Customer Reviews

Classified [US Version]

5 star:		(62)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

What I am about to part is Classified information, info on Bond's third studio album that is. The foursome have not departed from their tried and true formula of strings and pop syrup of oontsa-oontsa techno beats and drum machines. Granted, there are some triple digit BPM numbers, but when it comes down it, this has been ground already covered in full on Born and Shine, their first two albums, and much better.

The allegro, rhythmic and symphonic cadence of the action movie-theme of "Explosive" opens the album, showing a strong opening track that later closes the album.

However, the upbeat and Latin-flavoured "Samba," replete with whistles and vocals from the ladies, a first for them, veers more to conventional pop-techno, the strings being more or less classical window-dressing. They also cover the Silver Convention's classic disco standard "Fly Robin Fly," and violinist Eos Chater and cellist Gay-Yee Westerhoff do some singing there, but why bother doing a retread scarcely distinguishable from the original?

If the slow, dreamy rhythm of "Midnight Garden" is familiar, it's because Bond is using the melody from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, the Danse de Cygnes segment. However, in looking at the writing credits, I see to my horror that Piotr Ilyich is NOT credited whatsoever, which is also the case for his "Waltz Of The Flowers" from the Nutcracker in "Dream Star." Oh, but there's more. Their upbeat and skirt-swishingly danceable "Hungarian" is taken from Johannes Brahms' gypsy-like Hungarian Dance No. 5 given the drum machine backbeat, and "Senorita," which incorporates the slow, measured ballet-like "Habanera" melody from Bizet's Carmen. A selection from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite serves as the inspiring melody for "Dream Star." And the dreamy and pleasant "Lullaby" is a reworking of Pachelbel's Canon in D, uncredited again! Now that rap artists are required to give credit to music and lyric samples, one would think Bond would know better, given that classical crossover acts such as Sarah Brightman, Charlotte Church, Hayley Westenra, and Myleene Klass have done so. And Bond did too on their first two albums. What happened here?

Their foray into Middle Eastern sounds first explored in Shine continues in "Scorchio" which has some vivacious symphonic strings of a Liszt or Brahms sound, and the soaring "I'll Fly Away" written by cellist Westerhoff.

At least they gave credit where credit was required in "Adagio For Strings," which sprinkles random techno noises on Samuel Barber's funereal piece that in its pure form might lead one to start turning on the gas oven if one isn't of hale heart and mind. "Highly Strung" incorporates Aram Khachaturian's "Saber Dance," itself a dizzying whirling dervish of adrenaline, with some Duane Eddy-sounding surf guitar.

I don't mind the reworking of classical tunes with techno and electronic drum fills. My main issues with this involves proper credit, which if not given, becomes plagiarism-simply signifying "Copyright Control" in the credits, just does not do-and a sound, which is vivacious, soaring, and infectious, that nevertheless doesn't show much evolution from their first two albums. The only thing that shows evolution is their transition to FHM or Maxim models with a sickly magazine gloss on the album cover and inner sleeve, as if someone sprayed something on the ladies, which sadly detracts from the fact that they are talented string players. Summer dresses and bikinis, fair enough, but lose that model gloss! Something more innovative next album, okay?

I have been a fan of Bond since seeing them perform Viva on the Classical Brits back in... must have been 2002 and Born is one of my all time Favourite Albums. Shine was also enjoyable, but there seemed to be a trend towards more "background" music in the foreground, than Bond.

Now comes Classified and where are Bond? Great job Production Team, you put the girls so far down in the mix that we can barely hear them. Look, I don't buy Bond Albums to listen to how clever some producer has been adding overdubs and special effects. I buy Bond albums to listen to BOND! This is NOT a proper Bond album, even though a couple of the tracks are enjoyable (Adagio for strings, Explosion, Midnight Garden), but some tracks are just plain rubbish - Highly Strung is the worst! Where is Bond in this track????

Sorry, please consign this experiment to the bin and go back to how you made music on Born.

My introduction to this type of music started with violinist extraordinaire, Vanessa Mae in 1990's. The fusion of techno, pop and serious classical was a breath of fresh air, and Bond soon found its way into the long list of my favorites. The classically trained flutist in me loves the serious backbone in this music but the poppy/dance movie like melodies mesh so well that it morphs into a wonderful crossover. The violins, viola and cello here are throbbing with passion, excitement and fresh, new vibrancy. If I am sitting down when listening to this, my feet are always tapping whether I know it or not, but this is really appropriate for just about any activity. Those familiar with the classical pieces that were used and embellished on will enjoy the new take on old favorites.

