Pentatonix, Mad World: My Honest Thoughts!

[@larrywt656]

This was released in the middle of the pandemic and all the civil unrest of 2020. They had to record their individual parts at home, so they weren't able to hear each other during recording. And they shot all their parts of the video separately as well. Their producer Ben Bram and sound engineer Ed Boyer had to edit all the separate parts of the recording together in the studio. They also recorded their entire 2020 At Home EP this way, which is why I feel a certain affinity to these recordings just because of the difficulty behind the scenes of getting these songs recorded. This version of Mad World was only available on this video and the accompanying single. It has never been released on any of their albums.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Oh wow, I didn't know that! That's a shame it was never released to any of their albums.

[@davidbangtson3109]

They elevated this song so far above the original that it is barely recognizable as that original. THIS is unforgettable. Your comments just superb as always.

[@Cath1027]

Considering it’s about anxiety and depression they portray it very well. It’s a beautiful version of this song. This to me is not a cover it’s an upgrade

[@ishort0967]

Anytime Kevin is free for harmonies it adds so much richness…I’m surprised you didn’t comment on the figure movement in the background…running in circles…AND Matt and Mitch harmonizing is such a rarity…but needed more!

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

I honestly didn't notice or think about the figure movement in the background of this music video. But it adds a nice touch to the reflective tone PTX was creating visually!

[@beverlykrebs4372]

Oh, I meant to mention the Matt & Mitch duet in my comment too! I think it was the 1st time I'd ever heard them (just them) sing together. And they absolutely need to be featured together more often! A "Mattch" made in Heaven!! 😉

[@jeffg9203]

Matt and Mitch are called MATCH. For their harmonizing...

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

HAA! Love that name!

[@danielcarter837]

One of the two perfect songs they released in 2020. The other one was Thank You also by them.

[@Karen-Campos]

Great reaction! Signature PTX! The wall of sound!! The intricate harmonies!! Plus KEVIN! The silence break!! The surprises!! Mitch’s strong lower register! Loved it!

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Glad you enjoyed the reaction! It was an incredible arrangement!

[@klayers1555]

This is such a haunting work and the staging and lighting emphasize the serious, downbeat atmosphere here. I especially like the ghostly images that are superimposed behind their solos that carry on that them. Of course, they are also masterful at using their facial expressions to reinforcing the theme. To your point, I wholly agree that the production engineer deserves no small credit but hearing them live in concert also shows the amount of brilliance and polish they bring to their performance. Kudos to the whole team: wardrobe, makeup, set design and anyone else I have unintentionally excluded - they are exceptional artists backed by an amazing team that create a sort of magic. Thanks, Jeffrey!

[@billyboy4774]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? NO ONE COULD THINK THAT WAS "CRAP". IT WAS MASTERFUL, BEAUTIFUL, PERFECT, AMAZING. PTX IS THE BEST. YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND TO HATE THAT RENDITION. THANK YOU JEFF FOR REACTING TO THIS ONE. LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MORE PTX REACTIONS. BILL

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

I don't know if I would slam someone else's opinion of this song too hard like that. Glad you enjoyed the reaction Bill!

[@billyboy4774]

@@JeffreyHackReacts I KNOW YOU WOULDN'T, BUT I AM NOT AS RESERVED AS YOU ARE. HA HA

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Haha fair enough! 😂

[@tamiw.166]

Everything PTX does is perfection, but even more so than their "power" arrangements, I love the ones like this - showing off their pure and complex harmonies and vocal control. Thanks for another great reaction.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Yeah, they offer something really special with this one. Happy you enjoyed the video 😁

[@beverlykrebs4372]

They are not only the most talented vocal group in the world (I'm partial!) but genius arrangers as well. Thanks for your excellent reaction. It was already one of my fav songs, from both the original artists Tears for Fears & then Gary Jules, who do fantastic arrangements. But f course Ptx has made it better!! As usual!! 😉

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

PTX just brings their own unique style that resonates with us. They are genius arrangers!

[@celiachristman104]

I agree with you. So many facets made this a good video, as you pointed out. And the Sound Engineer and Mixer, as you said, Kudos to them. I hope you react to their AGT performance of "The Prayer" with one of the young contestants and their first release from their new album coming out at the end of the month, Stevie Wonder's, "I Just Called to Say I Love You."

[@joanbaillie9925]

Love your reactions. Gives me a better understanding of the music. Please figure in a review of PTX cover of Gold.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

I appreciate you Joan! Will be adding that song to the list of PTX reactions to cover :) I'm glad you're learning something new about music from these videos!

[@curtpoppenhouse2621]

I have always found that one of the best features of Pentatonix is they know how to get out of the way to allow the soloist to be showcased properly

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Very true!!

[@carrieb1781]

When they are singing "Hello teacher tell me what's my lesson" Kirstin"s image in the background is wearing a mask

[@vickiroman189]

Stark, lush, haunting, luminous.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

😄😄

[@vidsorama2]

I enjoyed your reaction to this awesome Pentatonix video. It's one of my favorite PTX videos. I learn something new each time when I watch your reactions. Thank you. Subscribed.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Hi! I'm glad you enjoy my reactions and continue to learn new information about music and video production 😄 Thanks for becoming a subscriber!

