Glee: The Music Presents The Warblers [Soundtrack]

Ahhh, a Gleek and his money are easily parted.

This is (looking at my iTunes library) the 10th Glee album I now own, and I have to say I was really looking forward to this one.

It seems daft giving a back story of this album as I can't imagine many people finding this review and not knowing, however...

"In season 2 of Glee, the openly gay character Kurt escapes his bullying hell at McKinley High and joins Dalton Academy, an all male private school, and their own glee club - The Warblers. For most of season 2, as The Warblers are also fighting for a place at regionals (and because Kurt is a wonderful character), the McKinley High Glee club story is interspersed with how The Warblers are doing: Cue all male singing and dancing"

And why not? We have had Madonna, Rocky Horror and Christmas themed albums / EP's so why not feature some songs from the main competitors who we see each week practicing a new number?
Well... because it isn't our Glee Club, this is like fraternising with the enemy, I hate to go "all Rachel" here but this feels wrong (ok maybe not wrong, but a little naughty)

I think this album might actually divide Gleeks because it is a bit different. For one thing being an all male group this really does change the dynamic of the sound. It has a slight barbershop feel to it at times, which I think is quite fun but might split other Gleeks

The other thing here is almost every song has Darren Criss (Blaine in the show) as lead. Most of us will know him from the other albums (Cold Outside from Christmas and Don't You Want Me? from Glee 5) He has an incredible voice and is wonderful to listen to but being the lead on almost every track has the potential to become slightly repetitive. Kurt (Chris Colfer) gets sadly very little airplay on this and it was a shame there was no "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" but we always miss a favourite from every Glee album don't we?

So, what about the good points? Well the first one is we can finally listen to the songs without it starting with Blaine making a dramatic entrance through a set of double doors - don't get me wrong, the boy knows how to make an entrance but another example of repetitiveness

Seriously the songs are good, barbershop-esque at times but not necessarily a bad thing

Teenage Dream (Katy Perry) Very upbeat and really introduces us to the harmonies that The Warblers can do

Hey Soul Sister (Train) The backing singers calm down a bit and let Darren sing this which shows off his voice much better - I say calm down, but trust me they are still there

Bills, Bills, Bills (Destiny's Child) Rich White boys from the wrong side of, um, Gap? Personally this doesn't work with a male lead for me but of course it is still an excellent song

Silly Love Songs (Wings {or dare I say it Moulin Rouge}) Apart from a slightly annoying casio keyboard drum beat going on, this is a very good song, well suited to all the lads singing

When I Get You Alone (Robin Thicke) Oh I was looking forward to this one so much. An excellent visual feast and a superb song. Finally the backing boys do more than hold a beat and harmonise. While Darren sings great lead, actually this song more than any other is pure Warblers. Wonderful

Animal (Neon Trees) Oh Kurt how we have missed thee. Finally Criss and Colfer get a song together - is this their best song? No, is it a great song regardless? Oh yes

Misery (Maroon 5) And we have gone back to Blaine and the Pips. Criss on lead, backing boys doing what they do best. It is good, but not the best personally

Blackbird (The Beatles) Colfer takes lead and Criss and the Warblers take a backseat (much to do with the plot device than just this song). It's been a while since we have heard Chris sing so much in lead and this is just a wonderful rendition of a beautiful song.

Candles (Hey Monday) sung very much as a duet between Kurt and Blaine who are exploring their own feelings for each other. This is a very nice song, the only thing which spoils it from being a great song are the bloomin Warblers doo dee dooing in the background. Why not let the two guys have this one song and just stand at the back and look pretty? Oh well, still enjoyable

Raise Your Glass (Pink) Excellent! Fast, upbeat, Warblers and Criss working in harmony together. This needs to be played loud and is almost impossible to stay still to

Somewhere Only We Know (Keane) For you older Gleeks, this has an air of the Flying Pickets to it. Yes there is accompaniment but finally the Warblers in the background really suit the song. They actually add something to it which they don't always on every other track

What Kind Of Fool (Barbra Streisand) A nice slow track as a penultimate treat. Romantic and nice harmonies going on. A bit of a tear jerker if i'm honest

Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? (Rod Stewart) Very disco and amazingly Rod like in the vocals. Fun if not a personal favourite

So there you have it. A wonderful album which really sets of Darren Criss (and Chris Colfer to a much less degree). The harmonies may start to grate and not every song is an absolute winner, but still an excellent album, because when they get it right, they REALLY get it right
Different and similar to previous Glee albums in equal measure, but you know you want it...

Altogether now "So raise your glass...."

OMG it is an amazing album. I think you have to watch the series to see it as this as my parents and people who haven't seen it don't agree but if you LOVE the Warblers/Blaine/Kurt then this is great. Has been my revision CD!!! LOVE IT!!!

I love Glee and have several of the other albums. Was undecided as to whether I was interested in this one but eventually decided to give it a go ... great move! I love this album! Very upbeat songs mixed with more emotional ones that you just have to sit still and listen too. Mostly Blaine, but some Kurt too. I have enjoyed some of the Warblers tracks when watching Glee, but somehow they seem even better on the cd, just to listen too without the distraction of the blazered boys bopping in front of you!