Pentatonix - Mad World - Musician's Reaction

[@packerkats7578]

My favorite part of this song is the Matt & Mitch harmonies. They sound killer together.

[@Mong_Seungmin_Mong_Yeosang]

Yessssss meeeee tooooo

[@janetranslates]

Oh yeah. We get a taste of that in "The 12 Days of Christmas," too. Don't know what it is but they sound fantastic. Part of it is the arrangement, maybe--the intervals of the harmony. Jacob Restituto, can you explain it?

[@fugosfork7907]

Loved it when they did it with Avi and Mitch, just amazing

[@olabergvall3154]

In the beginning, notice how Matt's harmonizing bass line sounds almost exactly like a cello?

[@brianneparker9896]

It's my understanding they did their parts for the video separately due to quarantine. Notice in the background they are walking backwards when they sing "mad world". Haunting song that really fit how we were all feeling at the time.

[@carrieb1781]

During the part where they're singing "hello teacher tell me what's my lesson" Kirstin"s image in the background is wearing a mask

[@JacobRestituto]

oh wow!

[@ellenhulslander2897]

I am always impressed with how they float seamlessly between singing lead to singing background. It is very prominent in this song. Love it!

[@Karen-Campos]

Great Reaction! Signature PTX! The wall of sound!! The intricate harmonies!! The silence break!! Mitch’s strong lower register! The way his gaze was piercing when he sang, “look right through me” had such depth as he has shared about bullying he’s endured. Feeling overlooked when you are hurting is painful, as many of us indeed experienced in 2020. Matt & Mitch brought spectacular harmonies the likes of which we’ve never heard so clearly before! Also I heard those beautiful bell tones.

[@callalily9842]

Another great reaction. Please react to their mash-up of Dua Lipa's "New Rules" x Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody." If you're familiar with Timbaland as a music producer you'll know that he comes up with some crazy beats. Kevin and Matt absolutely kill it on that track. You'll also love the harmonies and the bell tones.

[@deeptirajendran8492]

Yes! Its one of my favorites! Matt and Kevin kill it.

[@tinasmith7853]

Please react to Run To You I really think you will enjoy it. It is my favorite.

[@drieuxkoeppel8152]

I’m honestly surprised you didn’t know that this was a “Tears for Fears” original, that was first covered by Gary Jules for the independent film, “Donnie Darko”. That version was #1 on the charts. That cover was much slower and darker than the “Tears for Fears” original. It’s the Jules version that PTX is covering here! I LOVE the harmony with Matt and Mitch!

[@kayblondie8772]

The song is about a teen struggling with depression. It's actually very powerful.

[@JacobRestituto]

oh wow!!!

[@jeangoodwin1856]

I also did not realize how depressing and dark this song was. Great reaction once again.

[@dishmurphy5754]

Tears for Fears said this song wasn’t sad. Pentatonix had 2020 in mind when they released it

[@bingobillable]

This was one of several music videos they filmed and recorded separately in their homes an were marvelously edited in to the video we see her. COVID forced them to stay apart for much of the year.

[@louellamoyer5578]

Thank you for the reaction! When Kirstin sings and she is walking behind, in one shot she is wearing a mask. Don't know if you caught that, appropriate for the video and times!

[@vickiroman189]

Stark, lush, haunting, luminous.

[@larrywt656]

This song was so depressing that I only listened to the original version a couple of times, then hesitated when I realized PTX had done a cover. But I will say that I like this version much better than the original. Despite the sad lyrics, the PTX version seems to be sung with a slight hint of optimism and hopefulness not found in the original. I feel that this is an emotion that this group is really expert at expressing...even when all seems lost, there is still a glimmer of hope out there.

[@zoomlenz]

I appreciate your technical breakdown of the mix.

[@cherylhowe1541]

Thanks for another great reaction! Really enjoy what you have to say about my favorite group. What are you doing up this early? I'm a 70 yr old lady who doesn't sleep much.😊 Can't remember if you've done their original Run To You.

[@LeskeyC001]

I fully agree. I always have time for anyone who has something good to say about PTX!

[@bethvargas8841]

I'm 61. Same boat

[@LisaMT1218]

I'm 56 and am always excited when I find other Pentaholics that aren't 14 year old girls.

[@LeskeyC001]

@@LisaMT1218 Seems like there a many of us in that age range!

[@cherylhowe1541]

@@LisaMT1218 the only problem with the teenagers who love PTX is that they are so loud at their concerts I can't hear them very well. I had 2 $200 tickets to their last Nashville concert (the cost of a handicap ticket + one for my companion). I started watching their concerts and realized I wouldn't be able to hear very well so I sold the tickets. Everyone was singing along and screaming and talking during the performances.

[@susanpeterson9947]

Perfect cover for 2020...

[@vidsorama2]

Thanks for the reaction. I love this PTX cover.

[@marymichele340]

👏🏻👏🏻. Love that you point out things I had not noticed, or known.

