Into The Rush [CD/DVD] [ENHANCED] [EXTRA TRACKS] [DELUXE EDITION]

Aly & AJ

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 8, 2006)
• Original Release Date: August 8, 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Enhanced, Extra tracks, Deluxe Edition
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B000GFRJ2G
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #37,279 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
You don't have to have a sister to score a hit on the pop charts, but sometimes it sure does help. At a time when the Simpson, Spears, Duff, and Lohan girls are steadily oozing sisterly love across teen magazine spreads and whatever other medium will have them, sending a pair of tight-harmonizing teen queens into the studio to take on the world together makes a certain sort of business sense. Never mind, for a moment, that it's the kind that generally turns the stomach of music snobs, because the girls appointed to the task--Aly & AJ (full names: Alyson and Amanda Joy Michalka)--display genuine vocal talent. Aly, the star of the Disney Channel's Phil of the Future and AJ, a sometime presence on shows such as Six Feet Under and General Hospital, already lit up the soundtrack to Now You See It (a Disney Channel Movie) with their rendition of the '60s chestnut "Do You Believe in Magic," and Into the Rush arrives as solid reinforcement. Leadoff track "Rush" pelts listeners with a feel-good, sweet-sounding salvo on keeping it real, "Speak for Myself" aims itself insouciantly at stifling parents, and "I Am One of Them" takes down the self-importance factor a notch by addressing the issue of missing children. That all these songs save the last two ("Do You Believe In Magic" and another can't-miss '60s fave, "Walking On Sunshine") were written by Aly & AJ bodes well for them--Hilary Duff started writing and singing at Hollywood Records, too. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description
The energy and spirit the sisters Aly & AJ's bring to their music colors the entire album Into The Rush. Aly and AJ worked with a variety of producers on Into The Rush including some of the music industry's biggest. "We've learned a lot from all of them," says Aly of the producers. "Some things we like...some things we don't like. It's all a part of the process. It's important that we have our own voice and that our emotions are a part of all of our music. This is why we're working with different producers, so that we can experience different ideas."

Their first single may have been the classic cover "Do You Believe In Magic," but the sisters have written all of the songs on this. And though they may be young teens, when it comes to writing songs, they aim high. "We want our songs to be fun, but we also want to write about deeper issues that make people think and issues that we can all relate to in one way or another," says AJ.

Aly and AJ's song "I Am One of Them" tackles the tough subject of child kidnappings. They want to bring awareness by encouraging kids to look out for one another and use precautions and safety measures to empower them. AJ contributed a track called "Protecting Me," a song featured in a "Phil of the Future" episode, which addresses the vulnerable nature of being a kid today. Says Aly: "We want to let kids know they have the power to protect themselves and one another." Aly and AJ have also written songs that address the issues of relationships, heartaches, staying true to yourself and celebrating your own uniqueness.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Talent, August 23, 2006

By	D. Wong - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First off, ignore everyone that says Aly & AJ are just another spawn off of the Disney entertainment congolmerate. Though one of the sisters, Aly, started her mainstream career on Disney Channel's TV show "Phil of the Future" and then created this album with her sister Amanda, you should know that these girls have been involved in the world of music since a very young age. Unlike some of the Disney spawns who just randomly decide "hey, I think I want to sing", Aly & AJ have had their time coming. They have been writing songs since a very young age. In fact, all but 3 of the songs on the album were written or co-written by them.

You should probably know that I am 21 years old, way outside of the target demographic, but that is changing. I was first exposed to their music when my sister dragged me to Disneyland last August to see them perform live. Like most, I had the pre-conceived image in my head of Disney girls gone singers. Boy was I wrong. The first I ever heard from them was "Rush" live, followed by some more songs off of the album. I was so impressed that I bought the original copy of the CD almost instantly.

I myself have seen them perform live 6 times as well as met them, and I can honestly say that they are real. Live performances have no pre-recorded or lipsynched elements to it. They are real on stage. Guitars are played, songs are sung, and it sounds beautiful. It's a shame in recent times, many idols of their target teenage girl have fallen victim to presentation rather than talent. I say, the more talent you have, the better presentation will be given anyways.

On that note: even if you do have the original copy of "Into the Rush", I HIGHLY recommend buying the upgrade. I already owned the original, as well as the Japanese Import and I didn't hesitate one moment to buy the Deluxe Edition. If anything the song "Chemicals React" is worth it. When the song first debuted, it totally blew me away. The other new song "Shine" is also another one of their amazing surprises. Though not my favorite (but far from my least favorite) song, I felt like this song was sort of like dipping their feet into the pool before diving in. A way to gauge the response to the somewhat different style to see if they want to keep steering that direction. I say go for it.

The remixes of "Something More" and "Collapsed" also give a new feel to the album. "Something More" feels more hard than its original counterpart. More agressive chords, and lively beats are used in the chorus as well as throughout the song. By a pretty good margin, I do have to admit that "Collapsed" has been improved quite a bit. I was already a huge fan of the song before, but this remixed version gives new meaning to the song. It starts out roughly the same, but soon after a pseudo 80's style band backs up the vocals instead of the more hardcore sound of the original. I love the diversity the song has as well as the unorthodox-ness of the whole layout of the song.

If you were too lazy to read that whole review just read this.
BUY THE ALBUM

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!, August 9, 2006

A Kid's Review

Aly and AJ have done it again! This CD is soooo amazing! There are 3 new songs on it (Never Far Behind, Chemicals React, and Shine). There are 2 remixes (Collapsed and Something More). There is a bonus fold out poster which has a great picture of Aly and AJ on it. All the songs have positive messages and are easily relatable. You can really tell these sisters have a passion for their music and for life. They have so much energy, creativity, and talent and each song conveys that. I love this CD and recommend it to anyone!!!!!!!!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Aly & AJ's Newest CD Is a Hit!, August 26, 2006

A Kid's Review

After buying this cd I wondered if it was really worth the buy. I was worried that I wouldn't be interested in all the songs. (I had only really gotten this cd cause it had Chemicals React on it.) But I was wrong! This cd completely blew me away! Every song has a message on it! Also every song is kid-friendly and is uplifting. It sorta makes you want to dance and sing along to it! Here's the track listing:

1.Chemicals React-1000/5 stars
2.Shine-5/5 stars
3.Never Far Behind-5/5 stars
4.Something More-4.3/5 stars
5.Collapsed-4/5 stars
6.Rush-5/5 stars
7.No One-4.8/5 stars
8.On The Ride-5/5 stars
9.In A Second-4.7/5 stars
10.Speak For Myself-4.9/5 stars
11.Out of the Blue-5/5 stars
12.I Am One of Them-5/5 stars
13.Sticks and Stones-4.8/5 stars
14.Protecting Me-5/5 stars
15.Slow Down-4.8/5 stars
16.Do You Believe In Magic-5/5 stars
17.Walking On Sunshine-5/5 stars

Overall: 4.9 stars
This is a GREAT cd! If your thinking of buying it BUT IT! You won't be sorry:)