Glee: Volume 2

"I'm very young, and it's hard for you to stand close to me."

Ah, you thought I wasn't going to do it. How little you know me. Yes, these soundtracks deserve their own posts, deal with it. Just like the first volume, the second volume has many great tracks. Classic Rock songs like "You Can't Always Get What You Want," and "Jump." Modern songs like "Smile" by Lily Allen and "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson. Seriously, I can't wait for this show to come back on the air. Speaking of, new episodes start airing after the Winter Olympics on April 13th!!!

BEST MASH-UP: Don't Stand So Close (Young Girl) Mr. Schue to Rachel

As the quote at the top suggests, Rachel has developed a school girl crush on her Glee Club advisor. Emma (the schools guidance counselor, who coincidentally has a crush on Will herself) suggests that he let Rachel down easily by singing her a song that accurately depcits how he feels about his much younger student. For all of you that aren't familiar with the idea of a mash up, that is basically when you take two songs and "mash" them together. Taking parts of each and creating a whole new song. There are several mash ups on this show, but this is by far the best. And the response from Rachel and Emma is priceless. Love Mr. Schue!

BEST USE OF MUSIC IN AN AWKWARD SITUATION: You're Havin' My Baby

Ok, so this will probably be the only song that will ever fit this category, but man, does it fit perfectly! Picture this, the High School "It Couple," the quarterback and the cheerleader, are having a baby. Its time to tell the parents, but the cheerleader doesn't want to do it - my man Finn steps up the plate. With the encouragement of his fabulous friend Kurt, Finn decides to break the news to Quinn's parents through song, and at the same time tell the new mommy-to-be that he's honored to be the father. A sweet thought, but supremely awkward. This is like watching a train wreck in progress, you want to reach through that tv screen and stop him, but you can't help but watch (from behind your hands that is). Oh Finn, you're so hopeless.

Coming Soon... Volume 3

Soundtrack Listing:

1. Proud Mary

2. Endless Love

3. I'll Stand By You

4. Don't Stand So Close (Young Girl)

5. Crush

6. (You're) Having My Baby

7. Lean On Me

8. Don't Make Me Over

9. Imagine

10. True Colors

11. Jump

12. Smile (by Lily Allen)

13. Smile (Charlie Chaplin)

14. And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going

15. Don't Rain On My Parade

16. You Can't Always Get What You Want

17. My Life Would Suck Without You

Glee: Volume 1

"That Rachel chick makes me want to light myself on fire, but she can sing."

One of the best shows on television, Glee has brought us not just one great soundtrack but two amazing albums! In the past two weeks Glee has brought home two prestigious awards: Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy, and the SAG award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble - Comedy. They've won several other awards and have been nominated for individual acting honors. Top honors have gone to the shows to biggest stars, Lea Michele (Rachel) and Matthew Morrison (Will aka Mr. Schuester).

It doesn't really need to be said, but I'm in love with this series. This show has a little bit of everything, socially conscious issues (gay rights and teen pregnancy to name a few), high school drama (including slushies to the face), and of course singing. But its not like your mother's musical, people don't just randomly burst into song. "The New Directions" glee club is working to compete against other show choirs around the state. So why not choose songs that pertain the life stories of the kids? These Glee-clubbers aren't historically the most popular kids in school, but the club is turned around with the amazing vocals of Rachel (Michele) and her leading man, the schools quarterback Finn (Cory Monteith). Plus, the dreamy Mr. Schuester (Morrison) makes all the girls swoon. Seriously, what's not to love?

BEST SOUNDTRACK SIGNATURE SOUND: Don't Stop Believing - Cast of Glee

The song that started it all. How could the signature song be anything else? This great version of Journey's classic song, "Don't Stop Believing," features Lea and Cory, with back up vocals by the rest of the Glee Club. At the end of the pilot episode, the club leaves us wanting more by debuting their new sound. Glee club isn't so nerdy anymore. What makes this so great is the combination of instrumentals, strong lead vocals, and a superb background "boppers." Ok so I know that probably isn't the technical term, but think of Do-wop groups that make the instrumentals with their voices. There is quite a bit of that in this song and it really compliments the arrangement.

BEST GUEST STAR PERFORMANCE: Maybe This Time (featuring Kristin Chenoweth)

So, this might not be everyone's favorite song (but honestly there are so many to choose from, I have to be selective). This is a song from the Broadway Musical Cabaret, perfect for the smallest guest star with the biggest voice - EVER! Kristin plays a high school drop out that went to school with Mr. Schue back in the day. After losing the Glee Clubs star, Rachel, to the schools musical Will is desperate to find a replacement that can fill her solo's. He remembers Kristin, aka April Rhodes, and asks her to enroll for her final year of high school. After being deemed too old by the rest of the club, April steps up and belts out this Broadway number. This is also a bit of a duel between Rachel, as she is auditioning for the musical, and April, auditioning for the Glee Club. Two great voices, one great song.

Stay tuned... Volume 2, coming soon!

Soundtrack Listing:

1. Don't Stop Believing

2. Can't Fight This Feeling

3. Gold Digger

4. Take a Bow

5. Bust Your Window

6. Taking Chances

7. Alone

8. Maybe This Time

9. Somebody To Love

10. Hate On Me

11. No Air

12. You Keep Me Hanging On

13. Keep Holding On

14. Bust A Move

15. Sweet Caroline

16. Dancing With Myself

17. Defying Gravity

18. I Say A Little Prayer