Customer Reviews

Austin Powers in Goldmember

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Taking a "let's toss it all in the blender" appraoch, this soundtrack features a bunch of grooving tracks, along with a few missteps.
Beyonce Knowles (Destiny's Child) kicks the CD off in high gear with a knowing glance at Chaka Khan in "Work It Out". While she doesn't have Ms. Khan's pipes, Beyonce knows how to work with the right materials (and right producers), and she creates a throwback jam that has Rufus wirtten all over the bassline. It's a shame, however, that, a few cuts later Angie Stone's "Groove Me" reminds you how limited Beyonce's vocals are.
Brittney Spears, working with N.E.R.D. (flavor of the month in the producer's category) serves up an enjoyable "Boy", which is mixed to perfection (maybe a little too perfect).
Dr. Evil take on Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life" is very funny the first time you hear it, particularly with his usage of "street" lingo. And Susanna Hoffs (from The Bangles) throws up a wonderful version of "Alfie".
Skip Dr. Dre's remix of the Rolling Stone's "Miss You", though. Throwing aside the thumping New York beat of the original for Dre's tradition LA "g-thing" groove was a big mistake. Fortunately, the producer of this CD left Earth Wind and Fire's "Shining Star" intact, and this song still sounds great after 25+ years.

I was in best buy today picking up new CD's and i came across the new Austin Powers CD. Looking at the back of the CD i scanned down the track listings and saw "Dr. Evil- Hard Knock life Ghetto Anthem Remix". I literally started laughing out loud. I thought to myself "well, i do like that new beyonce song on there" and decided to buy it just for the hard knock life. Imagine Dr. Evil singing a rendered Jay-Z classic! As i proceeded to the register, a guy picked up my CD to scan it, and while the reciept was printing he looked at the tracks. he noticed the same Dr. Evil song on it, started cracking up and showed another employee. After i was done they both went to where it was sitting and picked up a copy.

Well now that that story is over, this soundtrack is actually pretty good. It captures the magic of the music of 1975 pretty well; from Beyonce's great neptune-produced "work it out", that sounds like it came straight from the 70's with a 2002 twist. Angie Stone sounds just like a soul diva with the likes of Gloria Gaynor with her song, and Oakenfolds' 1975 is an irresitible flashback of great tunes. The only thing that feels out of place on this album is the britney spears track. Now to the Dr. evil song. Its just as incredibly hilarious as i anticipated. You really have to hear it to believe it, but in the 2nd verse he starts cussing like a maniac and it bleeps it all out. This is an essential soundtrack to what is going to be one of the greatest movies of the summer.

Work It Out by Beyonce Knowles and the Boys co ed remix by Britney Spears and Pharrell Williams are the two best songs on this CD. They are excellent dance tracks as are all of the songs on this soundtrack. I loved hearing Shinning Star by Earth Wind and Fire and Angie Stone's groove me. The sampled songs on sound just as good though. The Dr Dre remix of the Rolling Stones classic is pretty good. Susanna Hoffs version of the song Alfie is just beautiful. Hey Goldmember is a nice track that uses sampled disco songs from KC and the Sunshine Band from the 70s. This is a really good soundtrack for anyone who likes to dance.

As with previous Austin Powers soundtracks,the idea has been to have a little bit of the past,sprinkled with a little bit of the present,and so far that's been a good mixture. The same holds true with this soundtrack,and yet for reasons undefined,this one doesn't run as smooth. It's still enjoyable,it just seems to be a little more disjointed.

So here's my breakdown. Firstly,I'm not a big fan of current Pop Trends,so Beyonce Knowles "Work it Out",and Britney Spears "Boys"...are wasted on me. If you enjoy them,you'll probably enjoy those songs,I'm just not into their work. The remake of The Rolling Stones "Miss You",is clever,and fun,and doesn't kill the old song. It's kinda funny how pumping up the bass and drum,makes it a funky disco dance tune. Mick's vocals still have the same beat,but the music is now faster. Angie Stone does a great cover of "Groove Me",soulful and sexy.Earth,Wind & Fire,an often left out 70's group,are represented here by their classic "Shining Star". Paul Oakfield makes an impressive instrumental,that fits the mood of "2000 meets 1975" with "1975",a brilliant mashing of Walter Murphy's "A Fifth of Beethoven" and the U2 version of the "Mission:Impossible" theme,very cool. Smash Mouth's "Ain't No Mystery" is yet another catchy tune. ( Do they ever make a bad song? ). Susanna Hoffs "Alfie" ("Austin" ),is amusing,and a good cover. Obviously included as an homage to Michael Caine,star of "Alfie" and "Goldmember",it's also a nice tip of the hat to Burt Bacharach & Hal David.

The odd song out,has to be "Evil Woman" by Soul Hooligan. It's not very inspired,and it's fairly obvious as far as covers go. And then there's the whole: IT WASN'T IN THE FILM!! They used the original by Electric Light Orchestra,so why is this here? Your answer....apparently Madonna was too busy to dictate a new song into this film,so they used another MAVERICK artiste. Why bother? If it's not in the film....leave it out!

And finally....the best parts! Beyonce Knowles ( as Foxy Cleopatra ),sings "Hey Goldmember",a hilarious disco pastiche,incorporating the major hits of KC & The Sunshine Band. A lot of fun. Dr.Evil and crew,of course,cannot hold back the urge to sing,and perform a parody of Jay Zee's parody of broadway hit,"Hard Knock Life". Dr.Evil apparently still has his stolen mojo working over time,and is as nasty as he wants to be. And not to be forgotten is Austin's own band,Ming Tea,performing "Daddy Wasn't There", a song that defines the whole theme of the film.( Why doesn't Ming Tea have their own album yet??? )

BUT....that's not all.....this CD includes the video for Ming Tea's "Daddy Wasn't There".( The full version,as opposed to the shorter version in the film. ).If you enjoy Austin Powers,and you enjoy the music in the films.....this is a no brainer purchase!

Mostly filled of re-sampled music, terrible covers, and one or two original songs. This album does not live upto any of the previous soundtracks. Even the title song ("Hey Goldmember") is just samples from "Shake Your Booty" and "Thats The Way I Like It" from KC & The Sunshine Band. "Its A Hard Knock Life" (Dr.Evil Mix) was not as good as the "Just The Two Of Us" from the second movie. Unless your a die hard Austin fan, I would skip this album... you get the drift. Do yourself a favor go and listen to the first two soundtracks.

love this soundtrack...too bad they still censored the rap song in jail that dr. evil and mini-me do...i wanted it uncensored damnit!!!!!
god i hate censorship...i'm an adult, i'm sure i could have handled whatever it was he said...will never know what he said now. god damned censorship[...]

Austin Powers has such a great movie,but the movie i haven't seen.My favorite songs are "Work It Out","Miss You","Boys","Groove Me","Mind Goldmember",and "Daddy Wasn't There".If i seen this movie yet,go buy it now!

Rating:4.15 stars

Albert

Dear Amazonians,

I disagree with some of the other reviewers who wrote their opinions about this album. I think this soundtrack is GREAT!. I do believe that even though the song "Hey Goldmember" is a combination of two songs, "Shake Shake Shake (Shake Your Booty)" -- K.C. and the Sunshine Band, and "That's The Way I Like It" -- K.C. and the Sunshine Band, this song, remixed and improvised upon, is truly original. Beyonce is not only a terrific singer, but a very talented actress.

The music on this soundtrack, while sung be very well known people in traditional styles, is very original. The song "Daddy Wasn't There," performed by Ming Tea featuring Mike Meyers himself, is extremely well produced. Mike Meyers has a good voice! He should consider expanding his career into music.

Mike Meyers, the originator of the Austin Powers enterprise is an infinitely creative person. He has taken an idea that at first, to the film studio, seemed like it would amount to nothing and proved it to be a stunning success. Groovy, Baby!

I think that Goldmember is by far the most creative of all the Austin Powers movies. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew, for making this movie a remarkeable success! Rock on!

Take care, as always,

--Daniel

I was very excited about this album coming out, but I am sadly disapointed. It has totally steered away from Austin's 60's image to make a weird mix of random stuff The Hard Knock life with Dr. Evil is pretty bad, definetly nothing compared to the Just the Two if Us in the previous movie. "Work it Out" with Beyonce has a good beat, but gets boring fast!

This is an awesome cd! Out of the 3 Austin Powers soundtracks, this one is definetly the best. You should buy it right now- you won't regret it!