Disney Playlist
Review by Amanda

It looks like Disney is now attempting to cash in on the teens who usually buy one or two songs from their franchise soundtracks and create their own play lists. Instead of releasing soundtracks for many of their Disney Channel original movies this year, or their television series, they have decided to cram some never before released tracks with some previous favorites to create their own mix of music.

Songs that belong on the CD:

“One and The Same” from “Princess Protection Program” features the voices of Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. The song is upbeat, fun, and a great fit for the film, discussing a pair of girls who come from two different worlds. My only problem with it? When the two girls sing together, Demi tends to drown out Selena. Their solo parts are great, but Selena’s voice seems dialed down and Demi’s amped up, so the chorus is a little ill fitting.

“So Far So Great” is a theme song, this time to Demi Lovato’s “Sonny with a Chance.” I am a little surprised that this made it on to the album. From what I understand, this song is set to be included on Demi’s sophomore album. It is a fun song as well, and it belongs here with the other Disney fare much better than on her rock set of “Here We Go Again.”

“Let It Go” is a crazy dance/cheerleading number by Mitchel Musso and Tiffany Thornton. It was featured in the Disney movie “Hatching Pete.” Like I said, this song is just crazy. It was used for the dance sequences in the film and is such high energy that I don’t think anyone will be able to not, at least, tap their foot to the beat, even if Tiffany only gets to chant on the track instead of really sing.

“Hero In Me” sung by Emily Osment was the song featured in the movie “Dadnapped.” Of the songs released by Emily so far, this is not my favorite, but like the other Disney Channel original movie songs on the album, it is not available on any other disc. It is a fun song about finding the hero within yourself, but not the best song on the album.

“The Girl Can’t Help It” is another song that was featured in “Princess Protection Program” and is performed by Mitchel Musso. This is probably the most “main stream” of the previously unreleased songs on here. It is one that I could actually believe would be on a pop radio station. For that reason alone, it’s my favorite of the album. It’s a pop-rock track about a girl who just cannot help the way she is: so amazing that the guy cannot help but adore her.

“Everything is Not What it Seems” is not even a minute long. It is the theme from the series “Wizards of Waverly Place” and is sung by Selena Gomez. It is basically, exactly what you would hear when you watch the show. It would have been better if more was written for Selena to sing. It is just an introduction to a television show, not a particularly exciting song to listen to.

Songs that were not necessary:

“Live to Party” is the theme song to “JONAS” and is, of course, sung by the brothers of the same name. I have to admit, I do not really like this song very much. I think “Keep it Real” would have made a better theme for their show. I am actually really surprised this was added to the CD. Wouldn’t it be better if Disney’s marketing guys created a soundtrack for the television show instead, since every episode has a new original song anyway? Because I have a feeling that is somewhere on the horizon, it makes me think this song is a waste of space.

“Let’s Get Crazy” is just not needed. I don’t know if the people in charge of making the disc felt that because “Hannah Montana” is such a huge draw for the Disney channel that it had to be included, or if they just liked the song that much. If that was the idea though, it should have only been available here. Otherwise, fans who buy both this album as well as the third volume of the soundtrack to the popular series are going to have two copies of the song. If they just wanted a song to represent the series, I think a better one could have been chosen.

“Gitchee Gitchee Goo” comes to us courtesy of Phineas and the Ferbtones from Disney’s animated series “Phineas and Ferb.” Like the song featured by the Jonas Brothers, I really think this should be on its own soundtrack. The animated series actually features a lot of its own music. The numbers are usually a little out there, and this song is no exception. There are probably already at least a dozen songs from the show that could have been placed on their own disc though.

“Start the Party Remix” is simply a remixed (as its name implies) version of the same song from the “Camp Rock” soundtrack. I like the original version better.

The remainder of the songs featured on the disc are already featured on other soundtracks. They include: “This is Me” by Demi Lovato, “Breaking Free” from “High School Musical,” “Fabulous” from “High School Musical Two,” “Run it Back Again” by Corbin Bleu, and “Dance Me If You Can” by The Cheetah Girls. Putting these tracks on the CD when they have already appeared in other places just seems gratuitous to me. It seems like this album is more of a way for the executives at Disney to cash in on the tween market as opposed to making its viewers happy. They could easily have waited for a few more Disney movies to come out, or they could have provided new material for their stars to sing instead of padding the disc with tracks their audience probably already have.

If given the choice, I would recommend buying individual tracks from Itunes or Amazon instead of purchasing the entire CD. Listen to the samples offered, and buy the ones you like, or at least, the ones you do not already have.