Aly

Not Rocky Enough For Me, I Was Expecting Louder Guitars & Riffs From What I Read Before The Album Was Released, Saying That Fans Can Expect A Rockier Sound, Then Pop-Track With [No Rock] Influences "Potential Break-Up Song" Get's Released Which Is Not A Bad Song At All Just Got My Hopes Up For Something Else.

Wrapping It Up: I Love A.J.'s Voice, She's Sings So Well. She Has This "Airy" Rasp To Her Voice That's Incredible.

My Favorite Tracks From This Album Is "Insominiatic" [Title Track] "Bullseye" "Closure" And "If I Could Have You Back". Pretty Good Album For What It Was.

I love Aly and AJ. They're just awesome! Their album INSOMNIATIC features popular hits like "Like Woah" (from Disney's Minute Men movie) and "Potential Breakup Song." I particularly like the songs "potential breakup song," "Like Woah," "Closure," and "Bullseye." They are both great musicians. Most of there songs are about relationships. The songs are truly amazing.

NOTE: This album is not targeted for younger children... more teen-age, some of the songs younger children might not relate to (like "Closure"... they don't even know what that means!) Pre-teen and teenage girls would much rather enjoy this CD than 6 year olds!!!!!!!

I think that Into the Rush would be a much better choice. I don't believe that they are too good with ballad or slow type songs. If you're looking for that, check out other singers. The only songs that I liked are "Potential Break up Song" (which got irritating after a while), Bullseye, and the remix of Chemicals React. The rest didn't have anything special, and didn't stick in my head like most great songs do.

i thought that Aly & AJ weren't that until i got this i now LOVE all the songs like "bullseye" you would be smart to buy this just try it its only 9.95

wowww!!! i cant stop listenin to this cd!!! it just never gets old!! SILENCE, DIvision, im here and flattery are some of the slower songs on the cd, but they mean alot! most of the time slow songs arent to good, but the ones on this album and into the rush are like wow or should i say like whoa? yea, on radio disney they ruined like whoa!! the original on the cd is like whoa!!! it has awesome sound effects!!! also, on the end of this cd theres a chemicals react remix!!

this is a christmas cd, (duh) that has christmas songs sung by aly and aj!! also they wrote two songs, the greatest time of year and not this year. its a cool cd! i got it in may though....no one said you have to celebrate chritmas in december...or did they?

These girls are absolutly wonderful. I would recommend them to ANYONE! They blow me away. This Christmas album was absolutly fabulous! It brings holiday cheer with classic non-religious songs, but then really hit it home with the TRUE meaning of Christmas with Christian Christmas songs. It truly shows Aly & A.J. for what they really are: good, Christian, talented, beautiful, strong young ladies. This would be a very ideal Christmas gift. I recommend this album highly and Aly & A.J.'s other works. Keep it up Aly & A.J.! Don't go all "Lohan" or "Spears" on us!

FOR PARENTS: (Scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest/worst)
bad language - 0 there is no bad language
sexual content - 0 there is no sexual content
violence - 0 there is no violence
adult content - 1
1. one example of adult content is that it may offend people that there are Christian songs on there, but, no mean to be rude, if you're not Christian, or trying to become a Christian, what the heck are you doing listening to a CHRISTmas album?

Overall, this is another example of the beautiful work Aly & A.J. do!

I was very critical of Insomnia (feeling they sold out their values to pop culture). However, this Christmas CD is, in fact, a solid Christian production. Get it without reservation to celebrate the LORD and SAVIOR that Aly and AJ speak about in the thanks section and song lyrics.

Kenneth Clifton
-author of The Christian Superhero Training Guide

I got this cd on Christmas day,so I enjoyed it all day! I kept listening to it well into January. Although, I wish the cd had more up-beat songs. I thought their re-makes would be edger, but it help capture the true meaning of Christmas. They even wrote two of the songs on this album, " Greatest Time of Year" and " Not This Year" this song is about how it's okay not to be in the Christmas spirit when something really awful happens to you, you can cry. You should get this cd!

this cd is awesome i liked it so much i started listening to it 3 months before christmas! u can listen to it every christmas it will never get old. aly and aj have such beautiful voices and combining classics tunes along with some new ones was a great idea. i cant wait till their next album hits stores!

Well... To be honest i love Aly & AJ. That's why i am disappointed. First of all there isn't a music video for "On The Ride". And i think the new versions of "Something More" and "Collapsed" aren't that good. Also SIMLISH "Chemicals React" is so silly. But in my opinion they have an amazing voice and the music that they made is perfect. So i gave 4 stars for this album.

aly and aj are the best ever!!!! this cd is awesome!!! it includes 3 extra songs that aren't on into the rush!!! they write all thier songs except two! (do you believe in magic and walkin on sunshine, they're remakes) if you like aly and aj as much as i do, (which is alot, ok alot more than alot!;]) you should buy this!!!! please do!!!

This is a really good CD all the songs are great and the 2 extra songs it has on it are also really cool. It's an all round really good CD that everyone will love to listen to including adults.
Aly and AJ did a really great job on this CD.

This is the best cd by aly and aj when i bougt it i never really heard aly and aj they are relly good my favorite song are chemicals react and rush.

Why do Aly & AJ hold guitars in their videos and even on this album cover? Have you seen them "play" it's obvious the guitar is a prop which just makes them look stupid and even more fake. Manufactured Lip Sync at it finest.

This is amazing stuff. These girls are a great talent, and their production team is doing some of the most varied, interesting and sweet sounding work you could imagine. Listening to the production chops on Aly and A.J.'s records is like listening to Greg Howe play guitar - there's just not much more you can do and still remain tasty.

I have listened to "Into the Rush", "Acoustic Hearts of Winter", "Insomniatic", and their EP release "Chemicals React".

"Into the Rush" stands as one of their greatest - an a truly awesome effort, regardless that's it's their first, but even more impressive because of it.

If you like pop music with a heavy edge and good vocals, you will love almost all their stuff. Some of it is juvenile, if that's even a proper descriptor, but considering I have almost 30 songs in total and I only pulled five from my playlist, that's better than most bands I like.

What do you expect from a band who's main audience is Radio Disney? For some dome reason this pathetic sister duo decided to promote their music to CCM audience, they even brought on famed producer Ian Eskelin for a few songs. What does it amount to? One of the worst albums of the year. The covers throw rotten eggs at the original versions, and the stench seeps through the rest of the songs. The music is terrible, the songwriting is terrible, their voices aren't anything to write home about, and the lyrics are downright pathetic. Why buy it? Don't, boycott it! What's Christian about this music? What's even good about it? By the way, their new album only expands on the bad parts, it might be so bad, it's burnable.

All the songs on Aly and AJ's album, Into the Rush, sound like they sang them from their hearts. The songs that Aly and AJ write are really meaningful. They know what they are singing about because they write their own songs. If something happened to them they write a song about it. For instance, in the song "No One" they sing about trying to find themselves and what they want to be like. They sing about how "you can be no one but you". What makes their songs sound so real is that they probably experienced these things themselves.
While it is true that they probably had some help writing their songs, they both still know what the meaning of the song is and they do all they can to get that point across. They are the ones thinking of the words and picking just the write phrases to make it sound right. Besides, since AJ and Aly work together to compose a song, they inspire each other.
Aly and AJ not only write their own songs, but they sound great when they sing them. Since they are sisters, they have similar voices. Their voices mix perfectly together. Their voices are sweet, on tune, and have a hint of emotion. What makes them such amazing singers is that they sound like they really mean what they are singing about. They have the perfect mix of powerful words, soothing tunes, and sweet melodies.
Not only do their songs sound meaningful, but every song is diverse. It is very difficult to be bored while listening to this CD. Although all the songs sound different, it is recognizable that it is AJ and Aly singing. Their songs can be put on repeat, without getting tired of them. The tracks can have either a head-bopping beat, or a soft gentle harmony or even both. Most of their songs start out quiet and then they work up to a faster, livelier tune. It is sort of like a rain storm starts off with a slow drizzle and then gets faster and faster until it is a heavy downpour. But still in a way, the rain is relaxing. It is the same with their songs. They are very pleasant to listen to.
The most important reason why Into the Rush is so expressive is that people can relate to the songs. In "Collapsed", the girls sing about how one isn't sure if a boy she likes is right for her. Lots of people can relate to that. That is how all the songs on this album make people want to listen. "Rush" is another example of how their songs are meaningful. It is are relevant, and always interesting.
Aly and AJ sing all the songs on their CD Into the Rush, from the heart. This is a highly recommended album because of its awesome beat, its meaningful lyrics, and its satisfying tunes. This album is definitely the best of theirs yet.

vetgirl here. (To hear a full review on each song see my review on "Into the Rush [Deluxe Edition]"). This album is great! The first time I heard "Rush" in the Disney Channel Original Movie "Twitches", I was in love. I had to have that song. I downloaded it, but then "On the Ride" was released as a single, and I had to download that single, too. Soon, I had every song except "In a Second" and "Out of the Blue", so I just bought them because I felt I had to. Those two were NOT my favorites, but then they really grew on me. I love the acoustics! I burned all the songs including the 3 extra on the deluxe edition onto a blank cd for myself. I listen to it 24/7. I had to burn it for my friends, too, young and old alike! Aly & A.J. are the best! I really recommend them over Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens, Hilary Duff, and all of those other bad-behaved stars! These girls are real role models and very talented!

FOR PARENTS: (Scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest/worst)
bad language - 0 there is no bad language
sexual content - 0 there is no sexual content
violence - 1
1. one example of violence is that they sing about bullies in "Sticks and Stones".
adult content - 0 there is no adult content

Overall, this is a great, great album, and you must buy it!

This is excellent pop music from the sister duo of Aly and AJ. Very impressive from 2 singers so young. the music on here isn't silly bubblegum pop. It's got good and often meaningful lyrics and the music is substantial, it doesn't just rely on one jingle/hook played over and over. Plus, Aly and AJ don't come accross as airheads or skanks. they seem to be enthusiastic young ladies with a love of [and talent for] music who like entertaining. Good stuff and not just for young girls. Adults can listen to and hum along with this too.

When the BBC production of The Little Prince was playing on our local public TV station two years ago, I was sick on the couch--sick enough that I was there to see it 4 times as it was repeated over the week. I suspect I had West Nile, because in addition to various roving physical symptoms, I was in a slightly odd, emotionally reflective state of mind for days--during which this musical score of The Little Prince simply engraved itself into my head. Eventually recoverying from pining over the eventual demise of my '81 Subaru and again able to stand up and not pass out, I ordered this CD and the music to this day elicits a quiet wonder unique from any other favored music I enjoy. Something very special about this seemingly simple work.

Portman herself describes this as a "children's opera". It is full of children's voices, and, as one result of this, is so charming that one can easily underestimate its other qualities: its wit, its inventiveness (the duet between the adult soprano and the boy treble is especially unusual), and the sense it evokes of soaring, yearning flight. The libretto is beautifully judged, and the whole captures wonderfully the mirage quality of the book. A lovely, haunting, moving work.

An opera lover must be heartend when a major film composer decides to write an opera. It's doubtless less financially rewarding than writing film music, but still composers are drawn to this parallel form of musical story telling.

Unlike alpha-male symphonic film composers like John Williams or James Horner, Rachel Portman's scores have always maintained a certain delicacy--a certain distance from the writings of the old masters, and here she provides us with many charming and beautiful scenes. A smaller orchestra is employed, and much of the music has an impressionistic quality, with many plaintive solos for flute and oboe. Truly lovely melodies also emerge from the essentially through-composed work.

Yet Ms. Portman's unfamiliarity with operatic writing also shows through. First and foremost, I had a certain feeling of monotony. Each scene is beautifully scored, but how many times can one sing "Danny Boy" befoe one becomes sick of it? There was very little musical distinction between scnes. Secondly, the orchestral writing was much finer than the vocal writing, which often seemed repetitious and unimaginitive.

