Rent (2005 Movie Soundtrack)
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CD Details
Brand: RENTEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Soundtrack
CD Release Date: 2005-09-27
Music Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
- Seasons Of Love
- Rent
- You'll See
- One Song Glory
- Light My Candle
- Today 4 U
- Tango: Maureen
- Life Support
- Out Tonight
- Another Day
- Will I
- Santa Fe
- I'll Cover You
- Over The Moon
- La Vie Boheme
- I Should Tell You
- La Vie Boheme B
- Seasons of Love B
- Take Me or Leave Me
- Without You
- I'll Cover You Reprise
- Halloween
- Goodbye Love
- What You Own
- Finale A
- Your Eyes
- Finale B
- Love Heals
Music reviews of Rent (2005 Movie Soundtrack)
Music Review: In depth song by song first impressions...
Rating: 4 Stars
The following is a very long, very detailed review I wrote upon listening to the Rent: Motion Picture Soundtrack for the VERY first time (*Edit - If you can't see all of the review click on "See all customer reviews" at bottom of page. This should let you view the whole thing past You're Eyes)... I will listen to a track, pause it, then jot down my first impressions. I am sure my opinion of most of these songs will change (for good or ill) once I get used to them and once I see the movie... But here are my first takes on this movie adaptation of the show I know and love so much... Ignore spelling and grammar errors as I don't have the time or patience to fix them... Keep in mind when writing about a song I haven't heard any track after the one I am 'currently' writing about.
DISC ONE:
Seasons of Love:
I had never been overly crazy about this song to begin with... But this is just as good as the OBC album. Tracie Thoms does a great job singing in it.
Rent:
Seeing as 'Rent' was one of my favorite songs on the OBC album this 'lighter' version is kind of a let down... I do notice this album sounds more... I don't know the word... Dubbed maybe... I have to say I miss Benny and Joanne's part in this song and I am a bit let down... The great thing about the OBC is it was a grand build up to the end of the song that got more and more exciting as the song progressed to the finale with more characters and layers added as the song reached the climax. This version seems like the Rent: Light. It never seems to get that punch the original delivered in the end. I will admit though the orchestrations are MUCH better than the original.
You'll See:
I like this number... The overall deliverance I think is actually better than the OBC... Benny sounds good... He gets a little riffy in the end but nothing too over the top. I really hope the actors chose to use their 'riffs' wisely and conservatively (I am a actor/singer and I really feel riffing is a well used tool that is VERY effective when done correctly and in the right spots as long as you respect the music that is written on the page). Sometimes the song can be lost if it's done too much... I think on the OBC album they did it JUST enough... Let's hope it's the same here... And as before there is stuff missing at the end of the song (Angel and Collins etc...) But it doesn't seem to affect the song for me. All in all this is a good track. On we go...
One Song Glory:
Well... I was afraid after reading some reviews of Adam Pascal on this album that I wouldn't like this version BUT... I think (except for a little part in the middle of the song which I am sure I will be fine with once I get 'used' to it) this is an improvement over the original. The instrumentals and Roger's voice are all great. You can feel more emotion in this version I think... (More intensity). This is a great track.
Light My Candle:
This is my first exposure to Mimi (other than what I had heard in clips)... This track is also good... The original OBC Mimi ROCKS... She has an attitude and fire about her that you don't find on many albums... BUT when it came to caring for her I never really did. Upon hearing this Mimi I noticed a softness to her voice that in the beginning of the song I was VERY excited/intrigued by... I think it works. In the middle of the song I got worried because she seemed to be getting flat (in energy/acting not vocals) and repetitive (I suppose the character could be high on heroin)... But then she got much better and animated towards the end of the song and I got excited again...
Today 4 You
WOW! This one is GREAT. A 200% Improvement over the OBC one. Funny, when Angel says his first line an image of Elle Woods (Legally Blonde) popped into my head and I was like OH GOD I hope he doesn't play this over the top cutesy, but that image was gone almost as soon as it had come. This version is far superior to the original and Angel's choices in his riffs work REALLY well. The orchestrations are also a VAST improvement over the original. Also funny; In the end of the song he screams "FOR ME!" I had visions of Bette Midler from Gypsy!!! (play that part over and over and you get a frightening image of Midler with a hint of Michael Jackson..) I have WAY to much time on my hands... OK next...
Tango Maureen
Life Support
Nothing much to say... It sounds good. Serves its purpose.
Out Tonight
Out Tonight is probably one of the best songs from the show on the OBC... And although Rosario Dawson delivers it VERY well here as Mimi... She still plays second fiddle to Daphne Ruben Vega (in this particular song at least). I am pleased with this version. Though after her meow HA! (which were great) I wasn't sure what she was quite vocalizing there. The orchestrations (though good) are too much in this version and drown out Mimi significantly. The one thing she DOES do better then Daphne is her Ah-woooooot Tonight. Her modulation to the higher note sounds alot better than the original Mimi.
Another Day
Ugh. Well this is the first track I genuinely do not like. Another Day is in my opinion the best song in act one (and perhaps even the entire show). The OBC version had a simplicity about it that packed a punch of emotion that would send chills down your spine once Mimi started the 'main theme' of the show. Here Roger sounds great but the orchestrations are downright distracting. What begins the song sounds like something from an old Nintendo video game (Mega Man anyone?) and is devoid of any melody. Mimi also sounds flat (in pitch) through alot of this song. And I have to reiterate the orchestrations are just horrible, loud and abrasive to the melody... Sometimes less is more.
Will I
The guy Steve sounds great... Same as Life Support... Sounds great, serves its purpose. Very faithful to the original.
Santa Fe
Before I delve into my take on this song I need a little precursor... I was never a fan of Santa Fe... It was always the track that I got to and was like... "Oh Santa Fe" I would either listen to it or skip the track... BUT Santa Fe (for me) was one of those 'I discovered later" songs... I have been listening to the OBC album for 9 years... Within the past year Santa Fe has become one of my favorite songs on the first disc.
With that said:
Alright, I have bottled it up for far too long... For 11 Tracks have had bits and pieces of Collins and have kept my mouth shut. Some stuff sounded odd... But I said I'll wait 'til Santa Fe to hear how he does. Well I have just listened to it and what is this guy on? Not only are his vocal choices perplexing to say the least... They are also completely off key (mostly in his lower register). He sounds like some tripped out 70's late night "Soul Love" Mac-daddy radio station host. If he would have just sung the frakkin' song as written it would have sounded awesome. He clearly still has a voice but WTF?!?! Wowsers... This is a perfect example of way too many 'riffs'. Riffs are like traffic cones, you swerve AROUND the notes without knocking them over. Collins fell asleep at the wheel and veered off into a lake. He just failed Driver's Education. WHAT a disappointment. Angel sounds great though.
I'll Cover You
THANK GOD! After Collins abysmal slop on the previous track this song is GREAT! This song from the original was never one of my favorites. I liked it but I liked alot of the other songs better. Though Collins still sounds like he is having trouble, he pulls it off. Both he and Angel deliver this song effectively. I get good first impressions from it and feel it may be as strong (or stronger) than the original. Great stuff... So far I am VERY impressed with Angel.
OK... Time to hold my breath and cross my fingers...
Over the Moon
I don't know what to make of this... It's not BAD but it's nothing special either... I had heard alot of negative criticism of Maureen's performance on this album and I can see (at least thus far) why people would feel the way they do. The first point I have to make regarding this is Idina Menzel sounds VERY tired. It's quite possible her voice was tired or worn out. OR it is also quite possible that the director intentionally reeled her back. Big performances on stage are one thing... But on the screen they might be too much. I saw Idina (and Adam Pascal for that matter) in Aida on Broadway. She played Ameris. I have myself seen and performed in alot of shows. I am also EXTREMELY critical of theatre and singing (can you tell?). I have to say Idina's deliverance of 'I Know the Truth' on the night I saw Aida was the ***BEST*** performance I have EVER seen anyone do on stage. She blew the house down. I do not deal these compliments out lightly. (Realizing I haven't seen the movie yet and this is only based on what I have heard from people and on this last track thus far) I can only theorize that Columbus had to tone her down for the film... She is very powerful on stage but It just may have been WAY too much for the film. As a result she doesn't quite seem herself. It's not until the very end of the song when she lets out that (great) moo that SUDDENLY (as if she was previously vacant) Maureen finally appears! For anyone looking for the electricity and flair of the OBC Over the Moon, they won't find it here. It's not bad it's just very (very) toned down and very (very) different.
