Music Review

09 January 2009 23:53 BST

Blake: And So It Goes

Universal, out September 29th.

In a nutshell...

Classical crossover kings' classy return

What's it all about?

Award-winning Blake are back with their second album which sees them fusing classical and operatic arrangements to anthems like Up Where We Belong and Chasing Cars.

Who's it by?

Blake's eponymous debut album snatched the coveted Classical Brits Album of the Year title, and went gold within three weeks of its release.

The foursome, who met via Facebook only 18 months ago, quickly realised their harmonies and soaring voices touched the hearts of a diverse fan-base.

They perform to audiences of more than 100, 000 and have performed throughout the UK with Japan and Australia on their to-do list.

Blake also support two charities dedicated to Britain's armed forces – Help For Heroes and War Widows.

As an example...

"Who knows what tomorrow brings... " – Up Where We Belong

Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys

They've nabbed Brit gold so it's not too much of a stretch to see the Blake boys proudly receiving Grammy glory in the near future.

What the others say

"Despite their choir-boy background, Blake are not really that different from other close-harmony boy bands. They've just got a better cut of suit. 'Bridging the gap between pop and opera' this lightweight follow-up to their Classical Brit award-winning first album is hypnotically anodyne.

"Blake do have decent voices, but they ballad everything into four-part submission, from Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars to the interlude from Cavalleria Rusticana, in orchestral and vocal interpretations of uniform, overproduced blandness.

"This is the kind of music that straightens its tie and irons its turn ups before going home to meet your parents – which one should not forget is very welcome in some households." – Times Online

So is it any good?

It's like the ultimate movie soundtrack from a big-budget Michael Bay blockbuster jam-packed with simply beautiful renditions of modern classics such as Up Where We Belong and Chasing Cars.

The four Blake boys' voices gel effortlessly but each one explodes emotionally, carving out exceptional reworkings of songs usually associated with artists such as Snow Patrol and Katie Melua.

There's a solidity and sense of hope that underscores the tracks on this album, a love letter to the past that provides comfort and wisdom in these uncertain times.

This reassuring warmth is never more apparent then when it comes to the luscious closing track Sancta Maria, the timeless and stirring qualities of Wild Mountain Thyme and the majestic, tearful Up Where We Belong.

It's good to know that in an age of X Factor awfulness and countless cloned indie bands that music can still be so powerfully and evocatively performed.

10/10

Lee Davis