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