Fans of Pachelbel's Canon will adore "Lullaby" it's sweet and romantic. I always feel as if I was at a spring wedding on some exotic locale whenever I hear it.

"Dream Star" in my mind it sounds like sunset and then sunrise somewhere warm where the air is thick and views stunning.

"I'll Fly Away" is simply amazing, when this stars playing I get goosebumps, it just sounds like a journey under a starry sky in Morocco, riding a camel wile the cool wind blows through the hair.

"Hungarian" makes me thing of goulash and jumping over fires! Fun, crazy piece with some trance mixed in.

"Adagio for Strings" done with drums and synthesizer - lovely and moving, also really well done as a trance piece by DJ Tiesto - fyi for the fans of the melody.

"Explosive" just like the name suggests it's not a shy piece; it was used during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Those familiar with the classical pieces that were used and embellished on will enjoy the new take on old favorites. Every time I hear this CD it makes me happy, I can't wait for their new album coming out this year.

- Kasia S.

I am a big fan of the Bond girls. I play "Born" and "Shine" all the time, and never tire of them. That said, I was disappointed with their latest effort. Whereas before, I viewed them as classical with a little techno thrown in, it seems to me that Bond has become all techno with a smattering of classical. Instead of their instruments being the star, it 's almost as if the instruments are afterthoughts to the booming synthesizer beat. Some of the tracks on this CD are decent, but overall, I find it unmemorable. Perhaps with a few more listens I will come to love it as much as I do "Born" and "Shine".

I love Bond. Make no mistake about it. Their first two albums were incredible. You could hear their instruments, get into the techno, and enjoy an all around musical experience. "Classified" is an album that seems to go in the complete and opposite direction. It is loud, filled with techno/background noise, and the girls talents are lost in the mix. "Lullaby" is an awesome take on Cannon in D. The wailing woman in the background destroys the mood of the song and really takes away from the promise that is there. I'm so dissapointed that the girls went from classical with a twist, to a twist with some classical. I hope their next album is better than this one. Would I tell my friends to go buy it? I would let them listen to my copy, and make up their own minds as to whether or not they like the spin the group has taken. If you ask me, it was a wrong turn, and the next time around, hopefully, they'll ask for directions and get back on track.
LittleBayou@hotmail.com

As other reviewers have noted, Bond's latest, "Classified" is disappointing in many ways. To me, it is an unfortunate continuation of the decline that started with the James Bond Theme cut on "Shine", and gathered speed on the "Remixed" album. While I have found that I disliked a cut or two an various albums I've purchased, and made a selected edit CD containing only the tracks I enjoyed, when I listened through "Classified", I found only two tracks that I'd care to listen to on a regular basis - "Scorchio" and the second mix of "Explosive"... not enough to make a listenable CD! As others have noted, the tracks on this CD are severely over-produced - there are some tracks where it is hard to discern when Bond is actually contributing! If you want to hear modern interpretations of music by a fantastic rock string quartet, this CD is a waste of your time and money. Loose the drum machine, the vocal "noise", the non-melodic looping, the pounding guitar, and bring Bond to the forefront, and maybe the next album will be worth buying. Check out the producers and mixers on the tracks versus the early Bond...

When Bond first appeared with their album 'Born', they represented a new wave of classical artists who were trying to make classical contemporary. 'Victory' was not only a song that became popularised through the soundtrack of 'Gladiator'; it also represented the kind of lush orchestral vibrancy that made Bond unique. All in all, Bond was a group of four extremely talented young women who openly flaunted their musical pedigrees and who were out to make classical music exciting once more.
Since then Bond seem to have lost their way. Their third album 'Classified' follows in the direction of second album 'Shine', with its techno inspired beats and the girls' revamped image. This makes for a very catchy pop album with the usual visual selling points, but its a mainstream avenue that seems miles away from Bond's credible beginnings.
Maybe they're having the last laugh with the stuffy elites of the classical world, but by following the crowd in sound and presentation, Bond aren't only gambling their identity, they're also letting their musical talent be glossed over. 'Classified' is certainly impressive as a pop album, and tracks such as 'Explosive', 'Senorita' and 'Hungarian' are catchy and vibrant. There's also a dominant Latin feel to the album that gives the music great dimension. It's also a treat to hear four tracks composed by each of the Bond girls, and one can only wish that there were more, especially as the album is a disappointing 45 minutes long. There are also some very familiar sounds: 'Lullaby', 'Samba', and the much-covered 'Adagio for Strings' are all reworked, but not enough to evince any sense of an inimitable Bond style.
If you're expecting a return to Bond's early work, then you're going to feel a bit cheated. However, if you can look through the commercial veneer of the album, some of that captivating musical talent still shines through.

