Peter Hollens // Peter Hollens

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Frequent visitors to this blog will know that we’ve featured some of Hollens’ singles. Well, now he’s only gone and got an album released on a major label!

Opening the album is I See Fire (of Ed Sheeran fame) which automatically reminds you that, for the majority if not all the tracks on this album are made using only voices. Next is a take on The Elder Scroll’s Skyrim theme fearuring another of this blogs favs, Lindsey Stirling, which is for one track features over 100 seperate tracks to produce the sound. A take on Jason Mraz’s song I Won’t Give Up, delivered with the same passion as heard in the original.

Next we head to Broadway for a Les Miserables Medley featuring Hollens’ wife Evynne before another collaboration, this time with Sabrina Carpenter in the form of the U2 classic, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. Things take a tender moment with the American folk song, Shenandoah before changing location for another folk song, this time from Ireland in the form of She Moved Through The Fair.

Hallelujah comes next and is a duet with Jackie Evancho (you might know her name if you watch America’s Got Talent) and leads into a duet with Brian Wilson (of Beach Boys fame) in Our Special Love. Back to the folk songs and first we have The Parting Glass that we’ve previously reviewed before he have Black Is The Colour of My True Love’s Hair featuring Avi Kaplan (of Pentatonix) on vocal duties as well.

Ashland’s Song is Peter’s own composition, written for his recent newborn son, and is a track that parents will no doubt be able to relate to. The final track on the album is Misty Mountains (as heard The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) and for us, we feel it leaves you waiting for more.

Overall, we find difficulty in finding fault with the album when you consider that it is all recorded using, for a number of them, just one voice. It would be easy to say ‘oh but he’s already released some tracks individually’ (which he has and the majority can be bought over on Loudr) but ignoring that fact, this album is quite a nice introduction into Peter’s world particularly for those who may not be as familiar with his works. That said, it’s also a nice collection for fans as some of the songs featured are from the fan favourite videos. We, meanwhile wait to see what next in store.

Rating: 5/5

Brian Wilson & Various Artists // God Only Knows

 
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It’s not long until that time of the year again, and yes, we are talking about Children In Need, so it’s time to cue the singles to aid in the fundraising effort.

The track (a cover of the Beach Boys classic, God Only Knows) isn’t only a fundraising single but also launching BBC Music. In similar tone to the 1997 single, Perfect Day, this single features a plethora of performers with the likes of Emeli Sande, Lorde, Elton John, Chris Martin (of Coldplay), Florance (without her Machines), Kylie, Pharrell and more, each taking a line of the track as well as having Brian Wilson shown playing the piano and singing two of the lines (one being the final of the track which seems appropriate)

This isn’t a bad track and considering the number of different voices on the single, it does work well and is one that will probably appeal to all ages. And it’s for charity too so it’s doing some good too.

Rating: 5/5

Jedward // Ferocious

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It’s been a few years since we’ve crossed paths with Jedward (our last outing being just before the 2011 Eurovision song contest) but we’ve just come across the newest single from their fourth album (titled Free Spirit) called Ferocious.

It’s in the streams of pop and dance. But the vocals sound more mature than our last crossing. And maybe that’s in part that the song was inspired by fans who letters about their problems. And in true agony…uncle(?) style, the following lyrics are found: Life is never easy/Don’t ever pack it in/Deal with all the highs and lows/ Don’t let them say you can’t.

To be honest, it actually a decent track although we do have a small issue with the repetitive nature of part of the chorus (Ferocious/Ferocious/I will be ferocious) which does fell a wee bit like they couldn’t think of anything else to put here.

Maybe the boys have turned a new leaf. Only time will tell.

Rating: 3.5/5

Jonathan Antoine // Tenore

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It’s just been short of a year since Jonathan’s last outing with then partner in music, Charlotte (who herself released her own album this year too) but now it’s time for Jonathan to take centre stage with his own solo outing in the form of Tenore.

The opening tracks do sort of set the tone & style for the album, that being quite operatic and it shows with the likes of La donna è mobile from Rigoletto, followed by
Torna a Surriento & Nel blu, dipinto di blu (Volare) (though we’re used to hearing this at a slightly quicker tempo!)

Be My Love is the first track that we get to hear Antoine put that voice through English before head back into Italian with Parla Più Piano  followed by Panis Angelicus
& Una furtiva lagrima from L'elisir d'amore

So Deep is the Night (Arranged from Chopin's Tristesse, Etude Op. 10/3) brings things back to a slightly lighter tone before to head into a little bouncy track with Arrivederci, Roma. Fanfare is called for with Core 'ngrato as well as with Granada before ending the album on a high with Love Changes Everything from Aspects of Love with a simple piano accompaniment leading in.

Overall, this album seems to suit Jonathan and feels much more natural than what we’ve heard in previous outings. Once again we can hear him growing in confidence and utilising that powerful voice. There are still some moments where he is a little rough but these are few and far between and just shows that he still has some things to learn. But that aside, the arrangement of the tracks have been sympathetic to his voice with neither drowning the other at any point.

Some may see the tracks as safe but to us, this album says, this is me. We look forward to seeing where or maybe what Jonathan gets up to in the future

Rating: 4/5

Kitty Brucknell // Glitter in the Sky

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Do you remember Kitty? She was a semi-finalist in the 2011 series of The X Factor. Now 3 years on and she’s ready to release her debut single.

We just don’t know where to begin and, in some instances, we think the song feels a bit like that too. It reminds us a lot of the Rod Stewart track Young Turks with lyrics that just seem randomly strung together. It is a shame too, because comparing this to her other track that she’s released on her YouTube channel, Chains, it feels that this song doesn’t really showcase her vocals

Maybe this track is just to get people talking about her ahead of her album, Glamour & Damage, release at the end of the month.

Rating: 1/5

Hudson Taylor // Chasing Rubies

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We’ve never came across these Dublin based duo but there is something about their release, Chasing Rubies, that caught our attention. It’s got a bit of a folk-pop feel to it and in ways, reminds us a little of Razorlight’s America but more quicker tempo and an Irish accent.

Beautiful melodies & wonderful harmonies make this a track to look out.

Rating: 4/5

One Direction // Steal My Girl

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Some you win and some you lose, that’s how we’ve come to see the One Direction boys when it comes to singles. Despite our ups and downs with the lads, we always like to come back and see what they’re going to offer up next. After seeing them in a new light with Story of my Life we thought we’d have a gander at the latest offering, Steal My Girl.

Alas, any hope of a more mature soon so far seems to have been dashed. This latest offering feels more album material rather than single material though we’ll allow it to be pulled out for concert performances because we reckon that it will definitely get a sing along. But in general, it feels a little too Westlife-esque and a bit of a slip from where they were headed.

One could hope that this is just a minor slip up and that the next release from the forthcoming album, simple titled Four, gets them back on track.

Rating: 2/5

The Vamps // Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart)

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We remember looking at the track listing for The Vamps album, seeing this and thinking, ‘a cover…ok, we’ll let you have that’.

But thing about Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart) is that it only really borrows two things from the original Simon & Garfunkle track, simply titled Cecilia, that being the chorus and, in part, the rhythm. Apart from that the lyrics are original and in one way, probably bring a 70s song up to date and exposing it to a new audience. It’s their track whilst keeping elements of the original and for us not a bad track.

Rating: 4/5

Justice Crew // Que Sera

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This is the first time that we came across the Australian group who originally started out as a dance crew.

Que Sera won’t take long to get stuck in your head, particularly the chorus. For us, it feels a bit like the 90s. We hear tinges of then boy band 5ive but also, more recently reminded of Lady Gaga’s Alejandro. From what we understand, this is a new direction for the boys, so there will maybe be those who aren’t fans of it. For us, we like it & look forward to see where else the boys go

Rating 4/5

Meghan Trainor // All About That Bass

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In a world where body shape is everything, and where the PhotoShop is the answer to (almost) everything, surely no one would speak out about it?

Well, obviously Meghan Trainor didn’t get that memo as her debut release is all about loving yourself no matter if you fit the norm of not. But back to the song. It’s one of these that feels it samples a little bit from every genre but it all works seamlessly…oh and once it’s in your head you’ll probably find yourself singing along with the chorus.

One worries though that given this week it made UK chart history by entering the chart purely on airplay before being released, will this become one of those songs that is quickly hated across the land…

Rating: 3/5

Jessie Ware // Say You Love Me

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We last featured this artist back in 2012 but we recently stumbled upon her latest release, Say You Love Me.

Ware’s soulful voice rings clear in this heartfelt love song. Love song yes, but what we’d call double sided: it’s a more modern song but at the same time, it has almost a lullaby quality to it. All the elements here are in balance and work harmoniously, working in a gradual build to it’s climax before ending as it started.

A beautiful offering from the Brixton lass and worth a listen

Rating: 5/5

The Queen Extravaganza @ O2 ABC Glasgow, 18th September 2014

Just short of a year ago, the Queen Extravaganza came to Scotland on their first tour of the UK. Now, they were back in the same venue to rock Glasgow again.

Once again, the stage was covered by the large curtain baring the Queen coat of arms. In the build up (and while the audience was still filing into the venue) the instrumentals of Made In Heaven and The Prophet's Song played in the background. It wasn't long until the curtain dropped and it was straight into Tie Your Mother Down and Don't Stop Me Now, the audience joining in with the singing.

Lead singer Marc Martel welcomes the audience on what is a historic night for Scotland...with the Queen Extravaganza returning to Glasgow. Without missing a beat, the band head into a medley of tracks of Save Me, The Seven Seas of Rye, Killer Queen and Hammer to Fall. Marc leaves the stage allowing the remaining members Francois-Olivier Doyon (Bass), Nick Radcliffe (guitar), Tyler Warren (drums) & Brandon Ethridge (keyboards) to perform Dragon Attack with Warren on vocals.

Marc returns to the stage with guitar in hand for a performance of Crazy Little Thing Called Love before heading into a tale of starting this current UK tour on Freddie Mercury's birthday and how this next track was being dedicated to him. Cue a beautiful rendition of Love of My Life, again with the audience joining in and Martel encouraging it. How do you follow that? With the great A Kind of Magic of course.

Next is tracks from the album A Night At The Opera starting with the beauvaugard track Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon before once again giving the stage to drummer Tyler for the song I'm in Love With My Car. Before the next track, Marc admits that he first heard the next track back in the 90s thanks to a film. That film was Wayne's World and the song of course is Bohemian Rhapsody. After this fan favourite follows another in the guise of Under Pressure which see musical director and keyboardist Brandon Ethridge joining in vocal duties taking on David Bowie's sections of the track and it works well.

I Want It All & Another One Bites the Dust come up next before Tyler Warren gives one of his drums solo merging seamlessly into Ogre Battle & Stone Cold Crazy. I Want to Break Free is next up after this followed by Radio Ga Ga which involves a little bit of participation from the audience in a vocal challenge. Glasgow's so used to these that they probably have a gold medal in it. Before the next track, Marc pay tribute to Brian May and how he was the deep thinker of the group and that reflected in his song writing...And from there it's into Fat Bottomed Girls. And finally, it's Somebody to Love with more audience participation in the harmonies (and sounding beautiful too!)

Of course that's not the end of the show. No and appropriately, the next track for the show is The Show Must Go On. And to round it off with We Will Rock You & We Are the Champions.

This time around was different from their last outing in Glasgow. Gone is Jennifer Espinoza and Nick Radcliffe was in place of Brian Gresh so there was a bit of a difference in sound but to no detriment of the show that was offered. It's always a great night out and great tribute to the music that is Queen. And despite what else was happening elsewhere in Scotland, the only mandate being agreed on in the O2 ABC that night was the the Queen Extravaganza rocked.

Photos (c) Vhari Lannigan