[@philherman8633]

With all of their talents I wouldn’t be surprised at all to learn they are also spirit walkers.

[@joatkins9793]

Another great PTX cover. The best part for me is Mitch when he sings ‘Look Right Through Me’ the look on his face is commanding that you look at him and take notice. The original by Tears for Fears was more electronic pop, this is a cover of the Gary Jules version from the film Donny Darko

[@caitlynlacaille9392]

I love them for their harmonies 🔥❤️

[@denisehart7104]

This is an 80s hit, from Tears For Fears. They do a fabulous version, and the message still rings true. Gorgeous looks, fantastic voices and powerful song. Thank you !

[@georgesofield4596]

Great review loved the video!!!

[@mimiloveee9]

She jus had her baby 🧡🧡🧡

[@JacobRestituto]

soooo cool

[@r0kus]

This rendition is actually a cover of a cover. The 1982 original is by Tears for Fears, with the same lyrics, but to a fast and poppy melody. Then in 2001 the song was reimagined in the movie _Donnie Darko,_ to the slower, haunting melody most folks nowadays are familiar with. IMO the ghostly shadows in the background of this video were sort of a callback to that movie, with its theme of skewed reality.

[@caseystoran7435]

Matt and Mitch together are 😍😍

[@Korbin_Arts]

You mentioned Mitch's range and yeah, he's crazy. If you include whistle notes, he has just over a 6 octave range. I've heard the guy belt a G#5

[@kathyboda9884]

God bless you too. 😇

[@judydempsey3957]

Original sang by Tears for Fears.....

[@BMW12788]

Yeah this song is pretty depressing the original is pretty electronic sounding and ptx was able to do theirs by adding more vocal quality but you definitely pay more attention to the lyrics in the ptx version over the original. I think ptx did this within the past two years as a topical we live in a mad world kind of song

[@vidsorama2]

This was released September 2020 as a stand alone single. It was definitely a Mad World.

[@jasphrrr]

You should react to Mitch Grassi Vocal Range

[@emilyschriever9600]

you should listen to cimorelli

[@dennismitchell9500]

The visuals are similar to the movie Donny Darko.

[@TheHappyBrochacho]

I wonder what this would have sounded like if Avi was the bass.

[@JacobRestituto]

🤷🏻‍♂️

[@TheHappyBrochacho]

@@JacobRestituto 🤔

[@ALeafOnTheWind42]

This song honestly kind of disappointed me when I first heard it. Not because of anything negative about the song itself- it was extremely well made for what it was trying to be. I just had hopes/expectations that weren't met. I love both the Tears for Fears original and Gary Jules cover of this song. But it feels like the Gary Jules version became so prevalent as to be the dominant version and the Tears for Fears has kind of fallen to the wayside. Both versions express 2 very different emotions, and both of them are great. So I was really hoping for a cover which tried to combine those ideas. I was imagining something which started like the Gary Jules version - slow and somber, expressing sadness over the mad world. But then eventually it would pick up tempo, transitioning into the Tears for Fears ideas of expressing anger and confusion at the mad world. It felt like a perfectly Pentatonix thing to do it, and when it didn't happen, I was left a bit disappointed. It's still a great song for what it's trying to be though

[@r0kus]

I'm the opposite. I prefer the slower tempo of the Jules cover, which may be because that is the one I heard first.

[@ALeafOnTheWind42]

@@r0kus I heard Gary Jules version first as well. That said, I don't really prefer one over the other. I'm just sad that Tears for Fears seems to get forgotten

[@miriamdamato4770]

😍😍😍💪💪💙💙💙

[@jeniferrosenberger827]

Kevin is a percussive instrument. Lol

[@sotiroullageorgiou4640]

✌🖤❤

[@joecrandle4969]

Do these guys have any original songs or do they just do covers?

[@matthewaaronallen1598]

They have loads of originals!

[@joecrandle4969]

@@matthewaaronallen1598 whats a good one?

[@matthewaaronallen1598]

@@joecrandle4969 all of them! Haha I really like their new one "Happy Now"! Another one I love that's older is "Run to You." I recommend theirs entire self-titled album as well. Most of the songs on Pentatonix are originals

[@janetranslates]

Don't worry. Nobody really has the vocabulary to talk about a cappella music. Good save there, "voice is an instrument but . . .no stringed instruments or percussive instruments." This clarinetist feels that you should have included wind instruments but oops . . .the human voice is a wind instrument. Oh well--we know what you mean! And we don't know how to say it either.

[@janetranslates]

"Human-made instruments"? Nope, that doesn't work either.

[@Amelia-zu9fi]

Plz do born to be brave Olivia and derra hsmtmts

[@mikemath9508]

i prefer their faster paced feel goods. covers. this is good, I like it, but I cannot fucking listen to 30 hours of a sad song like i can a happy medley

[@JacobRestituto]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