NOT THE CD OF THE WEEK:Best Classics 100 (EMI)
A reasonable collection of lollipops on six discs, each with its own theme, comprising a selection of edited highlights. And edited they are. On the first disc, Uplifting Classics, we find the first two and a half minutes of Rachmaninov’s Third Concerto — the last 12 minutes of the first movement were obviously insufficiently “uplifting”. Such questionable editing occurs frequently in these 100 tracks.
The discs are clear about what they have to offer: “relaxing classics”, “vocal classics” and “spiritual classics” adequately represent their contents. But the criteria of selection for “golden classics” and “favourite classics” are unclear. The former contains one of Bach’s Goldberg Variations arranged for harp, as well as the theme from Titanic. The latter has bits of Beethoven and the theme from Schindler’s List. The bulk of the recordings come from EMI’s back-catalogue, items first released in the EMI Redline Series.
There are some gems: performances by legendary conductor Sir Neville Marriner and violinist Yehudi Menuhin; Puccini’s Nessun Dorma performed by a young José Carreras; and the choir of King’s College performing Allegri’s Miserere, which almost makes one forget the gross neglect of so many other cornerstone pieces.
There may be much here that functions as a good introduction to classical music, but perhaps Best Classics 100 will be most useful to people looking for soundtracks for TV adverts.
Lostprophets: Start Something (Sony)
After the success of demo-turned-debut thefakesounsdofprogress, Lostprophets are back with a new release. A power-packed album, rooted in rock with branches in pop and metal — and a firm salute to Faith No More — Start Something shows Lostprophets can do the hardcore thing without being soft on the melodies. The album captures the energy of the band’s live performance in a tight package produced by Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Good Charlotte). It features current catchy singles Last Train Home and Make a Move, ending with an unexpected slice of bliss. This album sees Lostprophets replacing the nihilistic attitude of most of today’s nu-metal bands with a push to get up and start something. They sure did. — Nadia Neophytou
Tribalistas: Tribalistas (EMI)
They may not be known outside their home country of Brazil, but Marisa Monte, Arnaldo Antunes and Carlinhos Brown are three of the most acclaimed stars of the Brazilian contemporary music scene, coming together in a swirl of percussion and acoustics to harmonise about love, peace and carnivals. An impressive array of instruments feature — such as the music box, berimbau and glockenspiel — but it is the voices in collaboration that makes this album a welcome local release. — NN
Sarah McLachlan: Afterglow (BMG)
Afterglow is McLachlan’s return to the music world from a six-year hiatus, during which she lost her mother and had a daughter. Her voice is, as ever, a soothing balm, crisp and clear — though sometimes that voice is a little too perfect. McLachlan is still able to condense coping (Fallen) and commentary (World on Fire) into succinct phrases of verse, and for that, Afterglow deserves a warm reception. — NN