The A Cappella world is abuzz with the good news: the release of 'The Middle of Life,' The Real Group's much-anticipated new CD. Even better, 'Life' is all new, all originals, all studio and all in English! Anders Edenroth writes the music and lyrics to 'Prime Time Blues,' a funky, saucy romp that features the title phrase and some state-of-the-art vocal percussion and mock horns, his 'Words' is a lyrical, rhythmic masterpiece, 'Friendship' has Anders singing a mellow, soaring lead, and his 'The Grass Grows Greener' is an instant jazz standard with his voice adding a muted, precise tone. Peder Karlsson writes the understated, bluesy 'Mister Father,' his 'Are You Coming To Me' is a salsa-flavored fiesta tune featuring Katarina on lead, 'A Quiet Song' features Peder's slow, bluesy voice, and 'Gota,' featuring Peder and Katarina, has a simple, meandering melody that builds in intensity to symphonic proportions. Margareta Jalkeus writes 'Spring Is Coming' and has a nice, soaring solo riff that becomes a dreamy scat sequence, and has a moody, mysterious lead on her 'My Hidden World.' Katarina Henryson writes 'I Tried,' shares writing credits with Anders on the ironic, pop-ish 'A Perfect Life,' and her bluenote alto on her 'Given' is sweetly profound. So much talent here - we find ourselves listening to this CD again and again to appreciate just how far the a cappella envelope has been pushed, and comparing the genius and musical focus of the individual composers. Simply put, 'The Middle of Life' is a masterpiece, an unexpected gift from Sweden to be unwrapped and savored on many levels!

Listen to Prime Time Blues in RealAudio.