Glee: The Music, Volume 2

Well, after listening to this second volume of music at least twice from "Glee", my fave scripted show on TV next to "Lost", and having lived with Volume 1 since its release & having met the 8 main "kids" (they're all in their 20s, not exactly kids, even tho they play highschoolers in a gleeclub), I must say they possibly outdid Volume 1, in that Volume 2 is a little deeper, not so obvious, a bit more creative in song choices and fresh arrangements...plus, like Volume 1, these songs can work equally well in the show's plotlines and as an actual ALBUM in itself...with highs, lows, peaks and valleys, a beginning, middle & end. Here's the breakdown:

1. Proud Mary (9/10)...fun reworking of the John Fogerty/Creedence Clearwater Revival tune, covered previously by Ike & Tina Turner...the Glee Cast's version is like Ike & Tina's, stylistically, but with a fresh dose of the cast's energy...and I LOVE the brass section...espesh the bari sax, nice start...it works equally well...Read more

'Glee: The Music, Vol. 2' features 17 more songs from the first season. These are in addition to those released on Glee: The Music, Volume 1. One point of criticism right off hand; the songs featured on vol. 2 aren't as catchy and varied as those on the first volume of music. While volume 1 had songs that were very pop and upbeat, vol. 2 is heavy on songs that are a bit less pop and more on the melodramatic/slightly depressing side. As with the first volume, this doesn't include all of the songs from the 2nd quarter of the season. Missing are the tracks performed by the non-'Glee' cast, like 'Bootylicious', or the acoustic version of 'Papa Don't Preach', or the 'Hair / Crazy in Love' mash-up. While the songs on volume 2 are definitely good and are performed well above the typical cover/karaoke standard, the songs selected for this...Read more

This new "Volume 2" album of the music from Glee contains some mighty special music. These fine artists harmonize and sing lyrics to perfection--and beyond! Sure, there's one or two tracks here that may be not quite as good as others; but the rest of what we get is so remarkably good that I'll be holding onto this CD for quite some while to come! The quality of the sound is good and I like the artwork; we also get credits in the liner notes that list who sings which number.

"Proud Mary" by John Fogerty starts the track set off with a strong number. Amber Riley impresses me with her fine singing; and Amber along with Kevin McHale, Lea Michele and Jenna Ushkowitz handle complex tempo and key changes like champs! That chorus is vibrant to say the least; and how's about that brass? "Endless Love" is performed with great sensitivity by Mathew Morrison and Lea Michele; the music fits perfectly with their vocals and they never miss a beat, either! Moreover, "I'll Stand by You"...Read more