THE MUPPETS - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2011)




Here it is – our favourite soundtrack album of the year. And why are we not surprised it is coming from The Muppets? This is the same group of puppet characters created by Muppeteer legend Jim Henson in 1954. For decades, these lovable characters have been giving joy and laughter to people around the world. And as 2011 comes to an end, the soundtrack album to the live action movie starring Jason Segel and Amy Adams creates the perfect closure to a year of movie music.

The highly recommended 40 minute album kicks off with the familiar “The Muppet Show Theme”, a tune which one can never grow tired of. This is followed by a collection of new and old songs. Tracks like Paul Simon’s “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” and Starship’s “We Built This City” remind you of the key scenes in the movie. Then there are songs like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You” which are covered hilariously by The Muppet Barbershop Quartet and Camilla and The Chickens respectively.

We are also loving the new songs written by Bret McKenzie - “Life’s a Happy Song” (listen out for Canadian singer songwriter Feist’s signature voice in a cameo appearance), “Pictures in My Head” (we never expected to actually feel moved by a song performed by Kermit) and “Man or Muppet” (Segel performs a touching duet with his on screen brother Walter). Elsewhere, Adams is amusing performing “Me Party” with Miss Piggy, while Chris Cooper left us in stitches with his rapping in “Let’s Talk About Me”.

Beloved classics like are also revisited in this album. “Rainbow Connection” (did you know that the song written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher was nominated for an Oscar in 1979?) is performed lovingly by The Muppets (featuring Kermit and his banjo, of course), and in a funny parody, by The Moopets as a sleazy bar tune.

Interspersed by comical dialogue tracks, the songs are fun, and more importantly, have got lots of heart. You will want to revisit the soundtrack over and over again. And nope, the producers did not forget the entertaining “Mah Na Mah Na”, making it the last track on this wonderful album.

ALBUM RATING:



Recommended Track: (3) Life's A Happy Song
 Review by John Li

 


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TRACK LISTING
1
The Muppet Show Theme - The Muppets
2
"Muppet Studios, I Can't Believe It" - Walter
3
Life's A Happy Song - Mickey Rooney
4
"I Haven't Seen The Old Gang" - Jason Segel
5
Pictures In My Head - Gonzo
6
We Drive" - Walter
7
Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard - Paul Simon
8
"That Spells Reno" - Amy Adams
9
Rainbow Connection (Moopets Version) - The Moopets
10
"Welcome Back" - Foozie
11
We Built This City - Starship
12 "Party Of One" - Amy Adams
13 Me Party - Miss Piggy
14 "We Humbly Ask" - Kermit
15 Let's Talk About Me - Nathan Pacheco
16 "The Answer Is No" - Kermit
17 "Are You A Man Or A Muppet?" - Amy Adams
18 Man Or Muppet - Jason Segel
19 "Down At The Ole Barbershop" - Kermit
20 Smells Like Teen Spirit - The Muppets Barbershop Quartet
21 "Princesses Of Poultry" - Kermit
22 Forget You - Camilla and the Chickens
23 "It's Time For Our Song" - Miss Piggy
24 Rainbow Connection - The Muppets
25 "Get Out There And Help Those Guys" - Jason Segel
26 The Whistling Caruso - Andrew Bird
27 "How Charming, A Finale" - Uncle Deadly
28 Life's A Happy Song Finale - The Muppets
29 "Mary, Marry Me" - Amy Adams
30 Mah Na Mah Na - Mahna Mahna and The Two Snowths


 ABOUT THE SOUNDTRACK

Artists: Various
Label: Disney
Release Date: November 21, 2011