Tufts University Beezlebubs

Music Review >> Glee Cast – “Born This Way”

This week’s music from Glee was quite the eclectic mix, but supplied the perfect soundtrack for the “Born This Way” episode.

Glee really brought it with the music this week. I truly enjoyed every track, but the absolute standout for me was the mash-up of West Side Story’s “I’m Pretty” with TLC’s “Unpretty,” which was sung by Lea Michele (Rachel) and Dianna Agron (Quinn).

I usually am not a huge fan of Agron’s vocals, but this mash-up really worked for her. “Unpretty” needs a soft and vulnerable vocal to make it work, and I thought she pulled it off well. I really enjoyed the contrast of her voice with Michele’s and the interchanging “I feel pretty” lines. Both ladies sound fantastic, and it was nice to hear a duet from them.

Cory Monteith (Finn) took on Sammy Davis Jr.’s “I’ve Gotta Be Me.” After listening to this track, I found this to be the best that Monteith has sounded vocally all season. It’s a very clean vocal from him, and his personality is infused throughout the song. I was taken aback a little bit when I saw this song on the track listing this week, but after seeing the episode last night, the song was a great choice for not only Monteith’s voice, but the overall theme of the “Born This Way” episode.

One of my very favorite songs, “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane was sang by Darren Criss (Blaine) and the Dalton Academy Warblers. Seriously, what can’t this dude sing? Criss has a way of emotionally connecting to every song that he sings. With “Somewhere Only We Know,” the listening audience gets to hear a very vulnerable and sincere vocal performance from him. I definitely think Glee did this song justice. And of course, shout out to the Tufts University Beezlebubs for the great backing vocals.

Chris Colfer (Kurt) returns to the solo spotlight with “As If We Never Said Goodbye” from Broadway’s Sunset Boulevard. Colfer’s vocals on this track are just stunning. The track is truly just absolute ear candy. I am hoping since Colfer’s character has now returned to the New Directions that we will be treated to a couple more solos before the season’s end.

When I found out that Glee was planning on using Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” for this episode, I thought the song was just too new to utilize for the show. But, what do I know anyway, since this song fit this week’s episode like a glove. With Colfer, Amber Riley (Mercedes) and Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina) on lead vocals, Gaga’s “Born This Way” was hit with a dose of attitude and sass – Glee-style. I am all for uptempo group numbers, and “Born This Way” delivers in a big way.

I think this week’s bundle of Glee music may just be the best of the season, if not a close second after the music from the episode “Never Been Kissed.” Hats off to Glee’s music producers and music supervisors; the song choices and overall production were very much on point this week.

The music from “Born This Way” is available now on iTunes.

Glee airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. on FOX.

Originally posted on Blogcritics.

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.

‘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.