"There will soon come the time where I will once again be asked by some curious music lover what classical guitar CD I recommend they buy in order to introduce themselves to the instrument. When that time arrives, Matthew McAllister will be the name that will spring to mind."

"Scottish classical guitarist Matthew McAllister has incredible talent as a composer and guitarist. A student from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, he knows his stuff, and this instrumental album is sure to soothe any guitar-loving beast. It’s best served with a glass of red wine and a comfy chair. If you’re into listening to more than one instrument, this may not be the album for you. While it’s beautifully composed, all you hear is guitar and not much else. Highlight: 'Mr. Dowland's Midnight'—just gorgeous!"

"It has almost become a general consensus that classical and contemporary repertoire need to be treated fundamentally different. 'Merula', however, works exactly because it defies the dogma. For his debut album, Matthew McAllister has taken the liberty of showing his abilties within the most diverse contexts, of organising a time-travel package through the ages and of recording his own interpretations of 'a choice selection of classic guitar repertoire, alongside newer styles of contemporary guitar music.' Even more significantly, he has allowed in an element, which has strangely been forgotten in the debate on historical practise: Empathy."