Definitive Collection, The - Brass Monkey

Advantages: 20 lovely songs, bonus dvd
Disadvantages: can't please everyone

...is apparently the album where Tori went mad. I wouldn't know because I don't have this one (yet), and only two songs from it are included here. "Mr. Zebra" is just over a minute long, with a blaring brass band lending support to Tori's piano and completely nonsensical lyrics. Oddly enough, I like it. "Way Down" is longer than "Zebra," but it's still under two minutes. It sounds like a gospel song, complete with a male choir. And there's also a dance remix of "Professional Widow." I actually don't think it's that bad, although it's definitely not one of my favourites. 1998's from the choirgirl hotel marked a further evolution in Tori's sound, with more instruments than just the piano and even some electronica. Three tracks from that album appear here. I would have liked to see "Raspberry Swirl" on here, but these three are great too. "Spark... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very good first half.
Disadvantages: Bad second half.

..., the material wavers over time, and gets either less accessible or more schmaltzy. Some of the later stuff lacks inspiration, like Dark Is The Night' and 'Summer Has Moved On', which are both just average pop songs, which (dare I say it) wouldn't sound out of place on a Westlife album. So my recommendation is this - if you can get this album for cheap - I did for £2.99 - then it's a nice purchase. But it's an all better investment to get the album 'Hunting High And Low', which is one of the best pop album of all time in my opinion. This collection is primarily good for the first half, but definitely wavers in quality at the end.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Great patriotic tracks
Disadvantages: none

..., with tracks like Jerusalem and Danny Boy, they can't fail to stir something! The soundtrack mainly has tracks recorded by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band itself, which can be heard in the film when you see the band practising and playing in competitions etc, and there are also tracks that are background to the film at crucial moments. These are composed by Trevor Jones, and don't feature the brass band. Track 1: Death or Glory A favourite piece for events like The Royal Tournament! It's a cheerful marching band piece and is easily recognisable. Definitely one of the patriotic pieces, it's a great, upbeat start to the CD. Track 2: A Sad Old Day This is the first of Trevor Jones' compositions for the soundtrack, and I won't ruin the film for you if you want to see it, but it features at quite a poignant moment in the film and is slow and sad... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful