5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Unoriginal song selection and boring arrangements, October 3, 2007
This review is from: Angelis (Audio CD)
I'm afraid I can't recommend this album as highly as all of the previous reviewers. I bought this album because I like the sound of children's voices; my CD collection features albums by groups like Libera and The Cottars, as well as young singers like Hayley Westenra and Chloe Agnew. I thought that this album would be similar. Unfortunately, the problem is that it is too similar to those other albums!
The kids sing fairly well (they're on key), but there didn't seem to be much emotion (I noticed this especially on songs like "Even Though You've Gone", which I would expect to be a little more... well, moving). That's not entirely the kids' fault, though. I don't think the selection of songs was very good. Seven out of the eleven songs have been covered by Hayley Westenra alone, and she did a better job. There are so many beautiful songs out there; to choose to cover songs that other people (quite recently) made famous doesn't seem like a very good decision. I also wasn't crazy about the arrangements. In what I'm assuming was an attempt to make all the songs sound ethereal, the producers ended up with an album of songs that sound boringly similar.
Will there be another album from Angelis? I suppose it all depends on when the boys' voices change. If there is another album, though, I hope the songs are chosen a little more carefully. And releasing a version in North America wouldn't hurt, either. I'm feeling a little annoyed after shelling out so much money for an import that didn't live up to my expectations!
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Uncreative and boring., November 4, 2007
This review is from: Angelis (Audio CD)
I write and produce children's CDs. Angelis is sung by children that were handpicked from many who auditioned for Simon Cowell of 'American Idol. After having purchased and enjoyed Simon's CDs by il Divo, I had high expectations for Angelis. However, I was very dissapointed. It is lackluster and boring. Every song has been given the same orchestral treatment. All of the songs are slow and dreamy, lacking in originality with very little harmony even with 6 children singing. They are singing old traditional songs, not written for children. They have good voices, though not exceptional. I'll probably not listen to it again. I feel like sending it back. I'm listening as I pen this review. Thank goodness the last song is getting ready to play. I kept listening, thinking the production and creativity would improve as it continued to play. It never did. The last song is 'Oh, Holy Night.' Nothing new there. The children are taking turns singing solos on each line. Oh no! on the last chorus, they added an adult choir...unusual and unnecessary. If their next production is 100% above this one, it will be worth buying.
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Magnificent, January 11, 2007
This review is from: Angelis (Audio CD)
Simon Cromwell has done it again. First Il Divo and now these talented young people. They truly sound like angels. Six magnificent children who will go a long way in music. They are amazing.
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