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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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Product Description
CD Universal Classics And Jazz, 476 619-9, 2007 14 Track
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By mark0000
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.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By JCR
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!
6 of 6 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
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really relaxing
I love All Angels. I sit in traffic watching all the chaos around me while I just chill in my own little world listening to All Angels. Read more
Published 6 days ago by C. Boam
5.0 out of 5 stars
Into Paradise - All Angels
What great harmony these four girls have produced on this CD.
I already had Sancte Deis (Nimrod) but love the more modern
Sound of Silence and Nothing Compares to you.
I already had Sancte Deis (Nimrod) but love the more modern
Sound of Silence and Nothing Compares to you.
Published 1 month ago by Pamela Cowgill
5.0 out of 5 stars
All Angels Musical Paradise
"Into Paradise" by All Angels combines smooth classical music elements with carefully balanced themes of human emotion. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Stella Carrier
5.0 out of 5 stars
ALL Angels
love the songs and them!! . . . . . . . . .what else can I say . . . . . . . . . .
Published 5 months ago by Ken Lane
5.0 out of 5 stars
Angelic
I have this as a CD and MP3 download and never tire of listening to it. One of my best purchases.
Published 6 months ago by Suek52
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
Lovely cd , gets better with listening , only one track don't really like but all others are beautifully sung and are very relaxing .
Published 8 months ago by gem
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Beautiful
Who could be negative about such beautiful voices..... put your feet up with a cup of tea or glass of wine, and just relax and enjoy this vocal/musical treat....bliss!
Published 9 months ago by KittyB
3.0 out of 5 stars
Worth a listen!
Enjoyed these girls for their youth and sincerity.
Quite good compilation and mix of music.
The top notes are not always inspiring but they are young, sweet and... Read more
Quite good compilation and mix of music.
The top notes are not always inspiring but they are young, sweet and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mrs. Carolynn A. D. Hall
2.0 out of 5 stars
very disappointed
I was looking forward to receive this CD. But after hearing a couple of songs I was very disappointed. Read more
Published 14 months ago by elisabeth
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 19 months ago by C. Bellegarrigue
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