MyReviewer Best of 2012 - Part 5

Continuing our look back at what we thought was best during 2012, we look at our reviews for the last twelve months and see those we rated a 9 or 10. Today we have a look at music releases this past year.

Best of Bond: James Bond is exactly what it appears to be, some of the best tunes from our beloved British spy series over the years. David said, "these songs could stand up there as not just the best film music themes, but the best songs in general. It is doubtful whether you will be listening to them all the time, but if you want to get in the mood for the new film then listening to this will certainly do that."


Brilliant is the first album of new material in three decades from the classic line-up of seminal electro pioneers Ultravox. And what did Si think? You thought we were going to say it didn't you, well, he called it, "A worthy addition to the canon."

He prefixes that with, "In terms of where this album sits, it appears to me to be a worthy successor to Lament albeit a more mature album due to the length of time between the two and their subsequent experiences outside of the band. It's a testament to this album that it's been on rotation on my iPod since I've gotten it, making an instant impression on me rather than being a slow burner. And despite it not being being one of the core Ultravox albums, I can't see me getting bored of this modern successor any time soon, if ever."

David took a look at Cedar and Gold: Tristan Prettyman, the third album from the wonderful singer/songwriter. David found this, "a wonderful album, different to her previous work, but with echoes of that work which will not alienate her fans, but hopefully bring in more fans who will give her the fame that she has deserved all this time. It is doubtful that you will be playing much of this album during a party, but for those who like their lyrics thoughtful and their music ecletic then this is the album for you."

We don't just do pop here at the towers, thanks to resident expert Alan we also take a look at a lot of operatic and classical works. Here are various titles he rated highly this year, starting with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, about which he says, "Wheeldon certainly produces some very catching character pieces and ensemble routines yet there's not much on offer for those who enjoy long, lyrical passages of dance."

"The duet between Alice and Jack in Act II is certainly the closest you get to such as passage, and it's very effective and moving, yet perhaps comes a bit too late for those who may have an expectation of more of the same. Overall however, this is a thoroughly enjoyable DVD and is highly recommended."

The ballet title Frederick Ashton: Triple Bill also got high praise, and Alan ended his review with a discussion about the upcoming generation of dancers, "This DVD is recommended, not only to 'dip' into for the highlights of your choice, but more importantly because it shows, albeit briefly, the importance of passing down the knowledge and experience that began almost 100 years ago when Frederick Ashton saw Anna Pavlova dance in Peru. Since then, many people in the Royal Ballet have been chosen to create roles developed by the great man, and they, in turn, have passed on their experience and advice to younger models."

"It's a process any artistic company worth its salt should embrace, and just one of the reasons why The Royal Ballet is continually evolving and worth the respect of anyone who has even the slightest interest in keeping the arts flourishing in this country."

The opera Janacek: Jenufa, had this to recommend it, "Overall, this is an excellent performance of a work that is fairly prominent on this medium, and musically, it stands up well to the competition. It's a shame that my issues with the lighting and 'artifacts' got in the way of things, and it's a greater shame that there are no extras to speak of but I wouldn't let that put anyone off enjoying two of the greatest sopranos around today on top form."

Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria got a little bit of a downer as, "Extras are a little thin on the ground, being the obligatory 'Cast Gallery' and a short contribution from Dantone on the music. This is quite interesting, but I would have loved to have had more information as to how it was decided which parts of the original work were kept..."

"...These minor moans aside, this is an excellent disc which leaves you wanting more of Pergolesi's operatic work brought back to life as I'm sure there's plenty of wonderful music to be rediscovered."

Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress instigated the response, "For the record, Jurowski thinks it is a particularly Russian work (Lehtipuu describes it as “fish and chips and afternoon tea for a Russian conductor”) and says he has tried to make it sound as much, although I have to be honest and say that I didn’t really notice anything myself."

"Perhaps because Stravinsky’s neo-Classical music has to be delivered so precisely that it leaves little if no room to ‘be’ particularly Russian in the way Rachmaninoff can. A hugely entertaining DVD, which, despite my little asides, has surely got to take the top spot of all versions of the opera on disc. "

Whilst the opera title with possibly the most striking cover ever, Verdi: Macbeth, got top marks. Alan said, "It would be good to see other versions, productions of this opera now, if only to be able to understand some of the later changes Verdi made for Paris which we have here (minus the obligatory ballet music the Parisian public demanded in most stage works of this type), as he initially thought the earlier draft was one of the greatest things he had written. Taking everything into account though, musically, The Royal Opera’s Macbeth is thoroughly worthwhile and so receives a well-deserved 10 out of 10."

So there we go audiophiles, various suggestions for your purchasing that you may have missed this last year. Tomorrow we go for something a little less cerebral, as we hope to have a bit of a wrestle!