A musical that's definitely musical

Movie soundtracks are often a very mixed bag musically, with a bunch of songs that had they not featured in the same film, would have nothing in common. You might get ballads rubbing shoulders with heavy metal standards or old-style easy listening.

Unless you are a real fan of the movie, or there is some otherwise unavailable track on the album that you are desperate to own on CD, soundtracks are usually best avoided.

However, the soundtrack to High School Musical is a definite exception to the rule because, as its name suggests, it comes from a film whose reason for being is the music itself.
The story

High School Musical is an American made-for-television musical film from the Disney Channel that has been a surprise hit. Such a hit, in fact, that production has already started on a sequel, the imaginatively titled High School Musical 2.

The first film, which has only recently been released in some countries, tells the story of a group of students who are trying out for their high school musical.

Among them are basketball team captain Troy Bolton, played by Zac Efron, and the shy Gabriella Montez, portrayed by Vanessa Hudgens.

These two sing many of the songs on the High School Musical soundtrack, along with a few contributions from others such as Sharpay Evans, who plays Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel, whose character is Ryan Evans.

The first song, Start of Something New, ploughs familiar teenage territory of first love and discovering the world as an adult. It gives a good indication of what much of the rest of the album is like – catchy, slightly bland pop. The song also shows the strengths and weaknesses of the main singers – Efron has a nice, expressive voice but Hudgens' singing is too sweet and high-pitched.

We're All In This Together overdoes the theme of ‘let's celebrate our diversity' to the point that you will reach for your sick bag, but as a piece of music it is excellent with a funky bass line, showing a bit of edge that much of the album lacks.

Overall, there are some nice, pleasant tunes on this record but it could have done with an injection of adrenaline and a better female lead voice in place of Hudgens.

An album for peace

Veteran rockers REM have recorded a John Lennon song for an album that will raise money for human rights organisation Amnesty International.

The band, which was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has made a cover of #9 Dream.
The track features REM's original drummer Bill Berry, who joined his old bandmates when they were inducted into the hall of fame.

REM's version of #9 Dream is set for release in June.

Together again … for six months

The Spice Girls look set to reunite for a money-raising six-month world tour. According to reports from their former manager, Simon Fuller, the five-strong group will split up again once the concerts are over. They have perhaps been encouraged to reform by the success of boyband Take That's comeback gigs, which have sold out within hours. The Spice Girls are thought to have sold more than 50 million albums around the world although attempts at solo careers have met with limited success.