The Teacups
Album: Of Labour And Love
Label: Haystack
Tracks: 10
Website: http://www.theteacups.co.uk

The Teacups are the best vocal group I have ever heard. Period. I have been aware of several of their member's work for some time now and their last album is one I greatly enjoyed too. But their latest release, 'Of Labour and Love', is just on a whole new level.

Now that the group have had chance to iron out the kinks that always come with forming a new musical team they have really produce a diamond of an album with this. The first track, 'The Bellringing' absolutely blew me away. The way the group harmonised and made use of different vocal strengths to actually recreate the style of church bells in the song shows great talent and thought.

Vocal based groups are becoming rarer these days to and have The Teacups around to flourish is great to see. The group also uses different lead vocals on different tracks to each of these individuals a chance to shine equally. This sense of teamwork is something that really helps the whole album.

Each song is clear and distinctive from each other making for an album that stays fresh as you listen. There is also a good mix of well known songs that you can appreciate and mumble along too, but also some extremely catchy songs such as 'Sugar in the Hold', that you may find fresh and engaging.

Paul Rawcliffe