Also Recommended: MEHDl~Instrumental Heaven... A True Gem...Full Samples Are At S00THINGMUSIC,C0M ..Just Listen !

I'll get this bit out of the way first: If you just heard about Bond from a friend or you stumbled across them, look at their first album 'Born'.

I'll admit, when I first listened to 'Born', I didn't dig the classical sound too much. The intros are slow-paced like real classical music, and the first really good song is on Track 5. But having listened to 'Shine' and now this album, I have to say I liked their original sound much better.

There's so much processing applied to these tracks that the ladies have taken a backseat to a SYNTHESIZER BEATBOX. It's obscene, and totally incorrect to boot, for the real musicians to get tossed in the background while some skinny, pasty recording engineer gets to pile layer after layer of samples and synth and...whatever else they use, ultimately smothering both the ladies' skill and the classical songs they're playing.

Don't buy this CD. Maybe you could go to their website www.bond-music.com and tell them to get their priorities in line.

Oh, Wow!
This is a cd that will be liked by all who enjoy Twelve Girls Band , Mehdi, Adiemus, Mythos or even Opera Babes. It must be fairly new, because before this week I haven't run across it before, but it is the very essence of good new age. So tranquil, yet so spirited (and gorgeous coverart!), this cd is a refreshing break from my well-worn collection, I just keep wanting to listen to it over and over again. I am amazed!
It reminds me somewhat of Vanessa Mae, but still very unique. This is music to the soul. Absolutely relaxing, as well.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: Mehdi ~ Instrumental Imagery Volume 3 ..Truly a Gem...Samples are at SoothingMusic.Com...Just Listen.

So the day finally came when classified was released. I even special ordered my copy and went to pick it up after work, only to be totally disappointed at the quality of the album. (...) I can see why... I dont know if they lost a certain composer or what...but the album is really lacking quality. The only track that is worth listening to is Explosive and not the remixed version. Normally, it takes me forever to listen to the entire album because each song is so good that I just keep playing it over and over again until I move onto the next, but when I popped this cd in, I listened to Explosive then skipped through the entire album...my immediate thoughts were "this is utter crap". Every track is filled with machine maniuplated sounds...special effects...where are the strings? You barely even distinguish if you are listening to Bond or some Dj machine...I felt like this album was made for Justin Timberlake or Britney Spears to dance to...they lost the special quality they had on the first two albums...the ability to mix real classical music with a twist...this album is seriously just dancing music, club/rave style...on Born they had a couple of special effect songs such as Victory, but you can still hear the strings...and the rest of the album was amazing..especially *Duel and Kismet...Gay Yee's cello playing was magnifique and Korobushko was just brilliant. If you watch the concert at Royal Albert Hall, you get chills down your spine when they play that one. On the second album Shine, (my favorite album by far), the track, Shine itself was awesome, especially the part in the middle where you feel like your spirits are lifted off the ground with their violin playing, and other favorites Strange Paradise and my favorite *Big Love Adagio...you really feel the strings being played....Gypsy Rhapsody and Libertango are also very good and shows off the skills of the artists...and of course you have your filler with special effects Bond on Bond...but on Classified...every track is pretty much a filler...a remade song..such as Lullaby..I love Canon...but what totally ruined it was the special rain dropping effect they added...and I dont even want to talk about Samba or Fly Robin Fly...just horrible, its as if this these tracks were composed for the dance dance revolution video games...you know those japanese dancing games you see at the arcades? yea that one..DDR...comes out with those fast paced crazy ass music for people to do crazy moves to... Scorchio is decent..because you can actually hear the instruments being played. Im really disappointed with this album, I felt as if I purchased a remix album. I see it like this, when you cook a dish, you want a high quality outcome, so all you need is 3-4 really good ingredients to make a really good dish. This cd however, was filled with preservatives, artificials, and unnatural flavorings. Bond, please go back to your roots. Even the cover inside was cheap, the pictures werent as good as the first 2 albums and the Thank-you's were lumped into one. It made it seem as if they really crunched out this cd within a month.

All in all, it comes down to this...If you are a first timer, and have never really heard of Bond and their work, I would highly suggest you purchase the first 2 albums. If you are a Bond fan, like myself, you will purchase this album no matter what, just to add to your collection and to support them. This is my favorite group and I even got tixs to their concert, I was really looking forward to it, but now that I've heard what's going to be played, Im less excited. I hope they play some of their old songs. Instead of being wowed by Bond's skills, I'll just pretend Im at a rave or club.