Product Description

This is the self-titled debut from 2004 X-Factor runners upG4. The album sees the boys take on various contemporary and classical songs and re-work them into their own mix of opera, pop, and rock. The album includes their popular renditions of Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody', Radiohead's 'Creep', and 'Nessun Dorma', all of which were performed in the X-Factor final.

Track Listing

1. Bohemian Rhapsody (Graham Stack & Brian Rawling Mix)
2. Nessun Dorma
3. Everybody Hurts
4. Circle Of Life
5. Creep
6. To Where You Are
7. Life On Mars
8. Flower Duet
9. Broken Vow
10. Jerusalem
11. You'll Never Walk Alone
12. My Way

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2826 in Music
• Released on: 2005-02-28
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Are G4 pop, are they opera or are they indeterminately heterogeneous enough to be identified as a new species called popera? Runners-up in the compellingly addictive television talent show X-Factor, this young and classically-trained male vocal quartet were arguably the only act distinctive enough to fulfil the incomparability criterion alluded to in the contest's title. When it came to the judges' evaluation, even the normally forthright and disputatious Simon Cowell found himself floundering between dumbstruck reticence and fence-straddling equivocation. What is clear, however, from G4's debut album is the populist supermarket direction they've been prodded in. In mitigation, perhaps this is understandable. Despite the bravery and accomplishment of applying operatic blossom to REM's "Everybody Hurts" and Radiohead's "Creep"- and let's hear some more of this emotive excellence, please--Trevor Horns' fail-safe production and the steadfastly predictable musical arrangements on the pop numbers enforces the sort of backdrop karaoke conservatism which distracts from G4's more interesting vocal work, which, after all, is this ensemble's very raison d'etre. So, there's no sign of G4's daft rendition of Britney's "Baby One More Time" but "Bohemian Rhapsody" is present in all its pleasantly pompous glory (a whole orchestra stands in for the Brian May guitar solo) while a hearty "Jerusalem" is likely to out belt the Welsh in any international rugger match singing showdown. And for tearful followers of the round ball game? "Nessum Dorma" and "You'll Never Walk Alone". --Kevin Maidment

Album Description
Classically trained, this four-piece vocal group, wowed a captivated audience week after week on The X Factor. Their highly original takes on seemingly untouchable pop classics established them as true one offs and despite coming out of the competition in second place, the act were undoubtedly one of the artistic success stories of the series.

Customer Reviews

Almost converted
I listened to this album during a long car journey to Manchester for a Tori Amos concert. Although I have heard G4 on some T.V. shows, I have never been a huge fan. But upon listening to this album, I felt that I had to write a review, as I was so surprised by how much I enjoyed listening to them for more than just one songs length.
I think the lure of this album is that they have included traditional classical pieces aswell as a selection of more contemporary tracks. Definitely one of the best tracks is their rendition of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody". Perhaps less well known is their version of Radiohead's "Creep", which also is a standout track here. For me, one of the most surprising pieces was "The Flower Duet". As someone who loves Madama Butterfly, it was very different hearing this piece sung by male voices rather than female. Personally, my favourite song was "Broken Vow". This is truly a lovely piece; very sad and quite profound.
All in all, this album is very good. Although I may never be a die hard fan, like my friend who went with me to Manchester, I can still appreciate the talent that they showed on releases such as this.

G4 Act Three
This is the third one from the ever great G4.The Tracks are well thought out and it's well put together.Jon is on top form as ever,with great backing vocals from Matt, Mike and Ben.Top of their form, thank you boys for the perfect CD to listen to.I take all three with me when I travel, never get tired of them.

G4
I had G4 and friends for Xmas and think it is absolutely brilliant. After 4 months I still haven't got fed up with it. As I enjoyed it so much I thought I would buy their first album and I can't say just how disappointed I am. Compared to their 2nd album they sound like a bunch of amateurs who put an album together as quick as they could