Considered one of the finest counter tenors of his generation,
Ryland Angel
makes the switch from the rarefied world of
Baroque
music -- which established him as an international star -- to the land of
pop
classical
on his lushly produced major-label debut. While some of the press materials tried to link him to more
oriented
singer/songwriters
like
Aaron Neville
,
James Taylor
and
James Blunt
Angel
's stunningly beautiful, ethereal and transcendent voice will appeal just as much to fans of
Josh Groban
. But while
Groban
always aims for the big
hook and crescendo,
is a little more
traditional
, letting most of these tracks build their feelings slowly, drifting over a colorful ambient landscape. He's at his best when tapping into the spiritual realm, giving a fresh, uplifting interpretation to the usually staid
"Ave Maria"
and a loving, romantic touch (with some haunting Irish flavored accompaniment) to
"The Water Is Wide."
The songs featuring
without
church choir textures -- which seem to slow the pace down and detract from his singular beauty -- are the most appealing, beginning with the lovely opener
"Absalom"
and reaching a heartfelt peak on
"Find a Way to You,"
a romantic anthem which could become this decade's
"My Heart Will Go On."
Romantic with a religious touch, atmospheric with a sensuous heart,
for the most part effectively bridges musical centuries while keeping things true to his emotional heart. ~ Jonathan Widran