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Editorial Reviews
2CELLOS (Luka Sulic & Stjepan Hauser) became a worldwide YouTube sensation with their passionate, dueling cellos version of Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal. Their debut album is a thrilling collection of chart-topping rock and pop songs performed in their signature style from Guns N' Roses, U2, Coldplay and Kings of Leon, among others. Their follow-up single is an explosive version of the Guns N' Roses classic "Welcome to the Jungle" and the accompanying video is sure to create another viral phenomenon. Of the repertoire Stjepan says: "Both Luka and I love classical music and have studied it for years, but we are really excited to put our own take on classics by some of our favorite pop and rock artists."
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first heard of 2Cellos when Amazon Germany e-mailed me saying that their debut album was available for preorder. 2Who? 2Cellos, like violinist David Garrett before them, seek to blend classical with rock. Luka Šulic & Stjepan Hauser have lined up twelve songs ranging from U2 to Michael Jackson, Sting to NIN, even a dash of Guns n' Roses. However, what makes them unique from their competition is that these songs are totally unaccompanied other than Luka and Stjepan's blazing bows. That's right; no fancy orchestras, no studio wizardry, no overdubs...just...two cellos. If that sounds a little awkward, it really works in the context of most of the songs. Cellists Luka and Stjepan go beyond their classical roots and evoke any number of effects from their cellos, including rapid-fire bowing, pizzicato, and percussive slaps (think flamenco guitar). They bounce the melodies back and forth like a musical badminton match, seamlessly picking up lines from each other. The two have an amazing chemistry, even more so live (which is how they were first discovered after uploading one of their duets to YouTube and landing a guest spot on Ellen).
"Smooth Criminal" is obviously one of the most high-profile of the songs here, if only because David Garrett did a stellar violin cover on David Garrett (ditto for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on Rock Symphonies). As these tracks are all acoustic, it can't compete with the tension of the original recording (or the opening drums and strings on David's version of "Smooth Criminal"), but it holds its own (the opening aggressive bowing is kind of painful; imagine a cello with laryngitis, and that's the kind of tone they're pulling out in the intro). I actually thought Luka and Stjepan's cover of "Human Nature" was more impressive, capturing the soft, dreamy feel of the chorus. I preferred the slower songs like "Fragile" and "Hurt" more than the rock-influenced songs, but that's a personal preference.
Undoubtedly, there will be comparisons between David Garrett and 2Cellos, if not for the "stringed instruments play rock" angle then the similar (if not identical) song choices that both groups have recently recorded and performed. They're both young, very handsome, and a little edgy (2Cellos in particular both look like they could be the leads in The Vampire Diaries: The Complete First Season), all of which will appeal to a wider range of fans than a strictly classical repertoire would. Both groups pay homage to influential bands with slightly different approaches. I found the acoustic cello-centric approach fascinating; in the absence of studio effects, Luka and Stjepan are forced to create their own soundscapes using nothing more than the cello.
I really enjoyed their debut album, and look forward to hearing much more from 2Cellos in the near future!
"Smooth Criminal" is obviously one of the most high-profile of the songs here, if only because David Garrett did a stellar violin cover on David Garrett (ditto for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on Rock Symphonies). As these tracks are all acoustic, it can't compete with the tension of the original recording (or the opening drums and strings on David's version of "Smooth Criminal"), but it holds its own (the opening aggressive bowing is kind of painful; imagine a cello with laryngitis, and that's the kind of tone they're pulling out in the intro). I actually thought Luka and Stjepan's cover of "Human Nature" was more impressive, capturing the soft, dreamy feel of the chorus. I preferred the slower songs like "Fragile" and "Hurt" more than the rock-influenced songs, but that's a personal preference.
Undoubtedly, there will be comparisons between David Garrett and 2Cellos, if not for the "stringed instruments play rock" angle then the similar (if not identical) song choices that both groups have recently recorded and performed. They're both young, very handsome, and a little edgy (2Cellos in particular both look like they could be the leads in The Vampire Diaries: The Complete First Season), all of which will appeal to a wider range of fans than a strictly classical repertoire would. Both groups pay homage to influential bands with slightly different approaches. I found the acoustic cello-centric approach fascinating; in the absence of studio effects, Luka and Stjepan are forced to create their own soundscapes using nothing more than the cello.
I really enjoyed their debut album, and look forward to hearing much more from 2Cellos in the near future!
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By zigimaster
Format:Audio CD
I have been buying music for thirty years and can't get supprised very easely anymore. After listening to 2Cellos I had the stupid smile on my face for a week and I am not able to remove this CD from my car,home or office. It is so wonderful when people suprise you time and time again, just when you think you've heard it all. So not to overkill the point here, Stjepan and Luka I take my hat of to you and can't wait to see and hear some more of your remarkable talent.
Cello on!
Cello on!
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Music
I saw them on Fox and Friends and have been meaning to look them up. I was just searching and came across them. I only purchased "Where the Streets Have No Name", "With or Without You", "Use Somebody" and "Viva La Vida". I LOVE THIS!!! Again, it is amazing and fills me with such joy when I listen to these songs!! Buy these songs!! They are totally worth the money!!! These songs make me so happy in a time when I have been not so happy. It bears repeating: FREAKING AWESOME!!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great modern spin on cello music
I got this as a gift for my brother whose a cellist in his schools orchestra and he loved it.
Published 1 day ago by Asia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glorious. Beautiful.
I played this at work and numerous people who wouldn't choose something with classical instruments stopped to listen and said they really liked it. Read more
Published 1 day ago by J. DeHority
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's a good bet you'll love it.
Seems these days, I buy an album and end up really only listening to two or three songs from it. Not so with this album--I listen to every song regularly. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Clayton Belcher
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great CD
This is a great CD. I love their music. I look forward to some more CDs like this one so
Published 2 days ago by Mark Laming
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strings away
If one cello is great, the two cellos has to be twice as good, but it is even better than that. Get ready to sit back and have your ears tingle to the great strings. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Les Cooper
1.0 out of 5 stars
Do not like it.
I do not like it. it is not what I have expected. It's just noisy. I think a good music is something we want to listen it again & again. I don't think I want to play it again.
Published 14 days ago by rahee kang
5.0 out of 5 stars
love it!
I love 2cellos. Their classical music is amazing! when i reevied the cd in the mail it was in prefect condition, no scraches or cracks. thank you =)
Published 15 days ago by Morgan Martell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pandora listener
Very Cool!!! "Smooth Criminal", "Use Somebody", and even "Welcome to the Jungle". Love this whole CD. love it love it
Published 18 days ago by Mary
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great cellists crossing over
I think somebody at work sent me a link to them. I am an amateur cellist and involved in a variety of playing arrangements, but mostly the classics. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Arthur M. Royce
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great jams with a classical twist
I very much enjoy cello music, but tire of the same old classical songs. This cd totally rocks combining the classy sound of cellos with contemporary music that even my 8 year old... Read more
Published 20 days ago by musiclover
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