Cars [Original Soundtrack] [Collector's Edition] [Enhanced, Soundtrack]

Randy Newman (Composer), James Taylor (Performer), Rascal Flatts (Performer), Sheryl Crow (Performer), Brad Paisley (Performer), The Chords (Performer), Chuck Berry (Performer), John Mayer (Performer), Hank Williams (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: James Taylor, Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, The Chords, et al.
• Composer: Randy Newman
• Audio CD (June 6, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Soundtrack
• Label: Walt Disney Records
• ASIN: B000EUMPBS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (149 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,154 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #55 in Music > Children's Music > Disney

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Cars is a typical Disney-Pixar animated movie in that it deals with an anthropomorphic character (here, a car) and the heartwarming values of family and friendship. (Alas, we'll have to wait a little while longer for the company to take on greed and selfishness.) The accompanying soundtrack is equally typical in that it's split between catchy pop songs and a score by Randy Newman. The clear highlight of the pop tracks is Sheryl Crow's boisterous, huge-sounding "Real Gone" (her best song in ages). Rascal Flatts also cover Tom Cochrane's 1991 hit "Life Is a Highway," while John Mayer rocks out on "Route 66" (Chuck Berry's elegantly lean version is included as well). For his part, Newman continues his distinguished association with quality animation by supplying a nimble score. It's fun to hear him deploy riffs that wouldn't be out of place on a Quiet Riot album on the bombastic "Opening Race," while the bluesy "Bessie" does George Thorogood with a tuba. The CD's overall Southern flavor is emphasized by the frequent use of banjo and slide guitar, as well as by score tracks cantering about, like "McQueen and Sally." And, as usual, Newman delivers a nostalgic, misty-eyed song--in this case "Our Town," performed by that master of sensitive laid-back charm, James Taylor. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Product Description

The High Octane Film event of the Summer! Cars is the journey of Lightning McQueen, a hotshot animated race car voiced by actor Owen Wilson. En route to a big race, the cocky McQueen gets waylaid in Radiator Springs, where he finds the true meaning of friendship and family. The all star vocal cast includes free-wheeling performances by Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, Tony Shalhoub, Michael Keaton, George Carlin, Katherine Helmond and Cheech Marin. The Soundtrack: The Ultimate Road Trip Album! The soundtrack features some of today's most popular country, rock and pop stars including all-new music and new recordings of road classic favorites by music superstars Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, James Taylor and score by Academy Awardr winner Randy Newman. The music will make you want to put the top down, turn the volume up and cruise! Music is heavily integrated throughout the .lm, revving up the audience for the soundtrack! Collector's Edition Digipak is available on the initial orders only.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 93 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What Fun! June 14, 2006

By Janet Boyer HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

My son and I saw Cars over the weekend and I LOVED the movie! The music was incredible, a perfect backdrop to the story and stunning visuals.

Frankly, I'm surprised I like this CD so much because I am NOT a fan of country music! In fact, I (ordinarily) despise it. But Sheryl Crow's rockin' Real Gone and Rascal Flatts' cover of Life is a Highway are AWESOME! I keep crankin' the latter because it's just a FUN song when done by Rascal Flatts! (Never liked the original, believe it or not.)

There's some oldie tunes sprinkled throughout, and my son enjoys both versions of Route 66. A lot. In fact, he's upstairs toggling between those two songs!

If you saw the movie and thought it was as OUTSTANDING (and heartwarming) as I did, this Soundtrack will engender those same "feel good" feelings. Randy Newman's ethereal, moving strings are magnificent, so the instrumental parts are excellent. "Tractor Tipping" is a rousing hoe-down of a song that makes me smile because I remember the hilarious scene with Mater and Lightning in the field!

Cars: The Soundtrack is a great CD for the whole family (unless you have someone who absolutely hates all forms of country music no matter what--like my husband!). But if you've seen the movie, you'll likely enjoy this fun soundtrack (even if you're not a fan of country music like me!)

P.S. This CD comes with a cool fold-out which shows the colorful folks from Radiator Springs.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Little Boy and I love it! October 11, 2006

By Raquel S.

Format:Audio CD

My 3 YO son, who wouldn't sit through the whole movie, still loves everthing CARS. He knows and plays with all the characters, enjoys the video game, and LOVES the CARS the music soundtrack. He dances to the songs or has me play it while he eats his lunch or dinner. It's fun to watch him enjoy this album so much, especially when his second favorite is a toddler tunes CD that sings ABCs and 123s.

For me, I really enjoy this album. The fact that my son and I can enjoy the same music together is priceless. The upbeat tunes make it fun to clean house.

Although it's kind of odd to have a mix of songs and music only sountrack on one album, for this album - CARS - it works great. I have no complaints and I'm very happy (as is my 3YO boy) to own this CD.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a soundtrack the whole family will enjoy June 8, 2006

By Robert G Yokoyama VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I loved all the tracks on this CD. The first track entitled Real Gone by Sheryl Crow is an energetic rock song with a nice beat. This song is about what it feels like to be young and free. Brad Paisley contributes a very pretty song here entitled Find Yourself. It is a beautiful song about trying to fit into a new environment and making new friends. Life Is A Highway is a good song about looking for adventure on the open road. There are two good versions of Route 66 here. I love the classic version by Chuck Berry. The new version by John Mayer is equally enjoyable. James Taylor performs a very pretty song entitled Our Town here. This song is very touching. My Heart Would Know is a very relaxing laid back country song by Hank Williams Jr. Sh Boom is just a very fun cute song. Randy Newman provides an excellent musical score. He really conveys the spirit of the movie in these instrumental tracks. I could feel the excitement and the tension of cars racing in the tracks entitled Opening Race and The Big Race. McQueen and Sally is another one of my favorite instrumental tracks. It conveys the spirit of friendship so well. This is a CD that the whole family will enjoy.