Customer Reviews

The Muppets

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me start by saying that I wasn't looking for this album.

It somehow popped up in the recommendations for me and I figured what the heck.

Turns out, it's a pretty good album!!! If you like the style and comedy of the Muppets, then this album will probably make you smile.

There are a couple of different songs on the album by artists of old, but to me the real stars are the original songs and the songs done by the Muppets themselves. Even the Muppet Show Theme seems to be a strong entry in this collection.

I found myself clucking along with the chickens in the Muppet rendition of "Forget (or the explitive version) You" by Cee Lo Green. It's funny how much the clucks actually sound like the song, if you know the song.

I also really enjoyed "Man or Muppet" by Jason Segal. I've enjoyed Segal's songs before, mainly the couple of them from "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and this one fits with those as well. It's basically a duet but it's entertaining the whole time.

Songs done by the Muppets like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" are just hilarious, especially when they are done by a Barbershop Quartet.

The album finishes strongly with a Muppet version of "Mah Na Mah Na," which you may not know by name, but you've probably heard it before...I never knew what it was called, but as soon as it started, I knew what it was from numerous commercials and other things.

As is the case with lots of movie soundtracks these days, this one includes lots of little segments of lines from the film. Often, I find these to be completely unnecessary and they usually have nothing to do with the songs on the album, but this one seems a bit different. Many of them go hand in hand with the song that they come before or after.

Overall, if you're a fan of the Muppets, you're going to absolutely love this album. I know I did!!

It may only be 40 minutes long but if you like the Muppets and enjoy silly, engaging, eclectic music with a lot of variety, you'll find a lot to love in this new Muppet Movie soundtrack. Even the `old' songs from the original movie seem revitalized and new.

There are 15 intro tracks on the CD, usually spoken dialogue from the movie, and 15 actual songs.

Both Jason Seigel (Gary) and Peter Linz (Walter the Muppet) can really carry a tune and do a great job on the tracks they're featured on together. 'Life's a Happy Song' it sweet, but not overly so. The `Are you a Man or a Muppet' track is a GEM. Clever, hilarious and touching. ("Am I a man or a Muppet? If I'm a man then I'm a muppet of a man.") It has kind of a 70's rock ballad feel, which I'm guessing is Jason Seigel's influence. Definitely my favorite track on the CD so far.

`Me and Julio...' is not a remake as I thought (hoped) it might be, but it's still a great classic which fits in with the feel the soundtrack. 'We Built this City' is also the Starship original and, in my opinion, doesn't really seem to go along with the tone of the soundtrack. I'm curious to see how both fit into the movie.

`Rainbow Connection' is on the soundtrack twice. The first remake is an advertisement sung by Fozzy. It's mildy funny the first time around but it just makes me miss the original. Luckily you get to a better version later on in the CD.

`Me Party' is a latin-flavored disco song featuring Amy Adams and Miss Piggy - Amy has a sweet voice and the track is a solid entry on the CD. ("What happens at a Me Party stays at a Me Party...")

`Let's Talk about Me' is one of the best tracks on the soundtrack, featuring Nathan Pacheco and Chris Cooper... rapping. Weird, but it totally works. This is obviously the bad guy's song as he explains through the lyrics why he hates the Muppets. The music has a great groove and I could see this being a single on the radio if it had `serious' lyrics.

The Barbershop quartet version of the Nirvana classic 'Smells like Teen Spirit' is... well... ridiculous, disturbing, hilarious and strangely charming all at the same time. It features my favorite muppet, Beaker. You just have to hear it for yourself. I chuckled at all of Beaker's lyrics. I especially love his reaction when Fozzy let's on he knows a dirty word. (BTW, does anyone else find it just a little wrong that any Muppet would know a dirty word?)

The lady chickens version of 'Forget You' (or 'Cluck You' as I like to call it) is probably the most fun track on the entire CD. It's crazy that a song made up of clucking could be successful but I really think these `Princesses of Poulty' pull it off - largely in part to Cee Lo Green's catchy, upbeat song. Listen to it and NOT smile, I dare you.

By the time Miss Piggy and Kermit sing the classic 'The Rainbow Connection' it feels fresh even though it was originally done in the first movie. And I think Miss Piggy's taken some singing lessons since the original Muppet Movie because she can actually carry a tune now. :)

I loved `The Whistling Caruso' - Andrew Bird uses his voice amazingly in this mini-classical piece.

The second-to-last music track on the CD includes the whole gang (Amy and Jason included) in an almost too-sweet wrap-up finale song. I can't say it really appeals to me yet, but I'm guessing it's actually a perfect little ditty to finish out the story.

It was kind of cruel (in a fun way) for the makers of this album to put the infectious 'Mah Na Mah Na' as the last track on the album. Why? Because you will be walking around the rest of the day with it stuck in your head. Seriously. Watch out.

Please keep in mind I haven't seen the movie yet, but I can't wait to go check it out. Hearing this great soundtrack confirms to me that I'll like the movie and when I do see it I know I'll appreciate the soundtrack music even more. I picked up the entire MP3 album as an Amazon special. I'm glad I did and I happily recommend it.

Saw the movie last night, got super nostalgic with each old song, got super excited with each new song. If you're searching for that familiar warm and uplifting spirit, the Muppets have not lost it--they've only expanded it!

See the movie. Buy the soundtrack. Share, repeat.

And have a Happy Thanksgiving! :D

If you miss FOTC, you can get a piece of it with this movie and the soundtrack. Bobin was a major writer/director for the show and it seems he employed his old boss, Brett McKenzie, to be the musical coordinator. Part of what makes the movie so wonderful is the soundtrack (although there are many more reasons). And part of what makes the soundtrack so wonderful is Brett's contribution. Much like Rio's "Pretty Bird" had many hallmarks of a FOTC piece due to Jermaine, you can feel the impact of the group all over this movie. The easiest is the music, which is much more erudite than any Muppet music of the past. "Man or Muppet" could have come right out of the duo's act or the show. And once you start realizing Brett's role, you see it more in such songs as "Let's Talk About Me" which seemed odd in the movie until a second viewing where you consider it in regards to Hippopotamus, and then it makes a ton of sense. Even "Life's a Happy Song" has much of the wordplay you would associate with the 4th most popular parody folk band from New Zealand. But aside from the movie, there are visuals via Bobin that harken back to the great show. Kristen Schall makes an appearance, Amy Adams's diner scene makes a shout-out to the opening credits of FOTC (which of course make reference to Charlie Chaplin) and the final scene is pulled right out of "Brown Paper, White Paper".

So aside from being the best Muppet Movie ever, if you are a FOTC devotee, there's a little extra for you in this. I've bought the album and felt quite justified to place the music in my "FOTC" play list :) Enjoy

As a longtime fan of the muppets, I was very excited to see that a new movie was being released. It did not disappoint!! I immediately came home and ordered the soundtrack. The tunes are catchy, very 'muppetesque'. Most of the songs are original. Many different genres of music are represented from showtunes to R&B and disco. The excerpts from the movie between the songs reinforces the changing tones in the movie. My kids LOVE it! Way to go Disney and Jason Segel! 5 starts without a doubt!

First of all, the Muppets movie of 2011 is better than any other live action movie in years. I only wish the overrated Kings Speech was this good. The music is very much part of the viewing experience and how well it stands on its own is up to debate. After seeing the movie I very much enjoyed the music on its own and my 7 year old can't get enough. I'd say that this is a great CD for kids and that's going to be the primary strength. Someone is complaining about filler and dialogue elements, but what we have here is a VERY generous amount of material geared for the correct audience...kids and kids at heart! This is not All That Jazz or Cabaret. Nor would I spend too time playing this for critical listening on my high-end audio system...we've got a great CD here, but the appeal is skewed heavily for a younger set. Songs like Man or Muppet and Life's a Happy Song are well worth the price of admission on their own. Meanwhile, Muppet fans can rejoice as this film holds it's own with the excellent original Muppet Movie and perhaps even exceeds it in some respects, especially when it has the ability to tap into nostalgic elements. Jim Henson would be proud that his work has been brought back to life in a fashion befitting his tremendous legacy.

We took our little girl to see the movie and it instantly became the best family movie we had seen. There are lots of great, comic songs performed by the muppets including a brilliant version of Smells Like Teen Spirit by the barbershop quartet as well as Forget You by the chickens. Yet the classic, Rainbow Connection, still stands out 30 years later as a great and uplifting song. To see my little girls face while it was being sung nearly brought tears to my eyes.
You can easily sit and listen to the album straight through and not be dissappointed.
Here we are so many years later and the Muppets still are king when it comes to family entertainment. The movie and soundtrack bring back alot of great memories and the uplifting, positive message of the film is as good as it gets. I would give the soundtrack 10 stars if I could along with the movie. It's proof positive that true family films can still be made and made at a high level. I could not recommend this more!!

Calling all Muppet Fans!

This is a rallying cry! The movie is GREAT! It far exceeded my VERY high "old school" expectations, and EVERYONE should go see it. The music is light, poignant, fun, and engaging. The guest stars filled their spots nicely. The story has it's highs, lows and "Muppet Madness". Overall, I loved it! Please, please, please go support The Muppets and see the movie - it's more than worth it to keep them going so we can all enjoy them together.

My favorite original song BY FAR is "Pictures in My Head". Emotional, beautifully arranged, and VERY well executed by Kermit (Steve Whitmire).

I am ordering my soundtrack right now! Why not so the same? For you AND any Muppet fan in your life!

Like the movie it's based on, this soundtrack manages to capture everything that made the Muppets classic while simultaneously bringing them into the 21st century, without degrading these Henson creations in the slightest! Muppet fans old and new will not be able to wipe the smile off of their faces after a single listen. Warning: You WILL be whistling these tunes.

For new fans, there are plenty of fresh numbers that live up to the Henson-era classics (one's even nominated for an Academy Award)! For the old fogies among us, there are plenty of classic numbers redone with a level of dignity rarely witnessed in the ATM that passes itself off as Hollywood, nowadays.

From start to finish, there isn't a bad number. Okay, maybe the rap was a little unnecessary, but when you see the movie, you'll see just how absurdly Muppets the whole thing was -- even the rap! Watch the movie! Buy the soundtrack! This is the best Muppets' film and best Muppets' soundtrack since those zany Muppets went and took Manhattan and Jim Henson would most certainly be proud.

Maybe next time we'll see a Jason Segel written and Frank Oz directed sequel with a soundtrack to surpass even that found in the original Muppet Movie. If Kermit taught us one thing, it's that one can dream!

This CD is fun and energetic. It is a particularly "feel good"'album and I thoroughly enjoy listening to it :)