Architectonics - Erkki-Sven Tuur & Absolute Ensemble

Advantages: Its dark
Disadvantages: Too weird

...I bought the original in the HMV sale for about three quid,only cause it was Sven(not Ericsson).To be honest I like weird dark techno stuff,but Sven must have been up in the mountains on his own when he came up with this.The title track is probably the easiest to listen to cause the rest of them have these strange waterey sounds.The front cover on my copy is of a strange person with UV paint on them and the inlay card's design wouldn't be out of place on a Cathedral CD.I wouldn't say it was crap,cause I have respect for his weirdness,but my copy is tucked away in mint condition to be found in 100 years time when it will be the height of cool!!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Anthems a-plenty
Disadvantages: Only good during the world cup

...If you are a football fan you will love this album, just full of songs to play and sing a long to. One major downfall, i have found, is that when you are not doing to well in the world cup or Europe you tend to let it rot. It needs to only be played when your winning or it will be ruined for you. The songs are amusing and, if you are an england fan, memorable. It has the famous recording of the crown singing three lions on a shirt, and, i know it is quite sad, it bought a tear to my eye. Tracks to look out for: Three lions on a shirt Sven Sven Sven Eat my goal (Sorry for the short review, how much can you write about an album full of football chants?)... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Bellini's music. Gruberova, Kasarova, Bernardini
Disadvantages: Morosow

...the absolutely impecable Slovak soprano Edita Gruberova in the title role of Beatrice. She is well supported by the cast of the reliable (if not vocally beautiful) Igor Morosow as 'Filippo', Don Bernardini is a gorgeous voiced 'Orombello', and there is the superstar mezzo to be Vesselina Kasarova displaying impressive technique, bright upper register and dramatic commitment as 'Agnese'. Gruberova not only makes the very difficult and high tessitura (average pitch) music of Beatrice sounds easy, she also shows herself a superb voice actress. The only thing that might be called a flaw is her habit of portamenting into high notes (hitting just below the intended note and sliding up into it). Though if you can chalk that up as artistic preference, she is technically superb in every way. This singer can laugh, cry, or even mock convincingly with her... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful