Brother Bear

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Music reviews of Brother Bear

Music Review: A Job Well-Done
Rating: 4 Stars

This one is the best off the whole CD. From the start of the music, you can tell it's going to be an upbeat and charging song. You aren't, however, prepared for the more emotional quality you find in it. This track has a style all its own. It's a one you'll probably find yourself lip-syncing to, easily. It draws you right in, and I don't think Disney could have started their Soundtrack with a better song!

TWO: Great Spirits (Tina Turner)

I wasn't as impressed with this track, mostly because Tina's voice is not my favorite style. It's very deep and powerful, and really quite professional. I've no doubt that many will enjoy such music as this. As to the lyrics, looking past the Indian message that is put across, I greatly enjoyed the way this track was mixed. In the end, this song is still worth hearing, if only for a taste of originality. (Phil Collin's version of this song is excellent, but only available through certain US stores)

THREE: Welcome

I didn't care much for this song when first I heard it, mostly because the lyrics are quite simplistic at first listen. Afterwards, I came to the conclusion that the style was good, and the singing and music were neither annoying nor wandering. As to the lyrics, they still seem somewhat basic, but in the end, it all boils down to opinion. There are certainly things to like about this song, even if it wasn't the best.

FOUR: No Way Out (Single)

Probably one of the most excellent tracks on this CD, this song is both emotional and hopeful in the course of the same lyrics. One might say it's needlessly sad, with words like "everyone I love; they're all gone" but I honestly find it an even balance, thanks to the much happier ending. I think this track ended up a great illustration of the movie Brother Bear in general; a journey from despair and loss to hope and revelation. It was very artistically done with beautiful piano to top it off. This track was outstanding!

FIVE: Transformation (Choir)

Very powerfully preformed; It has an originality that I think Disney did justice. It's not typically my style, but I think this is just unique enough, that even if the sound doesn't suit you, it's worth a hear for the interest of it.

SIX: On My Way

This one is great. From the beginning, you know you're going to enjoy it. I think I liked it ever since I first heard it in the trailer. It's upbeat, exciting, really makes you want to go hitchhiking in the woods, and is void of the slightly shallow lyrics that I felt peppered Welcome. On My Way is fun without being trivial. A worthy favorite.

SEVEN: Welcome (Choir)

Yet again, it's the same lyrics, and therefore I don't care extremely for the song, though I don't dislike in any particular way either. As to the Blind Boys themselves, they seem to be quite talented, and, like Tina, would be worth a listen if only to hear something original. Not my favorite, but I still listen to it a lot.

EIGHT: No Way Out (Movie)

Still the emotional song it was in the Single version, though without the happy ending, as this one is about a third as long. And despite of the perhaps mood-breaking use of "brother bear" in the midst of the lyrics, a line that is missing from the Single version makes up for it. A much more touching line: "You trusted me, believed in me, and I let you down". A little more ending fill-in sort of music than I'd prefer, but still a favorite of mine.

NINE: Transformation

For starters, excellent music. I love the beat and the tone, which ends up all-together thrilling throughout the song. Unfortunately, this isn't a great stand-alone song, though it was ideal for the movie itself, since you're watching as well as listening. The primary problem is that the lyrics are quite repetitious, and by the end you're very sick of the words: "see through another's eyes". I know these lyrics are like keywords in the movie, and therefore fitting, but I don't think they necessarily had to be in there as much as they were.

TEN: Three Brothers
ELEVEN: Awakes as a bear
TWELVE: Wilderness of Danger and Beauty

These are all three music-only tracks, and though I liked this Soundtrack more for the songs than the music, I found myself quite attached to all of these. I've grouped them together, mostly because all the compositions sound roughly alike with ongoing themes throughout each. Some of the music can be recognized as melodies from the songs, and some are more the "Brother Bear theme" which is a likable and charging piece of music. In the end, considering Phil Collins hasn't done a score before, these were nearly ingenious. Measured as a piece of music, apart from Phil's involvement, they were definitely well-done, at the least, and enjoyable to listen to.

OVERALL: Brother Bear Soundtrack

The overall quality of this CD is excellent. It's both exciting and fun, and then again, surprisingly emotional for a Disney soundtrack - something I liked a great deal about it. And, despite the fact that this too is a Phil Collins job, it ended up something much different than that of Tarzan. The score isn't plodding, but rather refreshing, and the steady Indian-like beat throughout even the sadder songs gives it consistency and enthusiasm. You don't even have to like the movie to enjoy this CD.

Worth buying? I'd definitely say so!

RATING: 4 stars

I think, that thanks to songs like ONE and SIX, this CD really does deserve 5 stars, but in the end, due to some unnecessarily slow sections and the not-as-refreshing Tina Turner, to remove just one star seems appropriate. But I give the other 4 whole-heartedly!

Cheers!
~Chloe

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