The fact that a boy soprano sings the lead shows a break with operatic tradion. In the end, this seems very much like a children's opera...though one that, like the beloved book upon which it is based, deals subtly with the meaning of love and death.

This is a great CD! I heard Aly Bain in concert in Scotland and he is recognized as one of Scotland's masters- this CD is comparable.

Aly & AJ deliver themselves on their new album, Insomniatic. With the smash-hit "Potential Breakup Song", it starts off the album right. Aly & AJ's new songs on this album are just so different from their debut, and I love them. Featuring "Bullseye", "Division", also the Bonus Track "Careful with Words", this album is just an album you can keep on repeat. Also it is worth buying the BONUS TRAKC album, because "Careful with Words", is better than some of the other songs on the album.

In the "Aly & AJ in Concert" DVD, the girls asked us to join them "on the ride" (of life) with them. Unfortunately, as they matured, these uber-popular teen celebrities hit the bumpy road of relationships. As a result of both their maturity and recent experiences, this "experimental" album delves into the hope, disappointment, and anger of these complicated relationships - on a more mature level. Not all songs (particularly "Blush") are appropriate for my 9-year-old daughter. This album should be appealing to 12 - 18 year olds - the demographic that Aly (18) & AJ (16) are targeting. The album is well-produced (better than "Into The Rush") and the songs range from fast-paced ("The Potential Breakup Song", "Like Whoa", and "Careful With Words") to the ballads ("Closure", "Division", and "Silence" - my favorites). For the best results, this album should be listened to (versus heard) several times to understand the messages and appreciate the musical talent of singers, writers, and musicians.

P.S. - The bonus track, "Careful With Words", another relationship song, fits in well with the topic of the album but would not be missed by those purchasing the regular album.

I bought this album after returning from the Shetland Fiddle Frenzy. It is 'the bible' for Shetland fiddlers. The tunes are all widely known and played in Shetland.

Excellent music -- ranging from mysterious to exciting, and entertaining every step of the way. The title led me to expect sea chanteys, which is not quite the case. Performed very simply and directly(the way I like it). The fiddle and mandorla are a good combination; the wind instruments are understated and very effective. If you're a collector of "Celtic" music, and expecting Scottish style, you may be surprised by the strong Norse flavor. I'm keeping one for myself, and sending another to my daughter in Edinburgh.

i first heard cuts from fully rigged on npr and knew i had to try and track it down. i was so pleased with earthy, evocative quality of the music, i purchased a second cd for my son and daughter in law. i'm now looking into buying other cd's.

Lovely traditional fiddle music featuring Aly Bain (of Boys Of The Lough) along with Swedish mandola whiz, Ale Moller, of the band Frifot. The two are obviously very much in synch with other, and this is a very dreamy, pleasant album. Interesting blend of the Celtic lilt and the Nordic lurch... Like nearly all the records on the Northside label, this is unusual and challenging, and highly recommended.

I first saw Aly Bain at the 1975 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, where he was playing solo fiddle, and sitting in with a Cajun band .... His virtuoso playing has joined with many other players and styles over the years, while he is most known for his playing of Shetland, Scottish and Irish tunes with The Boys of the Lough. On this album he plays with Ale Moller, from the Swedish group Nordan, and they range over the North Atlantic, playing mostly tunes from the Shetlands and Sweden, but also from the U.S., Canada, and Scotland. This is a natural pairing, because, while fiddling from the Shetlands is normally seen as an off-shoot of Scottish and Celtic music, there was sometimes something a little melodically and harmonically different (listen to "Christmas Day I'da Morning" on the Boys' first album). That difference is the influence of Norwegian and Swedish music, which makes sense, as the Shetlands are between Scotland and Norway in the North Sea.
In addition to the traditional tunes there are several good original tunes from Ale, who plays mandola and several traditional wind instruments. Aly provides another arrangement of the American tune "Bonaparte's Retreat" as good as the one on his solo album "Lonely Bird". Good liner notes explain the provenance of each song.