Picking up where Volume 1 left off, Glee: The Music, Volume 2 offers the remaining songs from the fall season of Glee. Volume 2 is chock full of Top 40, R&B, and, of course, gives another nod to Broadway.
We’ve already established that the Glee actors can sing. Standouts this go-round include Mathew Morrison and Lea Michele's (Will and Rachel) duet cover of “Endless Love,” which is just as good, if not better, than the original Lionel Richie and Diana Ross version. I also greatly prefer Morrison’s vocals in ballads such as this, to the pop and/or rap he usually performs on the show.
Another standout is Cory Monteith's (Finn) version of The Pretender’s “I’ll Stand By You,” performed with sweetness and adorable awkwardness. (No, Monteith is not the strongest singer of this bunch, but he’s probably the most earnest, which earns him extra points in my book.)
Kevin McHale (Artie) and Amber Riley (Mercedes) take the lead for a cover of Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” and Riley’s toned-down vocals allow for everyone to shine in this version, which is pleasant and surprising given that she usually drowns everyone else out. Riley also shares the spotlight with McHale, Monteith and Michele for an outstanding cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine,” delivering a beautiful, tender take on an already perfect song.
The whole gang, fronted by Monteith, Michele, McHale and Riley, pump up the volume on Van Halen’s “Jump,” offering a fun, clever cover that I prefer to the original (in a nice twist, they dropped the keyboard and ba ba ba ba babada ba ba da’d instead). In the cover of The Rolling Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” Michele, Monteith, McHale and Riley hold their own, not surpassing the original but doing it justice just the same.
Michele, whose vocals seem made for pop music, delivers a perfectly sugar-coated cover of Jennifer Paige’s “Crush.” Ditto to Michele, Monteith, Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina) and Riley, who all join vocal forces to deliver a toe-tapping, head nodding cover of Kelly’s Clarkson’s “My Life Would Suck Without You.” Ushkowitz also takes the lead for a cover of Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors,” offering a solid performance that is sure to surprise many, given that her character, Tina, is a shy stutterer.
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Article comments
1 - rachelintheOC
Thanks for the review. My daughter and I are huge fans and love the variety of songs. Personally I love the fact that they bring in Broadway songs here and there--it gives a new generation a great chance to be exposed to a new medium. I love anything that Morrison sings--he's tops in my book (though I get what you are saying)...he's just such a strong talent.
A performing arts marketing friend of mine had the opportunity to meet both Michele and Ushkowitz recently (in the last six months) and he said they've been competing for roles since they were eight years old; both were in "Spring Awakening;" funny they ended up on the same show! (P.S. Tina only pretended to stutter--remember, she faked it because she was painfully shy :)
Great review!
2 - Doc Rock
The reviewer is both clueless about Morrison's Police/Puckett mash up, and insanely wrong about Lea Michele's stunning rendition of Don't Rain On My Parade.
3 - J
OMG - Don't Rain on My parade - was stellar and Lea Michele was fantastic. Listen to the words and get to know Rachel it was a great song choice. Lea killed it and I say she did it justice. Please rethink that comment. Really her vocals and performance were just that good.
Jenna and Lea have been friend since they were 8 even if they have gone up against each other for part.
4 - Bob
I bet Barbara Streisand sings the praises
of Lea in her rendition of "Don't Rain On My Parade." I had a police car following me since I nearly broke the speed limit while listening to her powerhouse interpretation.