Bens English Review Page

Soulmate

2006-12-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

Album: Soulmate

Artist: Various

Release date: 2003

My score: 9 out of 10

Korea's emotional love sitcom “Soulmate” has an original sound track album called “soulmate” which has some very talented songs.
This album shows us how important original sound tracks can be when they are used with TV programmes. This album shows us all of the sitcom’s feeling, and gives the message of the emaotional scenes from the show. This album is a unique one because the album was released for the fans of the show not only for sales in the charts.

In one of the songs which is Lasse Lindh’s "C’mon through"; we can imagine the scene of the show with the main actor and actress when they pass each other because they are in love.
In another song John Lennon’s "Oh my love" the music can move someone so much that it is much better than hundred words. When the main actor recognises his love of the main actress, he is unable to say anything. All he can do is just turn on the cd player and propose with this song on in the background.

This album makes is so emotional and lovely and it can make you feel chilly and also calm.
Some of songs are perfect music to listen to when you want to spend time by yourself or you feel a bit unhappy. Overall I gave this album a score of 9 out of ten because it's one of my favourite albums and I love the TV show. I think all the feeling you feel when you listen makes this a good album.

By Woo Kyung

Michel Polnareff

2006-12-11T08:59:00.000-08:00

Song:Lettre a France

Artist: Michel Polnareff

Release date: 19 September 2003

Michel Polnareff was born in 1944 in France. His father was classical musician so naturally he had a classical musical education from his father. He became a big success in the field of French pop music. All his songs were composed and written by himself, but regrettably,his manager stole his money and covered his tracks. Polnareff faced a serious financial
problem including not paying enough tax so he have to moved to the USA and made this song.

This song gives his expression of nostalgia about France. He attemped to write it with a very strong feeling of homesickness and you can feel it from not only his lyrics but also the songs deep and meaningful melody. Apparently his song has had a significant influence from classical music.
The melodies he composes are exceptional in their beauty but especially this song, it is so romantic, sad and unforgettable.To be honest, I can’t live without this song. I have given it 9 out of ten because I simply love this musci and i recommend that if you haven't heard it before you should try it find some of this music. It's excellent.

Hiroko

The Beatles

2006-12-11T08:48:00.000-08:00

Album: Yellow submarine

Artist: The Beatles

Release date: 6 June 1968

My score: 8.5 out of 10

I’m gonna to talk about one of the most famous songs ever written in music history.
I think everybody knows the Fab Four’s ballad “YELLOW SUBMARINE”, and I’m also sure that the Beatles don’t need a presentation.

They are probably the most well known pop group in history. Their notoriety began in 1962 with the album “Love me do”, and has grown until now, perhaps enhanced by the early separation of the group.As I said before the Fab Four don’t need any presentation. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Star are permanently fixed in everybody’s memory. In fact, they’ve had the ability to join and have an effect on at least three generations. For example, I could tell you that my grandparents and my parents are used to listening to their songs.

My favourite Fab Four’s song is “YELLOW SUBMARINE”, written by Paul and John in 1966.
It belongs to the pop genre, in which the Beatles were masters. However the song is deeply affected by psychedelic music.
The melody is very catchy and the content is very easy: it tells a story about a man who “sailed to sea” and told the Beatles about his life in the land of submarines, so they decided to catch him.

However “YELLOW SUBMARINE” has the merit to stimulate your fantasy. In fact, it makes you want to go away, to leave your routine and try to discover new things.
Describing green seas and high waves it has also the ability to make you feel very relaxed and happy at the same time.
My advice is to listen to this song on the dreary or dark days you have.
I give this album an 8 and half

Francesco

Madonna

2006-12-11T08:26:00.000-08:00

Artist : Madonna
Title : LIKE A PRAYER
Released date : **/3/1989
Totak weeks on chart : 77
My score : 8 out of10

This is my favourite work by Madonna. Her 4th album, “Like a Prayer ”, hit No.1 around the world in the late 80’s. This masterpiece not only reminds us of her early days , but also gives us something we’ve never listened to before. although over 15 years have passed since it was released, this album still appeals to people today. Her lyrics and melody are emotional, religiuos and contemporary.

The album is well orgainsed, starting with the title track, "like a prayer". this leads to a powerful track, "Express yourself", followed by a romantic duet with prince, "love song". The last two songs, "Oh father" and "Spanish eyes" sond very deep and emotional. every track is quite catchy an distinctive, especially the title track like a prayerwhich was criticised by some devout Roman Catholics because there was a scence where she burnt a cross in the video. It is extremely sophisticated and it begins with a chorus similar to a gospel choir and changes to an up-tempo sound. This quietness combined with pop is really well balanced and fantastic.in some parts , the orchestra plays exquisitely something we hadn't seen in her earlier work.

Madonna has kept maturing in the last 25 years and she has never bored us. Through this album we can see some of her mostmature and agressive aspects. i listen to this when i feel nostalgic, relaxed and calm. this album is definitley worth listening to. If you haven't heard it where have you been?

Every track is quite catchy and distinctive . Especially one of the tracks , “Like a prayer ” which was criticised by some devout Roman Catholicis, is extremely sophisticated. This song begins quietly and changes to up-tempo sound . The quite and pop combination is well-balanced and fantastic. And in some part orchestra band plays exquisitely,which is also the point we never seen in her past work.

Madonna has kept growing up in this quarter century . Through this album we can see her almost mature and aggressive aspect .

Music Review / Riwa Yoneda

Jay chou

2006-12-11T08:07:00.000-08:00

Artist: Jay chou

Album: November's Chopin

Release Date: 1st November 2005

Label: Sony BMG

Score: 8 out of 10

Jay is 27 years old and verry talented. His albums are all composed and produced by himself and he is extremely popular in Asia, particularly China and Taiwan. He seems to get some awards in different music ceremonies every year.

Jay's recent album, November's "Chopin" is fantastic well made pop music. Its is also his sixth album since the year 2000. The album consists of 4 fast tracks, 3 mid-tempo songs and 5 ballads. It is a unique blend of pop, hip-hop and R&B. One of my favourtite tracks and an example of the soul of this album, "Night song", hit Number 1 in the chinese singles chart for a very long time.it begins from a slight rap and gradually moves into a breezy ballad. The fluent piano, gorgeous melody, catchy chorus and classical lyrics simply make me feel extremely moved.

I have decided to give this album 8 out of 10 because i think it's wonderful pop music, which i really like. It's a brilliant mixture of modern musical elements and classical lyrics.

Posted by Tiffany

The Beatles

2006-12-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

Here's a review of the new Beatles "Love" album taken from the BBC website

The Beatles

Love

November 20 2006

BBC score Album of the week

While there are those who probably feel that remixing the Fab Four is an act of destruction, it's fair to say that this album has become one of the most anticipated releases of the year. It's taken two years to produce, and it shows; this is less a remix album than a very sophisticated mix of Beatles’ works.
George Martin's approach to the recording studio was always an experimental one, and neither age or working with Celine Dion seem to have calmed him. Together with his son Giles, he's taken full advantage of digital technology to create something genuinely challenging and often very moving.
Bits of songs are cleverly joined together; the opening of "Get Back" features the briefest of snippets from "A Hard Day's Night"; "Strawberry Fields Forever" is built from a combination of demo versions and the finished full recording. "Sun King" is played backwards. The most diehard Beatles obsessive will be kept happy for hours working out how it was all put together.
For the rest of us, this album is a clever and heartfelt tribute to the most influential and best loved band of them all.
A labour of Love indeed.
Reviewer: Peter Marsh

Madonna

2006-12-04T09:35:00.000-08:00

Madonna

Confessions On A Dancefloor

November 14, 2005

My score: 7 out of 10

Madonna's most recent album, “Confessions On A Dancefloor”, is simply excellent pop music. It is a breath of fresh air in a time when great artists of the past, have slowly become a thing of the past. Managing to 'reinvent' herself, she has come back to do what she does best; a 12 track album of nothing but pop / dance music. Madonna co-wrote and co-produced all tracks, ending up with a brilliant mixture of original beats and classic sounds.

The album is a unique blend of pop, disco and dance beats and is perfect music to dance to in nightclubs. The album is heavily influenced by disco and dance music and the chart-topping hit "Hung Up", samples giant disco band. ABBA's "Gimme, Gimme, Gimme (A Man After Midnight)" and this is the base line of the single. The album is so complete each song moves into the next with you really noticing. One of the tracks I really liked was “Sorry” which has sorry repeated in different languages in the intro and middle. It is a real club track, which has filtered backing vocals and builds and builds into a big crescendo.

Confessions On A Dance Floor is one of Madonna’s best. It is full of attitude and is a fun record, though the lyrics on the album could be better and are quite simple in places. Rhythmically, the album is terrific. The fast pop tracks are reminiscent of her past success and despite nearing fifty, Madonna has continued to be one of the best writers of pop music there is.

I give this album an overall 7 out of 10 because I think it’s fantastic pop music although it’s not necessarily my cup of tea I can appreciate it for what it is, good pop music. Madonna receives a lot criticism in the press but in my view, she has reached iconic status.

Adapted from http://www.music-critic.com/pop/madonnaconfessions.htm