Four Disney CDs

Click to Buy	Feature Summary
	Target Audience	Family	Category	Soundtrack
	Liner Notes	Production Info	CD-ROM Features	Yes, Windows
	Value (Out of a maximum of five)

Songs/Tracks

1. Christina Milian – Call Me, Beep Me! (The Kim Possible Song)
   (2:37)


2. LMNT – It’s Just You (2:36)


3. Angela Michael – I’m Ready (2:51)


4. Aaron Carter – Get Up On Ya Feet (3:18)


5. Jump5 – Celebration (3:16)


6. Kim Possible (Christy Carlson Romano) – Say The Word (2:49)


7. Nikki Cleary – Summertime Guys (3:05)


8. A*Teens – This Year (2:51)


9. Brassy – Work It Out (2:49)


10. Cooler Kids – E Is For Everybody (5:44)


11. Smash Mouth – Come On Come On (2:31)


12. Ron Stoppable And Rufus – The Naked Mole Rap (3:27)


13. Christina Milian – Call Me, Beep Me! (Tony Phillips Remix) (4:40)
    

The CD

Since I haven’t seen the Disney Channel series on which the Kim Possible
soundtrack is based, I am at somewhat of a disadvantage in this review.
That said, I enjoyed most of the songs on this CD and am likely to try
to find an episode of the series to watch.

The first track is an extended version of the series’ theme song, “Call
Me, Beep Me! (The Kim Possible Song)” sung by Christina Milian, who
among other TV and movie roles was one of the Disney Channel’s Movie
Surfers and had a small role in Disney/Pixar’s A Bug’s Life.
She’s better known as a singer, though, and certainly shines on this song.

Track 5 is a cover of Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration” by
Jump 5. Although this song has been covered by numerous artists, this
updated high-energy version is a lot of fun.

“Say the Word” is performed by Christy Carlson Romano, the
actress who voices Kim Possible in the series. Romano was another of the
Disney Channel’s Movie Surfers, and was also featured on the interminable
Even Stevens. The song, as with “I’m Ready” (track 3),
tells us that Kim is ready and willing to be called on to save the world:

“Dial the number, call my name

Day or night, it’s all I need

Say the word

‘Cuz I’m all about savin’ your world

All you have to do is say the word.”

“Summertime Guys” by Nikki Cleary is a bright and cheery pop
song that brings to mind the Go-Go’s “Vacation” or Katrina &
the Waves’ “Walkin’ on Sunshine.” It’s not clear to me from
the lyrics how it relates to Kim Possible, but that’s nothing new for
TV soundtrack CDs, and the song itself is a welcome addition.

Track 11, Smash Mouth’s “Come On Come On,” has the distinction
of being the only song on this CD I’d heard before I started this review;
it’s originally from their Astro Lounge and East Bay Sessions
releases. Following that is “The Naked Mole Rap” performed by
Ron Stoppable and Rufus, two characters from the Kim Possible series.
I’m sure I would have enjoyed it more if I’d seen the series and could
understand the references, but it’s worth noting that the character Rufus
is performed by Nancy Cartwright, better known as the voice of Bart Simpson.

The disc wraps up with a dance remix by Tony Phillips of the title song.
The faster tempo and addition of drop-ins from the TV series help to make
this version unique.

Overall, I enjoyed this disc. I’m sure I would have “gotten it”
more if I had watched the TV series, but even without that background
the CD is a collection of energetic pop tunes that inspired me to look
for an airing of the series.

I would strongly recommend this soundtrack to fans of the series. To
those who haven’t, you may want to catch an episode or two before shelling
out for the disc, but I think you might like it anyway.

Click to Buy	Feature Summary
	Target Audience	Teens	Category	Soundtrack
	Liner Notes	Production Info	CD-ROM Features	Yes
	Value (Out of a maximum of five)

Songs/Tracks

1. The Cheetah Girls – Cheetah Sisters (3:06)


2. The Cheetah Girls – Cinderella (3:19)


3. The Cheetah Girls – Girl Power (2:47)


4. The Cheetah Girls – Together We Can (1:34)


5. Sonic Chaos – C’mon (1:24)


6. Char – Girlfriend (3:29)


7. Hope 7 – Breakthrough (2:43)


8. Christi Mac – End of the Line (1:40)

The CD

As with Kim Possible soundtrack, The Cheetah Girls soundtrack
serves as a companion to a Disney Channel program that I have not seen.
Unlike Kim Possible, however, the CD did absolutely nothing for
me and has not raised any interest in seeing the Disney Channel original
movie with which it is associated.

The CD begins with four songs by the Cheetah Girls, a group composed
of Raven (formerly Raven-Symone of The Cosby Show and That’s
So Raven), Kiely Williams, Adrienne Bailon, and Sabrina Bryan. Track
1, “Cheetah Sisters,” seems to be the introduction to the characters
and was presumably used as the opening credits rolled. That’s exactly
what it sounds like—the opening credits song from a typical bad sitcom.

Following “Cheetah Sisters” are three more by the cast, continuing
to provide exposition to the story of these four girls. I did not care
for these songs, which were sung in a soul/hip-hop style.

The one song in this disc that I did like is “Breakthrough”
by Hope 7, which is similar in sound and feeling to the type of tunes
Hillary Duff sings.

I realize that I am by no means the audience to which this CD is aimed,
but I still cannot recommend it. If you—or more likely, your daughter
aged 10 to 15—enjoyed the TV-movie, then by all means pick up the
companion CD. Otherwise, I would give it a miss and perhaps look for Hope
7’s contribution on another compilation CD.

Click to Buy	Feature Summary
	Target Audience	General, Teens	Category	Music, Compilation
	Liner Notes	Production Info	CD-ROM Features	Yes
	Value (Out of a maximum of five)

Songs/Tracks

1. Hillary Duff – I Can’t Wait (3:11)


2. D Tent Boys – Dig It (3:45)


3. Rase Falcon – Up Up Up (2:51)


4. LMNT – You’re the One (3:43)


5. Atomic Kitten – The Tide Is High (3:20)


6. Hampton and the Hamsters – Sing a Simple Song (4:46)


7. Jump5 – All I Can Do (3:12)


8. Raven – That’s So Raven (0:49)


9. Play – Us Against the World (3:40)


10. S Club 7 – Don’t Stop Movin (3:50)


11. Lil Romeo – My Baby (3:41)


12. Triple Image – Last One Standing (3:27)


13. The Beu Sisters – You Make Me Feel Like a Star (3:03)


14. Stevie Brock – All For Love (3:30)


15. A*Teens – Floorfiller (3:14)

The CD

Radio Disney Jams, Volume 6 is a compilation disc containing current
hits played on Radio Disney. As you can guess from the title, it is the
sixth in a series. Since this CD is just a “hits” collection
of songs from different artists and groups, there isn’t any unifying theme
here. That said, the CD includes a good number of songs (16) and seems
to be a decent value for the money.

Track 1, “I Can’t Wait” by Hillary Duff, is not on her solo
CD Metamorphosis. If you like Hillary Duff, you will probably
also enjoy this song, as I did.

The second song, “Dig It” by D Tent Boys, must have come from
the soundtrack to this summer’s film Holes. It actually reminds
me quite a bit of a song from Moby, but I can’t remember the name of the
song. This listenable song does stray a bit into the hip-hop/rap genre.

“Up, Up, Up” from Rose Falcon is a bright and cheery tune that
brings to mind any number of Debbie Gibson-era songs. I liked it.

Atomic Kitten’s cover of Blondie’s “The Tide Is High” was rather
disappointing. The lead singer’s voice fares poorly in comparison to Debbie
Harry’s. Still, the group obviously had a good time recording the song,
and it shows.

Track 7 is “All I Can Do” by Jump 5, who did the cover of “Celebration”
on the Kim Possible soundtrack. Their talent is more clearly evidenced
in this funky dance tune, which sounds like it might be from another Disney
Channel show (but may not be).

Speaking of Disney Channel shows, the next song is the theme from That’s
So Raven, performed by Raven, Anneliese van der Pol, and Orlando Brown.
At 49 seconds, this is a particularly short track because it is the actual
theme from the show, not an expanded version as are usually included on
soundtrack CDs.

Other not-really-notable tracks are “Don’t Stop Movin’” by
S Club 7, which sounds like it didn’t quite make the cut on a Lionel Richie
tribute CD; Triple Image’s “Last One Standing,” an interesting
combination of disco and kid-rap; and the final track, “Floorfiller”
by A*Teens. This song begins, “Hey, Mister D.J.,” and that is
far from the only similarity to Madonna’s “Music.”

I was not terribly impressed by this selection of Radio Disney singles.
If you or your ‘tween-aged child enjoys Radio Disney, this CD will keep
you happy when you’re out of broadcast range.

Click to Buy	Feature Summary
	Target Audience	Children	Category	Compilation
	Liner Notes	Production Info	CD-ROM Features	Yes
	Value (Out of a maximum of five)

Songs/Tracks

1. Sk8er Boi (3:20)


2. Jenny From the Block (2:36)


3. Cry Me a River (3:41)


4. Get the Party Started (2:42)


5. A Thousand Miles (3:57)


6. Miss Independent (3:33)


7. Why Not (3:01)


8. Complicated (3:50)


9. America AO (3:11)


10. Up, Up, Up (2:50)


11. Juliet (3:41)


12. Basketball (3:10)


13. Can’t Wait (3:10)


14. A Moment Like This (3:47)


15. All I Can Do (3:09)


16. Call Me Beep Me! (The Kim Possible Song) (2:36)


17. All Star (3:19)


18. It Happens Every Time (3:17)

The CD

The Superstar Kidz are a group of young singers who have put together
an CD covering current popular songs heard on Radio Disney. Adult singers
perform familiar selections such as “Sk8er Boi” originally sung
by Avril Lavigne, “Get the Party Started” (Pink), “Why
Not” (Hillary Duff), and “All Star” (Smash Mouth) with
the kids coming in on the chorus and backgrounds.

While I appreciate the effort put forth by these singers, the results
are pretty awful. Since the lead singers are actually pretty talented,
the best of the lot are the ones where the kids remain in the background.
Track 8, Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated,” is a good example of
this. Renee Sandstrom’s lead vocals are lovely and melodic. Unfortunately,
the kids then come in for the chorus, basically ruining the song.

“America AO” is less bad, as the song seems to be well suited
for the chanting style of the singing group. The next song, “Up Up
Up,” originally done by Rose Falcon, is another that benefits from
this treatment. Since I’d just listened to the original on Radio Disney
Jams Volume 6, I had a good basis for comparison. The Kidz’ version doesn’t
quite measure up to the original, but it’s definitely one of the few highlights
of this disc.

Track 15 is a cover of Jump 5’s “All I Can Do,” another song
I’d enjoyed on the Jams CD. Julie Griffin does a good job with the
lead vocal, but the rather listless chorus pretty much kills it.

Next up is “Call Me, Beep Me (The Kim Possible Song)” from
the Disney Channel series (and soundtrack). Renee Sandstrom, who I mentioned
earlier, is definitely the high point of the CD and should be one to
watch in the future, provided she can get free of the Superstar Kidz (or
their marketing department).

Probably the worst song on the disc is a cover of Smash Mouth’s “All
Star.” The original is very well known and widely played, so if you’re
going to cover it you had better make your version interesting. Sadly,
lead singer Randy Crenshaw seems to be trying his hardest to emulate Smash
Mouth’s Steve Harwell, without much success.

Of all the Radio Disney CDs in this review, Superstar Kidz is the most
disappointing. I find it hard to believe that regular Radio Disney listeners
would appreciate their favorite songs being re-recorded by a group of
mediocre (at best) child singers. The fact that Disney has listed the
CD as a full-price regular release only adds insult to injury.

If you want a compilation CD full of Radio Disney goodness, I suggest
the previously reviewed Jams volume 6. If you want to listen to talented
children singing, how about Free To Be, You And Me with Marlo Thomas?