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Product Description
Review
Teen sensations All Angels have officially been the Next Big Thing in classical music since they fluttered onto the scene in the summer of 2006. Their eponymous debut went platinum in a matter of weeks, and they were soon doing everything expected of photogenic prodigies since Charlotte Church swapped communion wine for the harder stuff. Nominated for a Classical Brit? Tick. Performed for the Queen? Tick. Wear matching white outfits and release a cover of Robbie Williams' "Angels"? Tick, tick, tick.
Now they're back with Into Paradise, another eclectic mix of pop-classical fusion, only this time with a more elegiac slant. Requiems, spirituals and even a couple of break-up songs sit alongside a more familiar array of classical pieces. But while All Angels are undeniably talented vocalists, the slickness of this album far exceeds any aspiration it has to be taken seriously.
The most striking track is a hauntingly stripped-down rendition of "In Paradisum" (Latin for 'into paradise' - see what they did there?) Mercifully under-produced, it is a perfect showcase for their subtlety as performers. Similarly adept, if predictable, are "Pie Jesu" and "Sancte Deus" (from Nimrod.)
But while they do a pretty good job of making Faure's Requiem sound heavenly, a special level of hell should be reserved for whoever chose to throw in choral renderings of Coldplay's "The Scientist" and Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U". All traces of feeling have been ironed out of these teen poetry whine-athons, and the addition of some overwrought orchestration does nothing to lift their terminal dreariness.
Not all of the pop choices fall flat, however. A harmonised version of Simon and Garfunkels' "The Sound of Silence" manages to draw out the song's charming 60s idealism with a well-judged lightness of touch.
Into Paradise so desperately wants to be sophisticated and cutting edge, but in reality it is achingly safe. But if there's one thing that really frustrates about listening to this album, it's the feeling that we've been here before. If All Angels have any higher ambitions than this, then their material will have to grow up with them. --Jack Jewers
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
To be honest, I don't see what the previous 'negative' reviewers are getting at. If you liked the first album, then I'd be pretty sure you'll like this.
The album starts with an interpretation of Nimrod from Elgar's Enigma Variations. The interpretation is wonderful - all soaring harmonies and carried beautifully by the girls' voices, but not in any sense 'overdone'. I thought the album was worth the purchase price for this track alone.
The second track is 'In Paradisum' from Faure's Requiem. A lovely, peaceful track, well-sung and (although very popular) not over-familiar. The first two tracks are exceptional.
Then we have 'Make me a Channel of your Peace', a spiritual highlight, and perfect for those reflective moments in your day.
'Swing Low' is, of course, an interpretation of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot', which I have always thought (though I could be wrong) was a Southern-US spiritual. Anyhow, it's (again) well-sung, fitting the reflective and spiritual mood of the album so well.
Although there are pop songs on the album, I'm not sure why previous reviewers are complaining - after all 'Angels' was on the first disc. They are universally well-sung, and interpreted into a peaceful and relaxed style.
If you enjoyed the first album, I feel that you'll love this one too. Of course the girls' voices have matured slightly - they are a couple of years older, after all, but those soaringly pure harmonies are all still there. I defy you to listen to Nimrod (track 1) or Nothing Compares 2 U (track 12) and not be emotionally moved.
The album starts with an interpretation of Nimrod from Elgar's Enigma Variations. The interpretation is wonderful - all soaring harmonies and carried beautifully by the girls' voices, but not in any sense 'overdone'. I thought the album was worth the purchase price for this track alone.
The second track is 'In Paradisum' from Faure's Requiem. A lovely, peaceful track, well-sung and (although very popular) not over-familiar. The first two tracks are exceptional.
Then we have 'Make me a Channel of your Peace', a spiritual highlight, and perfect for those reflective moments in your day.
'Swing Low' is, of course, an interpretation of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot', which I have always thought (though I could be wrong) was a Southern-US spiritual. Anyhow, it's (again) well-sung, fitting the reflective and spiritual mood of the album so well.
Although there are pop songs on the album, I'm not sure why previous reviewers are complaining - after all 'Angels' was on the first disc. They are universally well-sung, and interpreted into a peaceful and relaxed style.
If you enjoyed the first album, I feel that you'll love this one too. Of course the girls' voices have matured slightly - they are a couple of years older, after all, but those soaringly pure harmonies are all still there. I defy you to listen to Nimrod (track 1) or Nothing Compares 2 U (track 12) and not be emotionally moved.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was not familiar with the group "All Angels" before Amazon.co.uk sent me a recommendation to buy their CD. I did a little research on the group and was pleasently surprised. I decided to purchase their first CD and and enjoyed listening to it when I received it. The four ladies' voices are simple terrific - a quality that is not like anyone else I've ever heard before - especially in this age group. I can't say enough good about this group - they sing such a wide range of different songs - ALL BEAUTIFULLY DONE! I think their cause is pretty fantastic too. Their second CD (this CD) is really quite nice. I think their performance is slightly better on this CD. They did a remarkable job singing " The Scientist" and "Sound of Silence", however all of the tracks on the CD are exceptional. I would love to see one of their concerts available on DVD in the near future. I really recommend this CD to all who like really GOOD music. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK All ANGELS!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Unlike some reviewers I was not disappointed by this recording. Admittedly the girls are older and their voices slightly more mature, but what they lack in innocence is made up for by more imaginative phrasing. All the tracks are beautifully sung, although Elgar's Nimrod was a little disappointing, perhaps because I know this work so well in the original. Whatever they do sounds "heavenly" to me!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
very disappointed
I was looking forward to receive this CD. But after hearing a couple of songs I was very disappointed. Read more
Published 2 months ago by elisabeth
BEAUTIFUL LOVELY LADIES WITH ANGELICAL VOICES AND INCREDIBLE SONGS!!!
This album is really an invitation to relax, enjoy and to travel to an ethereal world; beautiful sacred melodies like PIE JESU (sublime, it's my favorite) and MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF... Read more
Published 7 months ago by C. Bellegarrigue
Relaxing
A collection of choral pieces that encompass many tastes, ideal for playing in my conservatory during my "elevenses" coffee break. Read more
Published 13 months ago by David J. Stout
angels review
I bought this item for a friend and she was delighted with it Thank you
Published 21 months ago by bea 121
Ian's review
The first CD of All Angels that I purchased was "Fly Away". I liked it when I heard some of it broadcast, so I also purchased "Into Paradise". Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2010 by Ian J. R. Johnson
Amazing Sounds
What an absolute must have. I have lost count of how many copies of this cd I have bought. Gave them all as presents to friends and family because song number 11 Singing you... Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2010 by L. Turner
Truly angelic
Into Paradise is an apt description for the whole album, with rich angelic harmonies pervasive from start to finish. Incidentally, I love the cover and booklet artwork. Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2010 by J. Harvey
Improvement galour
It is evident in the quality of this CD that All Angels are more confident vocally. Although I enjoyed their debut album, there was something about it that annoyed me after a... Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2010 by mandextha
apply named
when i buy a c.d iwish to be entertained &also be taken out of my every day world this c.d dose both
Published on 15 Sep 2009 by William F. Mead
Good purchase, glad I got it.
Relaxing, and well performed of course. A few of the tracks could have been better selected, but that didn't detract too much from what was an excellent CD. Recommended.
Published on 6 Jun 2009 by G. E. Peck
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