Escala

"Escala"

Columbia Records

Release: June 23

2 out of 5 Stars

Sorry, Simon Cowell: Escala is no Susan Boyle.

The female electronic string quartet from the second season of "Britain's Got Talent" might have turned heads then, and Cowell certainly heard the possibility of chiming cash registers, signing the four-piece to his Syco Music label, but this collection of classical crossover covers of pop and rock songs hardly makes an impression.

This kind of stuff — like Boyle's powerhouse vocals — might rack up the views on YouTube, but who really wants a whole album of it?

Covers of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir," Paul McCartney's "Live and Let Die" and ubiquitous movie theme "Requiem for a Tower" are well-executed, but bland. Once you've heard electronic violins, viola and cello pounding out one popular song, you've heard 'em all.

Expect to hear snippets on commercials — which these songs work great for — but a whole album? Pass.

George Harrison

"Let it Roll: Songs by George Harrison"

EMI Records

Release: Out Now

4.5 out of 5 Stars

Harrison's legacy as the forgotten Beatle is a shame, and one listen to the new compilation of his solo works shows that he ought to stand right alongside John Lennon and Paul McCartney as a pop music juggernaut.

This 19-track collection covers familiar ground for diehard fans, but the newly remastered execution makes this rich collection worth it.

It would have been nice to see more rare material or b-sides represented here, and there are certainly tracks that are missing, but it's hard to craft a perfect compilation from such a long-spanning career.

Highlights include "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)," "My Sweet Lord" and "All Things Must Pass." Also included are live versions of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Something" and "Here Comes the Sun" from Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden.

Sure, you could find omissions to complain about, but why? This compilation is a fitting tribute to Harrison's legacy.

- Dusty Somers