PTX, Vol. IV: Classics

PTX, Vol. IV: Classics is the fifth extended play album by the a cappella group Pentatonix. It was released by RCA Records on April 7, 2017, and is their first EP since 2014's PTX, Vol. III.[1] It is their final release with original member Avi Kaplan, who left the group later that year.[2][3]

PTX, Vol. IV: Classics
EP by
Pentatonix
ReleasedApril 7, 2017[1]
Recorded2016–2017
GenreA cappella, rock, country, pop
Length25:04
LanguageEnglish
LabelRCA
ProducerBen Bram
Pentatonix chronology
A Pentatonix Christmas
(2016)		 PTX, Vol. IV: Classics
(2017)		 PTX Presents: Top Pop, Vol. I
(2018)
Singles from PTX, Vol. IV: Classics
  1. "Jolene"
    Released: September 16, 2016

Their second work after PTXmas to not feature any original material, the album marks a departure from the group's typical sound, which mostly consists of either modern pop songs or Christmas music, choosing instead to focus on standards of rock, blues, country, and older pop music.[4]

"Jolene", featuring the original artist, Dolly Parton, earned her and Pentatonix a Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.[5]

Critical reception

The group's cover of "Jolene", originally released as a single and later included in the EP, was particularly praised. Julia Brucculieri of The Huffington Post called the version "a hauntingly beautiful a cappella update"[6] Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal called it a "stellar version", stating that "Pentatonix proves yet again that they can do no wrong with anything they sing or cover. The addition of Dolly Parton helps elevate 'Jolene' to a higher level, and they prove that it is possible for heaven to be a place on earth. Their a cappella rendition earns five out of five stars."[7] Stefan Kyriazis of the Daily Express called it a "remarkable new version of the old standard. 'Jolene' was released way back in 1973 but has never sounded fresher."[8]

Sara Vallone of the Independent Journal Review stated that "Pentatonix just did justice to Dolly Parton's 'Jolene'", and that "Parton is proving once again just how timeless she truly is".[9] The cover eventually won the Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.[5] Parton had been nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance twice for the song, first for its 1973 original release and then in 1976 for a live version; this resulted in the song earning her a Grammy 44 years after its original release.[10]

In an online review, Brandy McDonnell of The Oklahoman called the group's cover of "Bohemian Rhapsody" "an incredible rendition [...] that highlights the quintet's sterling harmonies and vocal effects."[11]

Commercial performance

PTX, Vol. IV: Classics debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 with 54,000 album-equivalent units, of which 50,000 were pure album sales.[12]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."Bohemian Rhapsody" (Queen cover)Freddie MercuryMitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan5:55
2."Imagine" (John Lennon cover)John LennonKaplan, Hoying, Grassi, Maldonado, Kevin Olusola4:20
3."Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (The Andrews Sisters cover)Don Raye, Hughie PrinceMaldonado (soprano), Grassi (alto), Hoying (tenor)2:18
4."Over the Rainbow" (from The Wizard of Oz)Harold Arlen, E.Y. HarburgMaldonado3:54
5."Take On Me" (A-ha cover)Magne Furuholmen, Morten Harket, Pål WaaktaarGrassi, Hoying3:28
6."Can't Help Falling in Love" (Elvis Presley cover)Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, George David WeissGrassi2:58
7."Jolene" (Dolly Parton cover)Dolly PartonParton, Hoying2:11
Total length:25:04
Japanese bonus track[13]
No.TitleLength
8."Na Na Na"2:35
Total length:27:39

Personnel

Pentatonix

Additional personnel

  • Pentatonix, Ben Bram – production, arranger, engineer
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals on "Jolene"
  • Andrew Kesler – arranger
  • Ed Boyer – mixing
  • Bill Hare – mastering

Charts
Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[15] 10
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[16] 20
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[17] 8
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[18] 94
Italian Albums (FIMI)[19] 13
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[20] 34
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[21] 14
Scottish Albums (OCC)[22] 37
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[23] 26
UK Albums (OCC)[24] 41
US Billboard 200[12] 4

References
  1. "PTX, Vol. IV - Classics". iTunes. Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  2. Nyren, Erin (May 12, 2017). "Avi Kaplan Exits Pentatonix in Tearful Goodbye Video". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 2017-05-15. Retrieved May 13, 2017.
  3. Kaplan, Avi [@Avi_Kaplan] (September 4, 2017). "Tonight was my last show with PTX" (Tweet). Retrieved October 14, 2017 – via Twitter.
  4. "Any way the wind blows: Pentatonix takes on 'Bohemian Rhapsody'". Star-Telegram. Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on 2017-04-10. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  5. https://twitter.com/RecordingAcad/status/830906821833486337. Retrieved February 12, 2017. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. "Dolly Parton And Pentatonix Give 'Jolene' A Hauntingly Beautiful A Cappella Update". The Huffington Post. Julia Brucculieri. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  7. "Review: Pentatonix and Dolly Parton amazing on 'Jolene' cover". Digital Journal. Markos Papadatos. Archived from the original on 2017-04-11. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  8. "Why have 8 MILLION people watched this version of Jolene by Dolly Parton and Pentatonix?". Daily Express. Stefan Kyriazis. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  9. "Pentatonix Just Did Justice to Dolly Parton's 'Jolene': One of the Greatest Songs of All Time". Independent Journal Review. Sara Vallone. Archived from the original on 2017-04-11. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  10. "Dolly Parton and Pentatonix win country duo/roup performance award for 'Jolene'". Los Angeles Times. Randall Roberts. Archived from the original on 2017-07-05. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  11. "Video: Pentatonix superbly covers 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and releases EP 'PTX Vol. IV – Classics'". The Oklahoman. Brandy McDonnell. Archived from the original on 2017-04-13. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  12. Caulfield, Keith (April 16, 2017). "The Chainsmokers' 'Memories' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2017-04-16. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  13. "【CD】PTX VOL.IV -クラシックス＜初回仕様＞Album". Tower Records Japan. Japan. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  14. Jones, Darianna. "Bold & Sugar Interviews Mitch Grassi of Pentatonix: "Don't Be Afraid to Be Different"". BoldAndSugar.com. Bold and Sugar. Archived from the original on August 25, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  15. "Australiancharts.com – Pentatonix – PTX Vol. IV - Classics". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  16. "Austriancharts.at – Pentatonix – PTX Vol. IV - Classics" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  17. "Pentatonix Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  18. "Offiziellecharts.de – Pentatonix – PTX Vol. IV - Classics" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  19. "Italiancharts.com – Pentatonix – PTX Vol. IV - Classics". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  20. "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2016-12-05" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  21. "Charts.nz – Pentatonix – PTX Vol. IV - Classics". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  22. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
  23. "Swisscharts.com – Pentatonix – PTX Vol. IV - Classics". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  24. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 15, 2017.
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