These singers are talented enough to elevate the score in cases where a lesser group with the same arrangement would be average at best. Many of the usual collegiate a cappella problems were avoided, making it an easy listen. The Clefhangers are a solid college group, and Abandoned Studio is a fine album. Unfortunately, due to some perplexing choices on the part of the group, that's the best I can say about it. Every strength is compromised by a corresponding weakness.
Production is a case in point.
In some ways, it's a step ahead of the college pack. The sound has a brightness, clarity, and presence that I enjoyed. Same story with the soloists. Some of the male Clefhangers are playing in the same league as the women, but others are struggling with throatiness, nasality, or what I can only call whiteness. My favorite moments on the album are when the girls chorus in as background singers, as they do on Fifty Ways and Respect .