PTX Volume 1
EP by
Pentatonix
ReleasedJune 26, 2012
RecordedWinter-Spring 2012
GenreA cappella
Length22:51
LanguageEnglish
LabelMadison Gate Records
ProducerBen Bram
Pentatonix chronology
PTX Volume 1
(2012) 		PTXmas
(2012)

PTX, Volume 1 is the debut extended play album by the a cappella group Pentatonix. It was released on June 26, 2012.

Conception and development

After winning the title of champion in the reality show The Sing-Off, Pentatonix was signed to a record label, enabling them to pursue their goal of a musical career. The group promoted their then-upcoming EP through YouTube videos with covers of pop songs such as "Somebody That I Used to Know" by Gotye featuring Kimbra, "Gangnam Style" by PSY, and "We Are Young" by Fun, which went viral.[1][2]

Reception

The Gizzle Review gave the EP four stars out of five, praising the group by saying, "these new [cover song] versions are exquisite - filled with tight harmonies, impressive riffing and plenty of vocal bells and whistles." However, they also pointed out that, "This EP doesn't have the same variety of material as the group presented on The Sing Off (admittedly consisting of themed rounds)." hoping for more variety in future albums.[3] Alt Rock Live gave a score of 9 out of 10: "Pentatonix brings so much energy into their music along with intense talent and creativity. Their sound is a little futuristic while staying firmly rooted in modern pop rock."[4]

In 2013, the Contemporary A Cappella Society awarded the album with Best Pop/Rock Album, Best Pop/Rock Song for "Starships", and Best Soul/R&B Song for "The Baddest Girl".[5]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Gizzle Review[3]
Alt Rock Live9/10[4]

Commercial performance

The album peaked at number 14 in the US Billboard 200 chart and number 5 on the digital chart[6][7] selling 20,000 copies in its first week of release.[8][9] It also peaked at number 2 on the US Billboard Top Independent Albums chart making it Madison Gate Records' highest charting release to date.[10]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Original ArtistLength
1."Starships"Onika Maraj, Nadir Khayat, Rami Yacoub, Carl Falk, Wayne HectorNicki Minaj3:01
2."The Baddest Girl"Scott HoyingPentatonix3:49
3."Somebody That I Used to Know"Wally de Backer, Luiz BonfáGotye featuring Kimbra3:19
4."Aha!"Imogen Jennifer Jane HeapImogen Heap2:37
5."Show You How to Love"Avi Kaplan, Kevin OlusolaPentatonix3:53
6."Love You Long Time"Salaam Remi, Jazmine SullivanJazmine Sullivan3:05
7."We Are Young"Nate Ruess, Andrew Dost, Jack Antonoff, Jeffrey Bhaskerfun. featuring Janelle Monáe3:07

Charts

Chart (2012) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[11] 14
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[12] 5
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[13] 2

Personnel

Pentatonix
Production

References

  1. ^ "Pentatonix 'We Are Young' A Capella Cover Goes Viral". Huffington Post. May 9, 2012. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  2. ^ Wakim, Marielle (July 16, 2012). "Pentatonix Are Making a Cappella Cool Again (or Maybe for the First Time)". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "The Gizzle Review". July 12, 2012. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Alt Rock Live Review". July 9, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  5. ^ "2013 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award Winners". CASA.org. March 31, 2013. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  6. ^ Trust, Gary (July 6, 2012). "Weekly Chart Notes: Whitney Houston, Pentatonix, Andy Griffith". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  7. ^ Grein, Paul (July 4, 2012). "Week Ending July 1, 2012. Albums: Keeping Adam Humble". Yahoo! Music Chart Watch. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  8. ^ Smith, Grady (July 3, 2012). "Winners of 'The Sing-Off' outsell 'The Voice' winner Javier Colon". music-mix.ew.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  9. ^ "Linkin Parks One, Maroon's Next". Hits Daily Double. June 27, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  10. ^ "Pentatonix Debut at #14 on Billboard's Top 200". PRNewswire.com. July 9, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  11. ^ "Pentatonix Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  12. ^ "Pentatonix Chart History (Digital Albums)".[dead link] Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  13. ^ "Pentatonix Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2014.

External links

Pentatonix
Authority control databases
Categories