DISC 2
La Vie Boheme (A)
WOW... I will hold off on the majority of the La Vie Boheme 'review' until the second part... But this was GREAT! (Really, it was). I was getting chills... Also Benny sounds great in the beginning and Mimi sounding better and better... All the lyrics (for the most part) are intact too...
I Should Tell You
This is great! This is a perfect example of how simplicity works. This was really, really superb. This has a VERY different sound and orchestral structure/tempo than the original and it works so well I might like it better than the original. Mimi and Roger blend so well together they just melt into each other. I can't wait to hear Without You...
La Vie Boheme (B)
If this recording is any indication, this whole sequence will probably go down in movie history along with all the other great scenes from movies we love... This has all the soul, power and intensity of the original show. I once again got chills listening to it and I am thankful they did not change many (if any) of the lyrics... I miss Joanne's little singing bit before the second part begins but this is just freakin' awesome. I literally cannot wait until November to see it!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR
No there isn't a track for Happy New Year... But there should be. I am really bummed they left it out... It is a great character piece and is the ONLY song of all the cut ones I feel should have been left in.
Seasons of Love B
Sounds great... Just like the original reprise. Nice harmonies too...
Take Me or Leave Me
SHAZAM! There's Maureen!!! That was frakkin' awesome!!! Hey Collins take some driving lessons from Joanne, as she was whizzing around those traffic cones at 120+ mph!! She sounded SOOO good!!! She is incredible really. What a find. Both Joanne and Maureen in this song are top notch and do not waver at all. They both use their riffs like professionals should. Maureen is 100% on in this song. The orchestrations are also great. I am getting excited again!
Without You
I really have to emphasize how good Roger and Mimi sound together... It's really going to sell their love for each other for the film... It was always something that was lacking on the OBC for me. I stated earlier that I loved the OBC Mimi but I really didn't care for her... And the connection between Roger and Mimi never really was there for me. I think that will change for me with this version/the movie. Once again simplicity reigns in this song and it works (WHY oh WHY didn't they do it with Another Day is beyond me)... Roger gives a better performance in this version than his previous recording... He is much more toned down and isn't screaming the song like he was in the OBC album. I had always liked the song but never really liked the delivery of it... This time around I like it alot.
I'll Cover You (Reprise)
Hey Collins you're singing about you dead lover you are NOT on American Idol... Though not as bad as I had feared, it's not great. I feel no emotional connection to his deliverance of this song... I have to say I like Collins on the OBC ALOT and here on this Album I am just not impressed... Probably because he is just trying TO impress US with his singing. His notes reek of hey 'look I can sing' and I don't know how or why this has been allowed to transpire. The original version is so emotional because it seems like he isn't thinking but merely singing his heart... And you can really feel it. Maybe when the movie is released I will have a change of heart but until them I am sorely dissapointed. Also it seems as if when Collins sings with the rest of the cast here (most notably towards the end) he is out of rhythm with the rest... Singing a split second slower (or faster?) then them or something. I cannot put my finger on it but it is bizarre.
Halloween
This is great. Mark is strong and solid... One observation though... I have found a few times (very few) throughout this listening experience some of the modulations of the cast seem very similar to that of a computer effect (notice here when Mark says "steeple OF the church"). I have to give Kudos to Mark (and the others) for this vocal control as it is very effective and sounds rather cool and lends to the whole unique 'sound' of this show (which I am beginning to feel has a unique sound of its own VERY different than the original or any other musical for that matter). Of course I do feel they are NOT computer enhancements... But even if they were it sounds awesome!
Goodbye Love
Hey Collins actually sounds good in this! This is a good piece. It stays true to the original (I got chills from this one too). Joanne really just rocks in this movie. Mark and Roger sound great. It's clear the whole cast is acting more than they are singing and in a song like this that's ok. Mimi sounds great in the end and she even sounds sick in parts of this song. The nuances in the orchestrations are also pretty cool.
