Tag: Glee

Music Review >> ‘Glee: The Music Presents The Warblers’

If you follow my blog here, then you know that I have already reviewed every Dalton Academy Warbler track that has been released up until this new Glee: The Music presents The Warblers album. Basically, this is going to a scrapbook of a review post, because all reviews from “Teenage Dream” to “Raise Your Glass” are coming from my previous Glee Cast reviews. Just a friendly FYI.

Track 1 – “Teenage Dream“

Hands down my favorite track from “Never Been Kissed” was Dalton Academy Warblers’ version of Katy Perry’s huge hit, “Teenage Dream.” The song features lead vocals from Glee newcomer, Darren Criss (Blaine). This is a song that I wouldn’t expect to hear covered by a guy, but I thought Glee’s interpretation was wonderful.

The arrangement for this song is great. Replacing instruments with harmonizing does not go unnoticed. The harmonizing is a huge part about what makes Glee’s take on “Teenage Dream” so successful.

I really enjoy Criss’ voice. His voice is a great addition to the cast this season, and I hope that the audience gets to hear more from him.

Track 2 – “Hey, Soul Sister”

The multiple-part harmonies combined with Criss’ voice breathe new life into one of the most over-played songs on the radio.

Track 3 – “Bills, Bills, Bills”

In “The Sue Sylvester Bowl Shuffle” episode, we once again hear from Dalton Academy’s Warblers who sing Destiny’s Child hit song, “Bills, Bills, Bills.” The song features cast member Darren Criss (Blaine) on lead vocals.

Criss is showing some vocal versatility on his part with this track. If you’ve listened to his EP, you kind have the idea that he’s more of a folk-pop singer. He really embraced the spirit of this track and infused the attitude of the lyrics into his vocal. I really liked hearing Criss on an R&B track, because it allowed him to show a more soulful side to his voice.

I also have to give mention to the very talented singers, the Beelzebubs from Tufts University, who play The Warblers. Their a cappella skills are like none other that I’ve heard in a while. I think they did a phenomenal job on the backing vocals for “Bills, Bills, Bills.”

Continue reading Music Review >> ‘Glee: The Music Presents The Warblers’

‘Glee’ Music Preview >> “Somewhere Only We Know”

Hey Gleeks!

Check out a performance clip of Blaine (Darren Criss) and the Dalton Academy Warblers singing Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” from tomorrow night’s 90-minute long Glee episode, “Born This Way”!

What do y’all think? And are you excited for the super-sized episode of Glee?

‘Glee’ Music Preview >> “What Kind of Fool”

We’re just about a week away from the release of Glee: The Music presents The Warblers, the latest album from the hit FOX series Glee.

One of the Warblers’ previously unreleased tracks, Barbra Streisand’s “What Kind of Fool” found it’s way to the internet over the weekend. Take a listen below!

I’m fairly convinced now that Darren Criss can pretty much sing anything. He’s such an immense talent, and I’m looking forward to seeing him perform on the Glee tour this summer.

Glee: The Music presents The Warblers will be released April 19.

Video: Bonnie Dune Live at Bottom of the Hill

I headed out to San Francisco last night with one of my friends to check out the band Bonnie Dune at Bottom of the Hill. Cory Monteith, who plays Finn Hudson on Glee, plays the drums in the band!

I had heard a handful of their songs prior to the show and really dug their sound. After seeing Bonnie Dune perform live, I can attest that they are pretty awesome! I strongly urge you to check them out if they ever roll through your town!

As always, I brought something back from the show to share with the class! Enjoy Bonnie Dune performing, “Haunting”!

Awesome, right?

For more info on Bonnie Dune, check out their Facebook & Twitter pages.

New ‘Glee’ Promo!

After last night’s repeat episode of “Grilled Cheesus,” Glee unveiled a new promo for what’s to come starting April 19, including a quick shot of New Directions performing Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.”

Watch the latest promo below!

I cannot wait for Glee to return!

Jonathan Groff to Return to ‘Glee’!

Earlier this week, TV|Line’s Michael Ausiello divulged the news that I have been waiting months to hear; Jonathan Groff will be reprising his role of Jesse St. James before the end of season two of Glee!

Oh, heck yes!

According to Ausiello’s source, “He’s back to apologize to Rachel, and perhaps get her back.”

Interesting!

I am so excited for Groff’s return to the show! His storyline with Lea Michele’s character Rachel Berry came to an unexpected halt last season, without a real sense of closure between the two as a couple. It will be a treat to see what shenanigans Ryan Murphy has in store for the couple affectionately known as, “St. Berry”!

Are you excited for Jonathan Groff’s return to Glee?