[@carolscott1686]

PTX executed this song masterfully. And can we talk about that wall of sound? Awesome! They all slayed in this one. Thanks for your reaction.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Yes! I know what you're referring to when you say "wall of sound". That's one of the many elements to this arrangement that stood out to me the most!

[@elizabethhostetter1946]

Just a point - the *original* by Tears for Fears was NOT a bleak song. that said, this is absolutely marvellous.

[@parrottm76262]

I really love this version. I have the original in my playlist, in addition to the other popular covers. After listening to all of them one after another, this is my favorite.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Haha something special about Pentatonix 😉😄

[@hollym73e]

I'd love to see your reaction to Aha!, Singapore, The Star Vista (specifically the live version), as well as You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch. I think you reacted to all my other favorites. ;)

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

The Mr. Grinch reactions will come in December for the Christmas season 😁 Glad you've been enjoying my ptx reactions!

[@dwfarr]

Great reaction as usual. It was a great arrangement. However, the majority of their arrangements are great. Request their Rather Be, It’s Different Now, Butter x Dynamite, and Seasons Of Love (televised version).

[@ptxlover6878]

Thank you, thank your for doing this gem! I absolutely love the song and the video, it's so touching, haunting and beautiful.. and the harmonies are outstanding, esp Mitch and Matt together..

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

It's an incredible arrangement!

[@angelcelestenz]

This was a very well done cover of the Gary Jules version of Mad World. Some top notch harmonies. PTX are very slick and polished and know their craft well. So I believe their Sound Mixer is Ed Boyer (someone else noted below) - but did you know that it is the same Ed who does the Sound Mixing for VoicePlay as well? He works with a Capella groups around the world and has worked on many a well known movie and TV Series involving a Capella music (I'll let you guess which they might be 😉). The Gary Jules version of Mad World has always been my favourite - but did you know it was originally by Tears for Fears? It was their first chart hit and was released on their first album "The Hurting" in 1983. You should check it out if you haven't heard that one before. It has a very different tone to the Gary Jules one - but is interesting to listen to. (you don't have to react to it though) I would love to see you react to Geoff Castellucci's new cover of the Monster Mash - it is a lot of fun. And when will you be putting up a new vid on your Jeff Makes Films channel? (If you don't mind me asking)😊. I'm looking forward to the next one.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Hi Celeste! Thank you for intriguing information about Ed and all he has done for a cappella groups. In the way of my film channel, the goal is to upload a new video every week, or every other week because I'm slammed with creating videos for this channel and I freelance on the side. I'm really happy you appreciate the film channel though! 😄

[@JackCross248]

essa música é maravilhosa

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

😁😁

[@michaelwduffy]

AWESOME VID Jeffrey !!!

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Thanks Michael! Greatly appreciate you!

[@rike8043]

Love your reactions to PTX!!! 👏🏻 I'm a great Pentaholic and big Fan of Superfruit (a side-project of Mitch & Scott). It is absolutely worth hearing. 👌🏻 Maybe also time for another journey of a PTX member!? Mitch has a solo project called "Messer" 🔪 And he has a new wonderful song!!! Please react to "Love supply"! ❤ Messers voice (aka Mitch) sounds gorgeous! 👏🏻

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

Thank you for your feedback! I'm glad you enjoy my reactions 😄

[@bethvargas8841]

Main arranger: Ben Bram, Grammy winner. Sound engineer: Ed Boyer. No beat boxing in this one so Kevin adds up to the harmonies

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

That's absolutely crazy!

[@lexymich22]

I'm shocked that you didn't comment at all on the background of the video. That was the part I was looking forward to hearing about. Good reaction but I hope you will clarify that.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

I touched on the background, just not the dancing figures because I didnt realize them until another viewer commented about it.

[@marianagomez3833]

Can you react to little boy drummer live from Pentatonix plsss

[@LottieOfWales]

They made a decision that if they couldn’t sing this the same way live they wouldn’t record it. You should watch some live videos.

[@Blanknewt]

While i like KO beatbox. I think PTX, sounds richer when he is singing.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

For this arrangement it worked out really well! His vocal percussion is greatly needed for their other stuff too.

[@Texastigerdigsdetects]

Kirstin considers herself an alto and not a mezzo soprano.

[@JeffreyHackReacts]

I just remember seeing her vocal part somewhere and that's what it said her voice range was. I agree though that she is more an alto than mezzo-soprano.

[@elizabethfelet4743]

@@JeffreyHackReacts I think, just like the others, her range can't really be defined by a single moniker of alto, or mezzo-soprano. She can sing whistle notes with ease, and has a wonderful command of her head voice along with her lower register, the traditional alto portion. Just like Scott has been defined as a baritone, his range is all the way from tenor (with a great command of his falsetto) to a decently low bass.