Customer Reviews

Escala

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The comparisons between "Bond" and "Escala" are inevitable and well covered in other Amazon reviews--each group is a "pop" string quartet consisting of four beautiful and talented young musicians. Although I enjoy the work of both groups, I find Escala's work to be more intense and haunting.

Bond often offers a cheerful, upbeat interpretation of the piece they are playing--not a bad thing, but a little different from what Escala does. Escala displays a darker and, to me at least, more moving sensibility. Pieces like "Requiem for a Tower," "Sarabande," and "Adagio for Strings" are powerful and intense, and you can get a sense of what I mean just by listening to Amazon's sampler for this album. My favorite track is the quartet's relentless version of "Palladio", the piece composed by Karl Jenkins (of Adiemus fame) for de Beer's "Diamonds are Forever, People are Just Shadows" commercials. To hear how Escala differs from Bond, compare each group's version of "Kashmir," the Led Zeppelin standby.

I'm looking forward to future offerings from Escala and highly recommend this CD!

Been there, done that as they say. Trevor Horn/Escala are Mike Batt/Bond wanna-be's but it's a good effort none the less. All the sales hype about new and refreshing, etc., etc., is exactly that - sales hype. Classical-cross over has been around for a while and this is not new. Bond is the biggest selling string quartet of all time and if Escala is your first foray into the genre and you enjoyed it; you'll love Bond. Explosive is their "greatest hits" - start there. I give it 4 stars because I do enjoy the album, but as I said, nothing new here. As a matter fact, most of these tracks have been done by Bond.

There are several all female string quartets out there, but as for music, this one is the cream of the crop. I like their careful blend of classical style and modern, without the drone of dance style music. There is a good mix of soft and loud, slow and fast music. I also like that I can hear all of the stings due to the really good music arrangements. I cant wait for their next CD to come out and even better yet if they will go on tour.

I happened to stumble upon their Britain's Got Talent audition and have been hook ever since. The CD is WONDERFUL. I cannot stop listening to it. There is not one song I do not like. Very rare in the CD world. They have moved me to being very proud of them, even if I am in the USA! Wonderful, is not even adequate. I am a fan forever.

Very exciting music! It rocks!
I am not educated in music, but I do like a wide variety of genres. I really enjoy this whole CD, especially PALLADIO and KASHMIR. I would call it Classical Rock.
I did get a BOND CD Explosive: The Best of Bond, since it was reviewed as being better. I thought there to be much more variety in the sound of the songs in ESCALA.

Great music that can be enjoyed by every generation! This CD is exciting and fresh.Escala

I absolutely loved this CD... Escala is amazing; the girls have done a wonderful job compiling an extraordinary classical crossover album. Much of my own musical background is in classical music, and it was a pleasure to hear a string quartet in a modern context. In fact, I enjoyed this album so much that it was the only playlist I listened to for nearly three weeks! The layers of melody and harmony are beautiful--superb!--and I look forward to more of this excellence from Escala.

This album of Escala is wonderful!! These women are amazing musicians and their album is very relaxing and beautiful!! Well worth checking into for yourself!!!! (I think the British have talent, too!)

I didn't know who they were until I saw them on Oprah and then I couldn't wait to get their CD. I even made sure to put the release date on my calendar. Their music is the kind that gives you goose bumps when you hear it. The power behind it really takes your breath away and I honestly can't wait to hear what they do next! Buy it today and broaden your musical horizons!! I've never posted a review for anything else up to this point, that's how strongly I feel about them.

Yes, you've heard most of these tunes performed by others, but this cd.... WOW. I'd suggest buying the mp3's so you can immediately transfer them over to your mp3 player for enjoyment during your walk or workout. Escala's presentation of the classical pieces is breathtaking. Crank it up and enjoy. You won't be disappointed.