‘Glee’ Music Preview >> “Somewhere Only We Know”

Earlier this weekend, another track from the highly anticipated Glee: The Music presents The Warblers album appeared on the internet.

Take a listen to the Warblers’ take on Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know,” which will be featured on an upcoming episode of Glee.

I am a huge fan of this song. I tip my hat to the Glee music producers; they did a great job with this track.

I think Darren Criss sounds fantastic on everything he’s recorded for Glee this season, and this track is no exception. He really is able to utilize his voice to connect emotionally with the audience, and I think that’s part of why people just adore him.

Glee: The Music presents The Warblers is out April 19.

Glee Music Premiere: “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?”

Glee: The Music presents The Warblers is available for pre-order on iTunes now!

One of the exclusive tracks, “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” is currently available for download.

Take a listen below!

Glee: The Music presents The Warblers will be available on April 19. Check out Glee’s official music site for more information.

‘Glee: The Music Presents The Warblers’ Out April 19

Glee: The Music presents The Warblers is due out April 19, and will highlight Glee’s Dalton Academy Warblers, the all-male a capella singing group featuring Darren Criss, Chris Colfer, the Tufts University Beezlebubs.

The album will include “Teenage Dream,” which still holds the record of having the best first-week sales of any Glee track, along with “Bills, Bills, Bills,” and “When I Get You Alone.” The album will additionally feature two exclusive songs, one of which being Barbra Streisand’s “What Kind of Fool,” which Darren Criss and the Warblers performed as the opening number at the 2011 MusiCares Person of the Year gala.

Songs from Glee’s Dalton Academy Warblers have sold 1.3 million tracks to date. In the last week, Glee had it’s highest first-week sales from a single episode with 722,998 downloads of tracks from “Original Song.” Combined with their other music, Glee sold 964,000 downloads in the last seven days, which breaks their own record that they set this past February with 880,000 tracks sold in one week.

Glee: The Music presents The Warblers is set to be released April 19. For more information on music from Glee, check out their official music website.

Glee: The Music presents The Warblers track listing:

1. “Teenage Dream” (Katy Perry)
2. “Hey Soul Sister” (Train)
3. “Bills, Bills, Bills” (Destiny’s Child)
4. “Silly Love Songs” (Wings)
5. “When I Get You Alone” (Robin Thicke)
6. “Animal” (Neon Trees)
7. “Misery” (Maroon 5)
8. “Blackbird” (The Beatles)
9. “Candles” (Hey Monday)
10. “Raise Your Glass” (P!nk)
11. “Somewhere Only We Know” (Keane)
12. “What Kind Of Fool” (Barbra Steisand)
13. “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” (Rod Stewart)

Originally posted on BlogCritics.

Music Review >> Glee Cast – “Original Song”

In this week’s mix of music, Glee offered up three full-length original tracks, as well as three tracks from Dalton Academy’s Warblers, and a solo from Chris Colfer. To be honest, this was probably one of the best weeks for Glee, musically speaking.

Let’s talk about the original songs, shall we? Both “Get It Right” and “Loser Like  Me” debuted after the announcement that there would be original songs on Glee this season a few weeks ago.

Upon first listen, I was semi-horrified at “Loser Like Me.” It’s co-written by the master writer of all pop songs, Max Martin, so I felt like I had to give the song another chance. It’s definitely a Max Martin song. It has a good beat and cheesy, yet catchy lyrics.

I think that it should not have been sung by Lea Michele (Rachel) and Cory Monteith (Finn). I am assuming they were showcased in the song, since it was being used for Regionals, and neither of them were featured in the songs used for Sectionals. I think that Mark Salling (Puck) and Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina) would have been a better fit for the song. Ushkowitz is a wasted talent on the show and deserves her turn in the spotlight.

Michele’s voice on “Get It Right” is phenomenal. I love how her vocals are reined in, and then build up to that wonderful glory note. I seriously got chills while listening to it. I also love how the song related to Michele’s character’s storyline.

The thing with both “Get It Right” and “Loser Like Me” is that they work much better within context of the episode, which is definitely a good thing. I think both songs are pretty good anthems, and hopefully they do speak to the audience. But for me, I probably won’t be singing along to them in my car anytime soon.

“Hell To The No” was the third original song included in with this week’s song releases. Amber Riley (Mercedes) takes the lead on this very much ridiculous track. I just can’t take this song seriously when there’s a line about the previous tots storyline. Also, this is probably Riley’s weakest vocal performance to date. She sounded as if she was shouting throughout the length of the song.
Continue reading Music Review >> Glee Cast – “Original Song”