signs that boy to a record deal.

Terry Fator was good ... I'll give you that, but Cas Haley was much better. I would go pay to see Cas anytime but to go watch some man with his hand up a dolls behind? I think Cas has more talent than Terry. And Julianne was very good and in my opinion even better than Terry.

Totally agree that Cas was robbed of this. He has alot of talent. I never watched this show until i saw him, The man is unreal. So humble so deserving of the million. The best talent i have herd in years. I hope he goes on to do great things and shows all of you all who dont believe in him,,, what he can rerally be

well it may not be country, but he is still marginally talented.......i didn't see all of his performances because he bored me...i would listen to the beginning and get up and do something while he sang....so country, blues, modern pop....it doesn't matter he would be a great LOUNGE artist, but not someone that would sell millions of records....he doesn't even have the appearance to drive one of the largest markets...the tween and teen girls......

so grab a drink and a cigarette and sit back and enjoy cass when he comes to a night club or lounge near you....

IM WITHYA IM NEVER WATCHING TJHIS SHOW AGAIN CAS HALEY HAS MORE TALENT IN HIS LIL FINGER THAN ALL THE OTHER ACTS PUT TOGETHER ...GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT MOST OF AMERICA IS TONE DEF ...TERRY WAS A GOOD ACT FOR WHAT HE DOES THE BEST IVE EVER SEEN ....BUT IT WAS NOT WORTH THE MILLION $$$$....CAS WAS ROBBED AND NBC LOST A VIEWER....ANY JUDGES THAT THINK BOY SHAKIRA AND THAT INDIAN DANCER HAD TALENT SHOULD BE ....BE FIRED .....VERY DISSAPPOINTED .....AND IM DONE

Thank you! Reggae is NOT country...and Cas Haley is NOT merely a singer. He's also a musician and songwriter. He's not just standing up there with a mic...AND I WILL NOT GET OVER IT!!!

This Show Blows , The only reason to watch was cas haley, What a waste of precious hours of our life.

I think they rigged it like they rigged Last Comic Standing

Well I dont know if he will sell millions of records, but I already bought an album from his band woodbelly, And If you didnt even watch him how could you be any judge of how talented he is?

First of all Its REGGAE, and yes Butterscotch was amazing, the top two should have been Butter and Cas, with either one winning, Cas is amazing Live with his band. And Butterscotch has a great future, the down side is America in its infinite stupidity has given the prize two the last of the four finalists who should have won. America has no taste. We as a nation prove it over and over again in our support for our troops pur President and each other.

I think that it was a really close race between the two of them, and Terry won because his talent is more unique (and HARD. How the **** does he DO that?!?!) But I think we are going to hear from BOTH of them for a long time.

i watched enough of him to know he bored me......i don't care for ventiliquist, but even i have to admit the way terry sang and manage to work his puppet were pretty incredible...

and congrats on the woodbelly purchase..........i am not saying he was horrible...just not talented enough to be america's top talent, nor talented enough to cross over to people of all ages and ethinicities.....even my 58 yr old mother and 64 yr old father (both white and avid country, blues and oldies lovers) were AMAZED by Butterscotch.....Butterscotch is by far more talented than Cass.

so pop in your woodbelly CD and enjoy!!!!

p.s. if he already has a CD out, well wouldn't that classify him as a professional???? So he should have been able to wipe the floor with all his competition..hmpfff....MAYBE he needs a band backing him up to make it big??

I think the top four all deserved to be there. I will be honest and say I was voting for Cas, but you can not deny the fact that Terry was also a very talented man. I am sure that all four will have deals before long, and I hope they all do well. Never say never to watching the show next year.

So lets see...tone deaf...yes I believe so!

Its fine if you don't prefer that type of music, but for someone who thinks he is singing country your opinion doesn't really hold weight. Cas is talented and genuine. He has sang in a bar but so have countless other singers who have sold millions of records. I've bought the Woodbelly CD and in "MY OPINION" Cas has talent.

I think Terry did well and I am glad that at least one of my top two favorites won, but I would have liked to seen Cas get the million dollars. Then again with the exposure Cas has received I have no doubt he will be signing a record contract in the near future, so maybe winning isn't everything. Rock on CAS!!!!!!!

Julienne was not better than Cass. She has pitch problems and issues holding her notes. She is very talented, yes, but not ready to beat a bunch of adults in a talent competition

ok so i can see where your coming from...obviously from your post and another person's, with a band Cass is really, really good. I might just have to listen to woodbelly and see for myself....like i said, i didn't feel he was horrible, he just didn't stand out as having something unique.

Actually i did list a couple of diff styles of music, so Cass reminds me of a country singer that has crossed over....and he does do a good job with reggae.....but once again it looks like for him to really stand out he needs his band....maybe he should have brought the whole band and let them all try for it!!!!

Good Luck and Best Wishes to him, it seems like he was genuine about the love he has for his child!!!!!

