Great Organ Works

Advantages: Well-balance compilation, excellent artistry, well-recorded
Disadvantages: None

...Charles Stanford is one of the great English choral composers and this third volume of his sacred works continues to pay great homage to this. Sung by the choir of Winchester Cathedral the musical capability of the artists is not in doubt, and they do great justice to the works. Throughout these pieces the organ accompaniment of Stephen Farr is exemplary, and well balanced with the choral sound. This compilation contains a nice mix of tracks. As well as the Evening Services, there are a number of anthems and several extended pieces (St. Patrick's Breastplate, For Lo, I Raise Up). The Evening Services in C and B flat reflect Stanford's great ability to bring life to the magnificat and nunc dimittis. With such frequently sung words this is a difficult enough achievement, yet here we hear voices that soar with dynamism and grace... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Unlike anything else
Disadvantages: So varied that you won't like every track

...After an album as good as Funeral, it's always difficult to live up to the expectations of your next album. Did Arcade Fire manage to do it? Well, partially. Neon Bibe contains some stunning tracks, the highlights being Intervention, Black Wave/ Bad Vibrations and Windowsill. The variation is bewildering and the use of Church Organs really give a surrel feel that generally works. It's just a shame that the great songs are interspersed by some more mediocre ones. They're not bad tracks, I guess I just hoped for me from a band that have written one of my favourite all time tracks (Rebellion/Lies). Having said that, the title track, Neon Bible, is a total waste of space. It's a good album, and very listenable, but part of me wishes it could have been just that little bit more.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: A different sort of music.
Disadvantages: Only 13 songs on it.

...This is a very different album to what im used to listening to, at first i didnt like it i thought i couldnt get into it or try to pick up the words as i like to sing along to songs, but as i have listened to it more ive picked up on them. The lead singer Brandon Flowers has a fantastic and unique voice and makes this album as good as it is, without his vocals it just wouldnt work. The music itself is fantastic and it is quite instrumental and they use what sounds like an organ in most songs, I think it goes great to the first track Sam"s Town. My favourite tracks are When You Were Young, Sam"s Town and Read My MInd. I love Sam"s Town because of the introduction and the words mean alot, When You Were Young is excellent its about childhood and the words are excellent. In a nutshell this is a brillianty written and performed album... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Amazing!
Disadvantages: none

...Having recently acquired this album via import, i have to say i believe it to be one of the most groundbreaking mind expanding albums of the last decade. Dj Shadow, a world-renowned ambient chills DJ, doesnt fail to deliver the goods on this album. Weather from the totally devastating yet calm "what does your soul look like? (part 2)" to the beat filled "High Noon" to the jumpy organ pumping "Organ Donor" DJ Shadow entices the listener, creating an aura of calm and although only tempoary, he contributes to an enormous sense of inner peace. So its great hey??? Well Yes is the simple answer. Perhaps the only downfall to this fantastic album is you may encounter some minor difficulties tracking it down, depending upon your location. I purchased it online through amazon, and it delivered in about a week and a half. This is a great album... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Unlike anything else
Disadvantages: So varied that you won't like every track

...After an album as good as Funeral, it's always difficult to live up to the expectations of your next album. Did Arcade Fire manage to do it? Well, partially. Neon Bibe contains some stunning tracks, the highlights being Intervention, Black Wave/ Bad Vibrations and Windowsill. The variation is bewildering and the use of Church Organs really give a surrel feel that generally works. It's just a shame that the great songs are interspersed by some more mediocre ones. They're not bad tracks, I guess I just hoped for me from a band that have written one of my favourite all time tracks (Rebellion/Lies). Having said that, the title track, Neon Bible, is a total waste of space. It's a good album, and very listenable, but part of me wishes it could have been just that little bit more.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Beautiful Requiem
Disadvantages: Better live

...This review is of the requiem itself rather than the entire CD as it makes up most of the music on the disc. Of all the classical requiems out there Faure's is perhaps the most emotive. Its movements are sombre without being morose and solemn without being boring. Listeners may be familiar with extracts used in recent television adverts particulaly the Agnes Dei whose middle passage and modulation are perhaps the most fantastic in the whole work. Another great is the Libere Me where a solo male voice is a nice contrast to the soprano solo in the Pie Jesu. My only qualm with the piece is the In Sanctum Spiritum where the staccato organ part conjures up images of the magic roundabout?! Defintely one to listen to very loudly after a long day. For a very tranquil experience give it a try...!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful