#1
Posted: 9/27/05 at 5:28pm
I just got through listening to the RENT Movie Soundtrack, and I can sum it all up in one word. Radiant. I dont really know where to begin. It's an absolutley fabulous soundtrack. Probably the best since or maybe including Chicago's soundtrack. Highlight songs include Out Tonight, Over The Moon, Take Me Or Leave Me, La Vie Boheme, Rent, the brand new song Love Heals and Seasons of Love. Some low points include Halloween and the fact that Happy New Year isnt in the soundtrack at all. Most songs, though, are wonderfully delievered by both the orchestra and the cast.
My favorite vocal performance is probably Idina, followed closely by Adam and Rosario. Being a gigantic Idina fan, I cleared my mind before listening to this soundtrack of all of my love for her, and I still adored her vocal performance. She sounds completley different from the OBCR (its amazing how much she changed/progressed from then), and although she may have lost a smidge of her witty/dry delivery of some of the lines, the amazing power in her voice more than makes up for it. Over The Moon is hysterical, and she has never sounded better singing these songs, IMO. Adam is a performer who I never really loved. I liked him, but not loved him. That all changed after listening to this CD. I was convinced he was a good actor, but I wasnt too keen on his singing. He sounds great on this CD. Real, raw, and emotional. Same goes for Rosario. Who wouldve known that this girl can sing!?! They would have to hire someone to reapply the roof of the Nederlander Theater after every one of her performances if she ever took this role to Broadway. She has a gorgeous, hair-raising, thoroughly entertaining voice. Every one else sounds great. Tracie is phenomenal and can belt with the best of them. Wilson has not lost one bit of his vocal ability to tackle Angel's challenging, fast-paced songs with wit and might. Taye sounds better than the OBCR even if he doesnt sing enough on this CD. His vocal talents will shock those who only know him from the movies or TV. Anthony sounds good as well. He sounds great during La Vie Boheme and What You Own, but not as good in his other tunes. Shockingly, though, Jesse sounds just fine. Not great, just fine. His I'll Cover You Reprise which is meant to be emotional with a few vocal riffs has become vocal riffs with a few emotions. It's a dissapointment.
Overall, though, I'd give this CD 3 1/2 to 4 STARS. It's spendidly recorded, and Love Heals may just be the CD's best song. It's powerful, lyrically gorgeous, upbeat, and clever. This is a must have, as Rent: The Movie will prove to be one of this year's biggest hits and the soundtrack just may be this year's best selling one as well. It's a must have.
My favorite vocal performance is probably Idina, followed closely by Adam and Rosario. Being a gigantic Idina fan, I cleared my mind before listening to this soundtrack of all of my love for her, and I still adored her vocal performance. She sounds completley different from the OBCR (its amazing how much she changed/progressed from then), and although she may have lost a smidge of her witty/dry delivery of some of the lines, the amazing power in her voice more than makes up for it. Over The Moon is hysterical, and she has never sounded better singing these songs, IMO. Adam is a performer who I never really loved. I liked him, but not loved him. That all changed after listening to this CD. I was convinced he was a good actor, but I wasnt too keen on his singing. He sounds great on this CD. Real, raw, and emotional. Same goes for Rosario. Who wouldve known that this girl can sing!?! They would have to hire someone to reapply the roof of the Nederlander Theater after every one of her performances if she ever took this role to Broadway. She has a gorgeous, hair-raising, thoroughly entertaining voice. Every one else sounds great. Tracie is phenomenal and can belt with the best of them. Wilson has not lost one bit of his vocal ability to tackle Angel's challenging, fast-paced songs with wit and might. Taye sounds better than the OBCR even if he doesnt sing enough on this CD. His vocal talents will shock those who only know him from the movies or TV. Anthony sounds good as well. He sounds great during La Vie Boheme and What You Own, but not as good in his other tunes. Shockingly, though, Jesse sounds just fine. Not great, just fine. His I'll Cover You Reprise which is meant to be emotional with a few vocal riffs has become vocal riffs with a few emotions. It's a dissapointment.
Overall, though, I'd give this CD 3 1/2 to 4 STARS. It's spendidly recorded, and Love Heals may just be the CD's best song. It's powerful, lyrically gorgeous, upbeat, and clever. This is a must have, as Rent: The Movie will prove to be one of this year's biggest hits and the soundtrack just may be this year's best selling one as well. It's a must have.
