I recently just discovered this band, and what an amazing band they are. Made up of string instruments and having a really poppy sound this band just completely amazes me on many levels.
Haylie Ecker (first violinist)
Eos Chater (second violinist)
Tania Davis (violist)
Gay-Yee Westerhoff (cellist)
First of all, you should know, this band is just an instrumental band, which obviously use classical instruments. The band consists of four females which are amazing with what they do. I was never the biggest fan of violins or cello's but two band really opened me up to the sound.
The only band that I can even think of comparing Bond to, are Apocalyptica since they also an instrumental band which use cello's and violins. Unlike Apocalyptica, Bond is much easier to get into. Mixing their soothing playing with elements of dance music, which just makes it really fun and enjoyable to listen to. One minute you can be nodding your head along with the music, to the next where your just dancing around your room because the music pulls you in so easily.
Another good part of this band, is they add a lot more than just what instruments each members play, you have drums going in every song, as well as many other random elements. Vocals do make a few appearances, but they are very sparse and in a different language, then you have horns and keyboard like backgrounds that make some songs have a very eerie or beautiful atmosphere. The songs length of each song is a nice length also, just for a random mention, they all seem the decent length. From 2:50 to 6:00 minute songs.
What is good about this album right from the get-go the first three albums are fun and dancy to hear until the fourth track comes in and it's much more mellow. To me, my favorite songs are the ones that are a bit more up tempo, not to say there is anything wrong with the slower songs though. They still all sound good and have something to pull you into the music so you will have a good listening experience.
This is a great album for anyone who is into different and dancy types of music. If you are into bands such as Apocalyptica or anyone that sounds like them, then of course you will be more used to this bands sound. I know many people don't listen to them, but if you are interested, just try to keep your mind as open as possible and try this band out and see if you can enjoy them for yourself.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed that part of my review, now onto the Track-by-Track
1. Quixote - This song starts out really slow with violins and raindrops creeping their way through the background. It seems as if this song is set to be a song full of sadness, but as soon as you hear chanting start, you question what the hell you are listening to and then the song really kicks in. From an great dance that just gets you to move your body even if you don't want to and can't dance. The violin playing stays soothing throughout the whole song, but the drums just give off such a great vibe. A very nice opener that ends with raindrops and thunder sounds
2. Winter- Here we are at track two, and already we are at my favorite on the album. To me, it starts of with an acoustic guitar sound and a bit of talking as if being read to from a person in a storybook. The song kicks in and again the synths and drums just want you to start hopping around your room just to let the energy out. The violins/synths/drums flow together so well in an odd haunting friendly way. The song reminds me of being in an open field in outer space or something while being banged around by bouncers trying to get into club. Another great song that never seems to get old, very fun to listen to.
3. Victory - The beginning opens with keyboards and violins as the drums complement it all very well. Again an acoustic guitar seems to be mixed in with the song, but very little. What sticks out about this song is the great rhythm. This is a nicely written song which reminds me of a dance song in Final Fantasy 8 or somewhat, just to make a quick comparison. So far, we are 3 songs in and yet not a bad song to be heard
4. Oceanic - Time for a change in the album, it takes a more slow darkened pace as female vocalist sings for a few moments. The violins/cello's really make this a more haunting song, but at the same time something is there that keeps your attention so you don't have to skip the song out of pure hatred. For me, a lot of these songs put images in my head. This isn't one of the best songs on the album, but worth listening to once or twice before you start to skip it.
5- Kismet - The beginning to this starts off quite slow just as the last one ended, bringing nothing new to table and although not a bad song, just like the one above, it's nothing notable or remarkable, and interesting listen though, and very enjoyable, the end of the song is probably the most which stands out, as it reminds me of a huge battle going on.
6. Korobushko - This starts off with a lonely violin as the rest of the instruments in the background slowly start to play but are much more quiet than the lead violin. The song is a slow paced song, but it stands out more than the last two because of the great part near the middle of the song that is quite a catchy song. The song starts out slow, builds up more and more and it's eventually to a nice quick pace which sounds great. The album starts picking up again.
7. Alexander The Great - What is this? Songs with records getting scratched and a guy saying "go, go?" can this be a good sign at all? This song seems like it would fit a village of really happy people in Zelda or something (sorry for all the video game references by the way). This song is one of the most odd songs that I have heard from the band, and all though it sounds odd it still manages to have a nice melodic rhythm to it.
8. Duel - A nice little title to describe the song, a bit of trance is fit into this song, with vocals and keyboards going through the song, violins work there way through and add even more to that catchiness. I love this song, and it's probably the most dancy on the CD since the vocals are are great even if they are short and say the same thing. It's just the nice flow between the drums and synths and with a nice voice going on in the background with the violins going at it against each other, the Dual title really fits well.
9. Bella Donna - There really isn't much to say about this song, the violins and synths add a lot more to be desired, but this song just doesn't stand out to me at all. I find it fairly boring.
10. The 1812 - This song is pretty much a classic song, mixed into this bands style of music playing, and as it turns into something more poppy with a good dance rave-like beat to go with it, it's like a treat to the ears. I love listening to it. Sadly, the song will forever remind me of V for Vendetta, not like it's a bad thing, but the easiest thing to relate it to.
11. Dalalai - This song opens up with music that you would hear in the horrible history movies you would watch in elementary school, which was always odd and dull, luckily that doesn't follow with this band. A really nice up tempo song, the sound effects really give me an Aztec type vibe, but again it gives me a video game feel later in the song of Mario RPG or something. Even though it sounds kiddish, it's a nice piece of music. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT'S SO DAMN CATCHY!
12. Hymn -This song is a very slow haunting, but very nice song. You really couldn't expect much of it, but the slow music of this band doesn't interest me as the more dance styled songs do, and although this is a great song, including during the second half, I don't think it should have really been the last song on the album, well besides the remix.
13. Victory (Remix)- There really isn't too much of a huge difference, there are little bits of different things here and there, such as an electric guitar part it sounded to me like and a few other minuscule parts. Great song either way, I love both versions.
