I have heard of both singers and know that they are tenors. Michael for various game shows and theatre shows plus, “Love Changes Everything” (Upon my research, I also discovered he was briefly in Coronation Street in 1985.) and Alfie Boe for his performance for the Who’s “Quadrophenia: the Musical”. I wouldn’t say I am not a fan of Opera, but I tend not to listen to it regularly. I can tolerate it and marvel at the vocal ranges when I hear it. 

“Together Again” is the follow-up to their 2016 album, “Together” (I bet you weren’t expecting that to be the title, did you?), and I have to say that I did indeed marvel at the vocal ranges and found the record quite impressive. Although there were usual cheesy Christmas songs chucked in like “White Christmas”. Another cheesy song I am not impressed by that featured on the album is the theme song played at Luton Town Football Club’s ground shortly before kick-off, “Bring Me Sunshine”.

I was impressed with the “the Prayer” and the unique way both delivered it. Also, the new song written for the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast, called “Evermore”, will raise the roof upon any auditorium they embark on.

There are songs, however, that are saturated or just are not made better in any way on this record, like, “You’ll be Back”, “You’re the Voice”, and even a song that I do love usually, “New York New York” (When I’ve DJ’d, I have tended to close out the night with this as it gets everyone up and singing.) I also could have been more impressed with the West Side Story medley. Don’t get me wrong, it was a different angle, but it didn’t work.

My favourite off the record is “As if We Never Said Goodbye”. You can feel the bromance as they sing the song at each other. This record is probably better than the debut (I wouldn’t know as I have not heard it yet.), I say that because the first record doesn’t have that much versatility. In contrast, this record has unique ways of delivering songs that usually are sung traditionally and would not add flavour or any other form of creativity for fear of ruining the original version.

Overall: It was a smooth listen. As stated in the article, I may not listen to Opera daily, but I have no qualms about listening to it. Indeed, what I know of Alfie Boe, he is a highly regarded tenor in England, and Michael Ball is a versatile, expressive artist. I enjoyed their creativity on songs regarded as classics and that they dared to venture into unknown territory. This is a three-album contract with Decca Records, and I look forward to whatever the lads will name their follow-up to, “Together Again”. Unfortunately, my mark out of ten is mediocre due to the West Side Story Medley and an overcooked “New York New York”. 7/10