Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing...but brilliant!, 6 Nov 2006
For me, this is Libera's most disappointing album...and yet I give it five stars! How so? Allow me to explain. I consider myself to be probably Libera's number one fan (see my reviews of their earlier albums!) and after listening to their latest offering, I find myself in two minds to the point of schizophrenia. On the one hand, this album is exactly what you would expect it to be: perfection in both technical and artistic quality. The standard of the vocals is exceptional as always and the production is as faultless as ever. So why the doubts? As I indicated, I am a fanatical admirer of Libera. I have met Robert and the boys on a number of occasions and I have all their albums, even going back to their St Philips Choir days. And therein lies the problem. Anyone who owns their previous two CDs (`Visions' and `Free') will already have no fewer than NINE of the fourteen songs on `Angel Voices'. It is true that there's nothing unusual in seeing reworkings of earlier tracks on Libera albums but, come on guys, in this case the recordings are virtually identical to the ones we already possess. Being the proud owner of their earlier `Libera' and `Luminosa' collections as well, there is practically nothing on `Angel Voices' that I do not already have. However, if you are a new follower of these superb young singers, there is much to be admired here. My favourite Libera track, `I Am The Day', is brilliantly done and you will not fail to be thrilled by standards like `Abide With Me', `I Vow To Thee My Country' and `Be Still My Soul'. And you'll no doubt enjoy `Always With You', a song co-written by Ben Crawley, their former soloist. So the five stars are for performance and technical quality rather than originality.
Additional notes added September 2008: From listening to various comments about this review, it is clear that there has been some misunderstanding about what I was trying to say. There was never meant to be any criticism of Robert and the boys, for whom I have the utmost admiration. If there was any criticism at all, it would have been for record companies trying to make a fast buck by releasing previously issued material on a supposedly new album. Make no mistake, this is a superb CD by anyone's standards and the excellent 'Far Away' is probably worth the price of the album on its own. Anyone who has not got Libera's previous CDs will find it mind-blowing and I would most certainly recommend it as a sort of 'Libera starter pack'. I would like to apologise unreservedly if any offence has been taken from this review; that was certainly not my intention. Libera are a musical sensation and this album contains some of their most excellent material...BUY IT AND ENJOY IT!! Jeff Carter 10/09/08
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Angel Voices - Libera Restrained , 15 Nov 2006
This should be titled "Libera" by the Angel Voices, not the reverse. The
Libera experiment explored a range of ethereal, medieval and percussive
sounds, using modern recording studio techniques to bring clarity and
immediacy to the vocals. Then throw in some sensational soloists for a
sound that is edgy, challenging, sometimes thrilling. While the Asian
market loves it, meanwhile, back at home, apparently it doesn't sell. So
I can understand the economic motivation for change.
Listen closely to the background instrumentation. Anything that can't be
plausibly mistaken for a conventional orchestra or cathedral organ sound
is not allowed. The effect is quiet, subdued, dignified. And by Libera
standards astoundingly dull.
As for the kids' performances: still sensational. "Far Away" went
straight to the top of my playlist following its Asian release, and some
will like the bits of electronic strings in this remix. Some will find
the "little" voices of soloists Michael Horncastle and Tom Cully very
appealing, ranking with the best of the Angel Voices era. The mandatory
"Sanctus" has some interesting new twists. There is also some excellent
ensemble work to replace irreplaceable solo voicing in "Salva Me".
Performances are uniformly good. But "uniformity" is not what this needs.
If you were awaiting a more conventional choir sound, you've got it. You
will love this. I just miss the edge that made Libera truly unique.
Maybe it was time for Libera to explore new directions; yet by the
Libera standard, this is a relatively timid effort. I'm buying only one
copy of this one.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
uuummm... hhheeellllllooo, 13 Nov 2006
If ever there was a contest to find who Libera's greatest fan was. i would fight both tooth and nail to win that contest, however on this latest offering im not so sure i would do that. Heres y
1) Of the 15 tracks on this album 10 are already on their previous albums. Which only leaves 5 with two done twice (Going Home). I feel for a group of this statue to do this is unacceptable.
2) If you look on the japanese edition this cd is supposedly their greatest hits. Now can you have a greatest hits album without the songs Libera, Stay with me, Lux aeterna, Vespera to mention but a few. I mean those songs are propre good and those songs are the ones that got me hooked on Libera in the first place, so was totally disappointed not to see them there.
3) If it was a greatest hits they could have at least relaesed a dual disc with a couple of videos.
having said all this though there are some good new songs like Far away. Its such a sweet song and really gets to me. Its the way Mike sings it i guess but its beautiful song. And the Always with you track sounds like its been revamped a little. Plus their Silent night is indeed a magical xmas track.
Dont be put off by this review. it is a good album.
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