...V Kruhu Veskerenstva... - Hyperborean Desire

Advantages: Distinective French music at it's most brilliant
Disadvantages: At some point it has to end

...Long Live Noir Desir! Noir Desir is dead! Well, kind of. It’s probably not particularly PC to like Noir Desir as their charismatic singer, Bretrand Cantat is currently about to stand trial for manslaughter (of then girlfriend, actress Marie Trintignant), the story behind which is rather hazy; but this should not get in the way of recognising what an utterly sublime band Noir Desir were. It is very easy to dismiss European rock music and often it is pretty bad; mainland Europe flourishes in all other art forms but contemporary rock music seems to be one item that is missing. So it is just as easy to accept something slightly less than great as great because of general paucity of skill. Not so with Noir Desir and especially Des Visages des Figures, for this has to be one of the great albums. In truth I’ve been listening... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Inspiring lyrics accompanied by lively, exotic music. Hurricane. Mozambique.
Disadvantages: Joey is far too long.

...Desire is my most enjoyable album. It is thought provoking but also musically beautiful. Desire is a complete classic. I never thought much of Bob Dylan’s music until I heard Desire. The thoughtful lyrics and the calm distinct tones hit home. I realised Dylan was a genius mainly on account of his poetry but also through his musical appreciation. I had always thought that Dylan was a whinging, unmusical bore. Desire was different. It was lively, optimistic and full of colour, epitomised by Mozambique. And even in contrast to this there are wonderfully provocative protest songs with Hurricane as his defining effort. Dylan’s voice is full of emotion and is most capably backed up on occasion by Emmylou Harris. Desire was released in 1976 and is considered by many as "Dylan's last great album". I personally believe it is his very... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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