What You Own
With what has always been my favorite song on Disc 2 of the OBC album, I was scared that I wouldn't like this version... BUT after hearing it I am pleasantly surprised... I am not doing cartwheels, but I think this one will grow on me... It will take me awhile to get used to the "Ameri--CA." But the orchestrations are GREAT and the riffing/blending harmonies are mesmerizing. Mark sounds great (I miss his vibrato but I like this sound too...) and Roger again sounds good but is toned down from the OBC. I think I'll have to go listen to it again... ;)
I will do the next three as a group as I think they belong together...
Finale A/Your Eyes/Finale B
Well I am impressed with that. Mimi's performance when she is singing initially reminds me of Madonna's performance of Evita when she is dying. That scene in Evita made me cry and I think Madonna did a great job in Evita's end scene singing/acting as she was sick. Mimi sounds like she will also give an effective performance.
In regards to Your Eyes... I feel Adam Pascal's performance of the song on the OBC was nothing less than perfection. So any deviation from it will initially turn me off. That performance is probably, in my opinion, the most beautiful song/performance on the OBC show and one of the most emotional energetic spellbinding ends to any musical (can you tell I like it). With that in mind I don't like some of the things he has done ("Now I'd die, for one more day") but it's a good performance. Also something about the OBC when he sings "You can see it in my eyes..." Is incredible. I didn't find that here. But I think it will work on the screen.
As far as the end goes... There is no dialogue about leaping, mooing and Angel (I would assume it's in the movie) but it caps off just as the OBC album did. And ends a great run of songs...
Ooooh wait another song....
HALLELUJAH NO STEVIE WONDER!!!!!
Love Heals
A fitting end... The cast gets to sing together again in an additional 'credits' song. They all sound good... Very gospel. Very different. I might like it once I get used to it but it's not very Rent sounding.
So here's how it all broke down:
The Star Players on this Disc are Joanne, Angel and Mark. They are all solid (especially Joanne... she will go places).
Ones who I think will surprise us are Roger and Maureen who were both definitely toned down for this film in intensity. I think it will work once we see them on screen. They perform excellent on this album though they aren't as 'loud' (or 'vocally' impressive) as before. I think when translated on the screen their performances in conjunction with their actions/acting will balance this all out.
Solid Players are Mimi and Benny. I think Mimi has a sound alot of people will take to. She is sure to employ a cult following of her own much like Rubin-Vega... Benny sounds great, I only wish there was more for him to sing.
A big disappointment was Collins. His performance is so different they might has well have hired another actor to do the role. As I said earlier I might change my tune once I see the movie but upon listening to him I wasn't impressed and was actually quite turned off. Funny since loved him on the OBC Album...
Oh well that's it... Thanks for reading hope it helped.
(11-27-05 - I saw Rent a few days ago. Collins is great in the movie and the singing comes off well in the film. I am VERY glad I ended up liking his performance. Though musically I still prefer the OBC.)
Description of Rent (2005 Movie Soundtrack)
One of the longest-running shows (since 1996) in the history of Broadway, and one of its most beloved, RENT was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and four Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Based on Puccini's classic opera "La Boheme," Jonathan Larson's revolutionary rock opera tells the story of a group of bohemians struggling for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic in New York's gritty East Village. Now the powerful musical marks its 10th year on stage by coming to the big screen, accompanied by RENT The Motion Picture Soundtrack, produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, Alanis Morissette).It's not that surprising that Rent, a successful musical with a strong youth following, would have transferred from the New York stage to film. What is remarkable is that the material has aged very well and that most of the original cast have made the trip to the silver screen. This is no small feat since nearly ten years have elapsed since the show's Off-Broadway debut and the film's release. When it opened in 1996, Jonathan Larson's rock musical based on neobohemian life in the gritty East Village felt a bit hackneyed at times; now, Rent feels more like a Broadway fantasy about life on the edge, and that new element actually works in the show's favor. The two cast additions--Rosario Dawson (replacing Daphne Rubin-Vega as Mimi) and Tracie Thomas (replacing Fredi Walker as Joanne)--act well and with emotion, but aren't quite powerful enough. They are eclipsed by vets such as Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, and Taye Diggs, who of course had the chance to perfect their roles on stage and can also be heard on the original cast recording. It's a pleasure to hear these stalwarts New York performers strut their stuff again. This soundtrack will please the show's fans, and probably attract new ones. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
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