The Piano Guys // The Piano Guys

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You may not be familiar with these YouTube sensations, but presently, their version of One Republic’s Secrets (known as Beethoven’s 5 Secrets) in the current Thomson’s advert (search Simon The Ogre), taken from their debut self titled album (released only at the start of 2013 in the UK). But what is it exactly?

Well, some of the titles give the game away, for example, the first one Titanium/Pavane. This track takes the David Guetta track and mixes it with Faure’s classical piece. The same goes for other tracks such as the previously mentioned Beethoven’s 5 Secrets & Michael Meets Mozart. Other tracks aren’t so obvious that they are mixed with classical pieces (their cover of Rolling In The Deep features sections from Holst’s Jupiter). There are some straight covers in an African flavoured version of Coldplay’s Paradise, Christina Perri’'s A Thousand Years and One Directions What Makes You Beautiful as well as a medley of music from Star Wars, tactfully named here as Cello Wars.

In a way, this could be looked at as an album of almost classical music for people who don’t do classical music. The classical pieces actually work well when in included with the more recent counterpart, with no disjointedness…you’d almost swear the tracks were made for each other. Their take on the all of the works is respectful to it’s original yet brings a bit of zing to them.

Rating 5/5

Utada // In The Flesh 2010

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It’s been 3 years since Utada released her album This Is The One and tour it with her In The Flesh tour, but now finally, footage from two of those shows (The Filamore at Irving Plaza in New York and O2 Islington Academy in London) has been released for viewing pleasure.

The compilation brings her show featuring mainly tracks from her two English language albums, Exodus and This Is The One with a few Japanese thrown in for good measure. Sadly there are at points where, given the fact that the recording is split across two venues, that this is made blatantly obviously but at the same time, it’s sometimes done well. But when cutting between the venues in midst of a song….you then have to ask…what recording is actually being used?

As a “live” experience, it makes viewing a little awkward. Whilst some might argue that having it across the two venues isn’t a bad thing, at the same time, it would be nice to just have one full performance from one venue. Nice little memory for those that were there or for those that are curious at what they missed out on.

Rating:3/5

Deacon Blue // You’ll Know It’s Christmas

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You’ll Know It’s Christmas  is Scottish band Deacon Blue’s first ever Christmas single in their 23 years of being around. So what is it offering?

It sort of feels a bit like there was at one point two songs going around and that they’ve taken the best past and merged them into one with a touch of the old Fairytale of New York thrown in for good measure. Despite this disjointment, you can’t help but sing along with this and we can’t help but think that this could be classic in the making.

Rating: 4/5

The Big Reunion // I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday

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In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock, The Big Reunion brought members from some of the most well known groups from the 90s back together and it ended up in a UK tour and some groups going on to tour on their own. Of course for Christmas, they’ve come together to record a classic Christmas track for charity the form of I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday

To be honest,it’s not actually that bad. Each group seems to have it’s own little section and their voices work well together. Ok so it might not be the next Band Aid, but when working with so many voices, it’s difficult to know how it is going to turn out, and this take on the Christmas classic isn’t too bad. And of course, we’re going to say it, but it’s for charity and it is the season of good will!

Maybe it won’t be Christmas every day for the individuals involved but maybe it will be for the charities involved

Rating: 4/5

Sam Bailey // Skyscraper

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So this year’s X Factor competition in the UK has ended and they’ve crowned Sam Bailey their winner. As with previous winner, her winner’s single is a cover and in this instance it’s a cover of Demi Lovato’s Skyscraper

To be honest, watching Sam on the result show she did have a few stumbles (probably nerves) but lifted her game and delivers this song with power and emotion. There are moments where it seems that she over pronounces the words, breaking them into more syllables than needed. Neither the less, Sam was the deserving winner on the night and here’s to hearing more from her in the future.

Rating: 4/5

The Retrobot // Christmas Robot

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It is well seeing that it is that time of year. Another contender for the converted Christmas number one is The Retrobot with Christmas Robot

It’s the 2013 answer to The Crazy Frog. The song is one of those that is really annoying the more you hear it but at the same time, you can help want to sing the beep beep boop boop line whenever it comes on. Maybe we can swipe the batteries out him and put him in a dark corner somewhere where no one will ever find him!

Rating: 1/5

Jack Topping // Tomorrow

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11 year old Choirboy Jack Topping is the youngest ambassador for Save The Children as well as being the youngest to sign a deal with Decca. And the first offering comes in the form of Tomorrow from the musical Annie.

You might have heard the ad already on the adverts for Save The Children, this haunting version along with the imagery tugs at the heart strings. But for us, it’s just a little too proper in it’s delivery.

Yes it might just be one little thing and no doubt that it will probably do well in raising money for Save The Children (it is the season to of giving after all) but maybe a little too soft to light up the charts though

Rating: 3/5

The Fishwives Choir // When The Boat Comes In/Eternal Father

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It’s getting to that time of year again when the race for the Christmas number one sets in. And this year, one of those contenders for it is The Fishwives Choir with their song When The Boat Comes In/Eternal Father.

The choir is made up of women from all over the country who are related to fishermen or those working in the fishing industry (officially the most dangerous occupation!) and they’ve delivered this ‘one off’ (we’ll see!) single to raise funds for The Fisherman’s Mission. You wouldn’t think that the two songs would mix well but it does with a simple melody playing underneath it (all sounding very maritime in sections) to cap it off.

Overall the track is delivered without the need of bells & whistles and is just the thing for the season. We’d love to see this if not at number 1 at least top 10! Go and support!

Rating: 5/5

(p.s. To read more about The Fishwives Choir, check their site here)

Rebecca Ferguson // I Hope

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2007 X Factor runner up Rebecca Ferguson releases the first single from her new album Freedom in the form of I Hope

Opening with a strong consistent drum and a little piano, I Hope reminds us a little of Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain though sadly the chorus lets the song down with it’s seemly consistent need to repeat the title several times in the chorus which is annoying by the end of the first set.

There’s potential here…if you can over look the annoyance of the chorus.

Rating:3/5

Leona Lewis // One More Sleep

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It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from Miss Lewis but now she’s making a return with a Christmas album and first offering from it is One More Sleep.

This sounds a bit more like Leona compared the last few releases that we’ve heard. It’s got that Motown feel and Lewis’ voice just seems to flow from one note to the other and there’s one heck of a note at the end of the bridge!

We think it’s got the markings of the next classic Christmas track and already ready to take it’s seat along with Slade, Mariah and the rest of the gang who pop up each year at this time of year.

Rating: 5/5