McAlmont & Nyman
The Glare
Review Date: 11 November 2009
Celebrated composer Michael Nyman teams up with acclaimed soul singer David McAlmont to create a fusion of classical music, pop and soul, which is innovative and intriguing if not always successful.
You may not know the name Michael Nyman, but you certainly know his music. Having composed scores for films like 'The Piano' and the recent Oscar winning documentary 'Man On Wire', as well as countless operas, concerti and chamber music, Nyman's music has succeeded burrowing its way into the public consciousness. Now Nyman has joined forces with British soul singer and former Thieves frontman David McAlmont to add lyrical and vocal skill to his compositional mastery.
Lyrically, McAlmont took inspiration from everyday news stories to deliver subjects from 'assisted suicide' to 'reality television' to 'international jewellery heists', and though they're well accomplished, they're still often secondary to busy arrangements and McAlmont's own inimitable vocal style. That McAlmont wrote melody and lyrics over pre-existing Nyman compositions is evident, as the backing tracks sound complete already, while the vocals are often merely supplementary.
McAlmont's voice is at its most potent during The Glare's more forlorn, tender moments. Thus, gentle, graceful tracks like 'Secrets, Accusations and Charges', 'In Loas' and 'Fever Sticks and Bones' are the most powerful, perhaps because the orchestral arrangements don't overwhelm the vocals as they do on more sprightly numbers. For those that prefer Nyman's compositions in their purer form, The Glare ends with 17 minutes of instrumental 'Songs For Tony', where soft brass and wind surreptitiously twitch and blend.
The idea behind The Glare is a novel one, and where it works it can be quite compelling, but it doesn't always mesh in the right places.
Review by Jenny Mulligan : Agree/Disagree? Write a review... win iTunes Music vouchers!
Your Reviews
Sick of listening to our opinions? We suspected as much - that's why we want your opinion on movies, CDs, DVDs....anything in fact. Brave of us, we know. And what's even better is that your reviews can earn you Review Points and iTunes music vouchers or cinema tickets. So please, start telling us what YOU think.
Search Album Reviews
Over 2000 album reviews listed here...
Your Reviews...
OneRepublic - Waking Up
Great album -
Completely disagree with review. Tedder's vocals are very impressive and his range is excellent. The album could have... MOREReview published 4th February 2010
Ke$ha - Animal
A Good Star -
I belive Ke$ha will be a big star this year with her attitude and style but is there anything to back this up with,the... MOREReview published 3rd February 2010
OneRepublic - Waking Up
A Good Album -
This album shows off a range of talent that a lot of people might not have realised that One Republic have,they are... MOREReview published 5th February 2010
Esmee Denters - Outta Here
A Good Start -
This is the girl who has become a big hit after her singing was seen on Utube,it realy is like a rags to riches tale... MOREReview published 5th February 2010