Born

1	Quixote 4:44
2	Winter 5:42
3	Victory 4:40
4	Oceanic 6:42
5	Kismet 5:12
6	Korobushko 4:48
7	Alexander the Great 2:58
8	Duel 4:20
9	Bella Donna 3:15
10	The 1812 6:37
11	Dalalai 4:06
12	Hymn 4:50
13	Victory Mike Batt Mix 3:25

Barnes & Noble

Dubbed classical music's answer to the Spice Girls, comely crossover string quartet Bond arrive on the American musical scene with their controversial debut album. They have already created a stir overseas: After Born hit No. 2 on the British classical chart, the committee for classical music at the Chart Information Network, which assembles the list, had a listen and summarily re-designated it a pop album, removing Born from their listing. The Bond girls cried foul, but the succès de scandale has only made them a huge concert draw. Beyond their sultry looks, Bond's appeal lies in their music, which defies easy description. It is classically influenced -- they are a string quartet, and many of the melodies they play are classically derived. But don't expect standard classical fare: Pulsing dance beats, new age ambient noises, and voice-overs are all part of the game here, too. While many classical music listeners may agree with Bond's British critics, those who cotton to the crossover styles of Sarah Brightman and Vanessa Mae will enjoy Bond's music for what it is: a genre-bending, barrier-breaking, upbeat blend of pop and classical styles. Roll over, Beethoven. Bond has arrived. EJ Johnson

All Music Guide

Despite the conservatory training and classical pedigree of its members, Bond's debut album Born doesn't have much to do with classical music in actual fact. It may have string quartet instrumentation and the elegant style of classical music, but the similarities end there. Born is first and foremost a dance album, with electronic club beats pushing the musicians' alternately majestic and ethereal melodies into the realm of dancefloor dramatics. Worldbeat influences are an important component of Bond's sound, with bits of Middle Eastern, Celtic, and Southern/Eastern European folk musics popping up on various tracks. However, appropriated classical themes and a movie soundtrack feel (often courtesy of film composer Magnus Fiennes) predominate. Classical fans will either find this watered down or a great way to hook younger listeners (though that logic is somewhat debatable, since they wouldn't really be listening to classical music in all its complexity); it's probably best to take Born simply for what it aspires to be -- exotic and melodic dance music for a non-purist audience. Steve Huey