Art Of Kenneth McKellar, The - Kenneth McKellar

Advantages: Good songs sung by a great performer
Disadvantages: None

...If you are looking for the near-perfect tenor solo, the title track is it. McKellar's rendition of "Land Of Hearts Desire" is a lesson in superb vocal technique. Everything from voice, pitch, phrasing - right down to the last perfectly graduated diminuendo is just about flawless. It is rare to find singing of this calibre outside the field of opera. I've got just about everything Kenneth McKellar has recorded but I keep coming back to this song. There is an almost magical quality about it... The other tracks, with the exception of "Think On Me" are fairly standard Scottish folk songs. McKellar does a thoroughly professional job with all of them. Listen to some of them as sung by others, especially "Land Of Hearts Desire" and "Think On Me", and you'll realise just how good McKellar is.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...REM return to their rock roots with this album after the more acoustically charged "Automatic For The People" and "Out Of Time". However, the change in style has certainly not resulted in a change in quality. "Monster" boasts some classic REM hits including the opening track "What's The Frequency Kenneth?" and "Star 69". Their softer more sentimental side is also shown in the sublime "Strange Currencies". These are in my opinion the stand out tracks but "Crush With Eyeliner" and "Bang and Blame" prove that the rest are not just fillers.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good songs
Disadvantages: Not as good as other REM Stuff

...Well this is the album that included the hit single What's The Frequency Kenneth. The album apart from that isn't the best one that has come from the REM camp. It is lacking in places in inspiration, and against Out of Time or Automatic for the People it will not stand the test of time! It lacks the classic sound to the sounds, and the superb lyrics that are prevailant on so many other REM songs! This is a must for any massive fan of REM, as it will help complete any collection, but for those people on the periphery it might be one of the ones to give a miss.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful