Album Review: Montage

Yulia Townsend is a young Russian singer with an amazing contralto voice. Since arriving in New Zealand only four years ago she has since taken the classical crossover market there by storm.

With the recent release of her second album 'Montage' she seems set to become a household name much further a field than the kiwi shores she now calls home.

I really wasn't sure what to expect when I was given this album to review. I'd heard Yulia's name mentioned along side Hayley Westenra, but I don't think their voices can be compared. To me the similarity ends with their ages and where they both call home.

I find Yulia's voice to be beautifully suited to classical music and with a level of vocal control and maturity that belies her age.

The album begins with 'We're all alone' followed by 'No-one like you' both are VERY slow ballads.

'Maybe' at least picks up a little with a catchy tune, then comes Yulia's own track 'You are here', again it has a slow start, but picks up eventually. Unfortunately 'Everything you touched' by Carl Doy brings proceedings straight back to a snails pace though, the production sounds great, but the lyrics are bland and slow.

'Habanera' from Bizet's Carmen is next, Yulia's version provides the perfect tone and rhythm needed to carry this one, with her own little twists added. It has to be one of my favourites on the album but to be honest 'seductive' Carmen is missing. A little more fire under this one would have turned this track from great to absolutely amazing

Another classical piece follows with 'Che Faro' the lament by Gluck, It's a piece of music that's instantly recognizable, even if you don't remember where you've heard it before. Yulia is note perfect but again could have been more emotive.

'To Ni Veter' didn't hold my attention at all but I know that's due to my ignorance of the Russian language, more than anything else. Then disappointingly 'With you I'm born again' takes the mood straight back to a slow uninspired ballad style.

By way of redemption Faure's 'Pavane' provides more instantly recognizable music with beautifully sung lyrics, I've listened to this track repeatedly. I'm hooked!

Even 'Nobody does it better' left me agreeing with the title, Yulia sings this one so well.

The next track 'Plasir D'Amour' is a song I'll never be fond of, but it always makes me smile, since I heard that many people unaware of the meaning of the lyrics seem to play it at wedding receptions..."The joys of love are but a moment long. The pain of love endures a whole life long...." but Yulia sings it well, even if it is pessimistic and joyless in meaning.

'The Actress' again by Carl Doy brings us straight back to slow and uninspiring way the album began

Even Queen's 'The show must go on' just didn't work for me it sounded so down beat. To me this is a Freddy Mercury song and no other version has ever come close. That aside it just doesn't suit Yulia's voice at all. Not a great ending.

'Montage' is an album, which has moments where Yulia's brilliance shines through. For the most part though the songs chosen for her seem to hold her back. The restrained slow pace and reserved mood of the album is nothing to do with lack of talent. Yulia is capable of so much more and although I may have sounded overly critical in this review I have to point out that my criticism isn’t directed at Yulia. Just the material chosen for her.

Yulia is only twenty years old with talent in abundance; I can't wait to hear what comes next.

Added: June 12th 2006
Reviewer: xcept
Score: