Reminding the locals that SPEBSQSA's International Quartet competitions are in fact International, Matrix are the new kids on the block in the SPEBSQSA world. 2001 British Association of Barbershop Singers quartet champions, and Silver Medalists at the European Barbershop Quartet Championship, 'Virtual Reality' shows why. They have the elusive ability, that we've only seen in a veteran group like Acoustix, to take a simple, well-arranged song and make the chords ring in a way that sends thrills up and down the spine. 15 beautifully crafted songs: 'Blue Skies,' 'After The Lovin',' 'The Little White Cloud That Cried,' 'I Love You For Sentimental Reasons,' 'Today,' 'Exodus,' 'Let There Be Love,' 'My Best To You,' 'I'm Gonna Live 'Til I Die,' 'Somewhere,' 'Duke of Earl,' 'Smile,' 'When My Baby Smiles At Me,' 'Lover Come Back' and 'The Irish Blessing.' It's all good stuff. The British are coming!

Listen to I'm Gonna Live til I Die in RealAudio.

Since their formation in 2001, combining 3 gold medal-winning veterans, Paul, Dale and Mark, with newcomer bass Brian O'Dell, MatriX began their steady climb up the elite Barbershop Quartet ladder with a 19th place finish at the 2002 convention. 2003 saw the group add another newcomer, lead Jeff Wallace, who led MatriX to a 12th place finish at the Montreal convention, and in the 2006 Indianapolis competition broke into the top 10, placing 9th. Their new self-titled release really shows off the talents of this fast-rising group. 12 songs, beginning with the powerful 'I'm Gonna Live Till I Die,' 'Look Me Up When You're in Dixie,' the heart-tugging standards 'Georgia On My Mind,' 'If You Had All The World And Its Gold,' 'Distant Melody,' and Billy Joel's wonderful 'Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel).' Paul Simon's '59th St. Bridge song (Feelin' Groovy)' has a carefree arrangement, there's a strong live cut from Montreal in 2003, 'Black Eyed Susan Brown,' the poignant 'Garden in the Rain' (which segues into 'Over the Rainbow') and the final tune, 'Some Lucky Day,' are all winners. Great arrangements, ringing harmonies and sheer love of singing add up to a great collection of barbershop and pop from fast-rising MatriX!

Listen to Distant Melody in RealAudio.