Oh and I do listen and like ALL types of music......I never stick to just one style, that is what a true lover of music does....enjoy all types!!!!

I'm totally with you on this one. Cas' lips moved moved only marginally more than Terry's...except his voice was amazing and totally unique. I can't believe that I sat through that, including being punished by 'the Hof' singing!!!! That should have been the point when I turned the TV off...glutton for punishment I guess. The only person on that show that had real talent was Cas.

Anyone who says Cas is not talented is a clear idiot. The fact is the guy is and was the best thing on the show. How many people are really going to care about singing puppets in a year. The answer is a big fat zero. Cas was robbed and I cant wait to see him live when he is scooped up and starts to tour!!

Those of you who don't believe Terry has talent, try to immitate a famous singer AND do the vent. part as well.....

Cas is good, but all he does is sing....

You are entitled to your opinion of this program and who won and lost. I respect that right. I may disagree, but I'm free to do that.

I also respect your right to voice your opinion of the President. What I find patently offensive is your utter lack of respect for our troops.

I'm not a flag-waving patriot, but an ordinary citizen who votes in elections, gets involved in an occasional political discussion where both sides are fairly represented and read the newspaper. Might I suggest that if you find the results of this one insignificant "talent contest" to be anything other than entertainment you drive quickly, but safely, to the nearest mental health clinic and allow them to read your post - they'll take it from there.

Terry will end up with a longstanding contract in Vegas, and that is what his dream was! Now Butterscotch was my favorite, but I can see where Terri's talent is unique and different such as hers.

What was unique about Cass, hmmmm......a white guy singing reggae? NOT it's been done before, and it doesn't make him unique. Yes he did it well...but so do many others across the US!!!! Not many ppl can sing classics and beatbox at the same time, and actually make it sound good.....and terry, well i don't know how many good ventriliquist are out there, but terry impressed me with how good the songs came out of the puppet's mouths.....

when it comes down to it America voted and that is how it goes....actually all of the top 4 were talented.....As far as the singers go, the real test will be who sells the most albums in the future!!!!!!

Cas is likable, but he's mediocre. You just say that because your favorite lost. Terry Fator DESERVED to win, like it or not. You wanna know who really got robbed? Doug Benson on LCS. That Ralph whatshisname sucks.

yeah one more point....bash bush all you want....i would probably agree with you....but don't HATE on the troops....it is because of men and women like them that IDIOTS like you have a right to say what you want.....so yeah HATE on BUSH all you want, but at least don't disrespect the very people that fight for YOUR FREEDOM...you MORON

Well done to both Terry and Cas. They both deserved to win and one did. Congratz to them as it was there competition to lose from way back and they didnt crack under the pressure. Best talents in the competition by far. The two girls were OK at best and thus didnt deserve it. Both men will have amazing careers because of this and they both deserve it. You people voted for who you wanted to win and you got them far enuff to ensure youll see them again after the show. Gratz Terry

What I find interesting is almost every Cas fan is posting on the boards, insulting other posters, or other contestants cuz the only person with real talent was Cas. I'd like to point out the intelligence level of those people show right there it's not too high.

One thing I'd like to remind everyone is this show is judged on the most UNIQUE and most talented act in America. Even the judges say every year they want to see the winner be an act they have never seen before that is so incredible and unique that it blows peoples socks off. Well thats what happened, Terry Fader was extremely unique, no ventriliquist can impersonate other singers sounding just like that singer with their mouth closed. I mean not many professional singers can impersonate other singers that well, let alone a ventriliquist. So all you Cas fans that are confused or mad he won, that's why, ding ding ding, did a little light go on in your head just now and go wow I get it now?!

I am a huge butterscotch fan, and no i'm not insulting Terry or anybody else that she didn't win, she is going to go big I know this. Cas had no right being in the final 2 tonight. Shoulda been Butterscotch and Terry, they were the most Unique and talented outta the four. Honestly I think the tumblers and glamazons shoulda been in the finals, those 2 singers had no business being there. This show is all about unique, incredible talent you can see nowhere else. Well there are a billion Cas's out there, and julienne erwins. Honestly this is a competition not vote for me cuz I'm poor and get on TV and sing with my guitar for my wife and kid, and have that be my ploy to get more votes out of the viewers.

Terry Fader was the deserving victor, if you don't like that, well too bad go watch Nashville Star or American Idol if you want to see people win that sing other peoples songs and can't write their own. If you can't appreciate, true, unique, raw talent then you shouldn't have watched all season long, the show didnt' waste your time, you did that all on your own.

AMEN!!!!

You put into words all the thoughts that have been running around in my head!!! You said it BEST OF ALL!!!!

What a great post...I agree 100%. This show is for unique talents. American Idol is where the singers should be, in my opinion. I enjoyed seeing the different and even weird talents people had, or thought they had.

Terry has a real talent in his genre. The others did as well to get as far as they did.

Why can't everyone just get over themselves....it is a TV show....move on with your life. (or lack of one)