High School... [Soundtrack, Import]

When I first heard this cd, I was like "W...T...F?" I really hated it (except for a few songs), however, on closer inspection, it actually is a really good cd. Most of the songs sound better than their originals and some that were terrible now sound amazing. (Oh, by the way, the tracklisting here is wrong, so I'll give the real one)

1. What Time Is It (Remix) - Not the best way to open up a remix album, starts off with just a basic beat and no instruments or vocals, but quickly changes into just that. It's an okay remix, not great, but decent. It uses a lot of the original instrumentals. Some of the vocals seem to be a bit off the music, though. Like they're out of place. 7/10

2. I Don't Dance (Remix) - Good, a bit childish, but really good. The beginning comes off with some backstreet boys-type sounding vocals, which really works for this song. It has a jumpy, slightly hip-hoppy feel, which also works. I hope they release singles off this album, because this one could definitely work for radio. 9.6/10

3. I Gotta Go My Own Way (Remix) - A regular beat with an unnatural sound in the beginning, but it quickly sounds normal. It sounds a bit like 80's music, with lots of synthesizers and other things like that. What I love most about this one is that it sounds different but also stays true to the original sound. 9.2/10

4. You Are the Music In Me (Remix) - Kind of sounds like "Gotta Go My Own Way", but different. Has that same 80's feel, with a similar beat, but it's still good. Really good actually. It's quite hard to explain this song... 8.8/10

5. Work This Out (Remix) - Has a very dancey feel, with a bit of a swing-techno beat during the chorus. Stays true to the original sound too, just like "I Gotta Go My Own Way". Is a bit childish at some points, but, well, this is a kid's song, so what should I expect? 9/10

6. Everyday (Remix) - Eh. I never really liked this song. And this remix is a great improvement. But somehow it's still not good enough. The beginning sounds just like the original song with an added backbeat, which isn't really a dance one, more of a pop type. However the beat soon changes into a more club-type one. This song would be a lot better if it had more piano instrumentals and a better arrangement. The most unappealing part about this song is that sometimes it drops the beat completely for long periods of time, which is quite annoying and unprofessional. It does that during the entire second verse. 5.5/10

7. Fabulous (Remix) - Definitely the most commercial-sounding one here, and probably the best choice if there was a single. This remixer managed to convert a drab-sounding song to a slightly fast-paced clubby-hip-hop song. The instrumentals go perfect with the lyrics. This one could definitely make a great radio single. 11/10

8. Bet On It (Remix) - If you've watched the Disney channel, you've probably seen this music video. And it's terrible. But the remix is just fantastic. It sounds very club-friendly with its dark, moody, sound. Definitely brings a new light into this song, or should I say, no light at all, since it sounds so dark. The remix completely changes the personality of the original song, which I thought couldn't be better. I guess I was wrong. 11/10

9. All For One (Remix) - When you think after the last two songs that everything is going to get better, it just falls. Not nearly as much as everyday, but it's still not great. The beat is okay, the instrumentals are okay, everything is just okay. It's a bit drab. 6.5/10

10. You Are The Music In Me (Sharpay Version) (Remix) - When I heard this song, I couldn't believe how good it sounded. The regular version is terrible, but this is just amazing. Sounds extremely club-friendly, and has a happy, almost music-box instrumental at some points. This really works. The vocals aren't that great, but that's nothing the remixer could have fixed. Yet another that could become a single. 11/10

11. Humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Remix) - Okay, this was never a good song. No wonder it was cut from the movie. Still, it sounds better here, with it's new reggae-sounding beat. Extremely childish, however. I commend the remixer for making this song semi-tolerable to listen to and danceable. 6/10

12. The Megamix - Okay, this is cool... but just not professional. It sounds as if it was created by a fan. Some of the beats are off, and in some parts the same beat is the same, over and over and over. The last song in the megamix, "You Are The Music In Me", sounds like it was just thrown in without a care. Here are the songs (in order), in the megamix: You Are The Music In Me (Extremely small portion at the beginning), What Time Is It, Work This Out, Bet On It, All For One, You Are The Music In Me...(that's it) 4/10

BONUS FEATURES:
Video Remix: This is really cool because it has music video clips from different versions of the songs from different parts of the world, in different languages. It's really cool and interesting to listen to and watch. 11/10
Party Invitations: Haven't seen these yet. ??/10
Slideshow: Decent. A normal slideshow featuring promo pictures and clips from the movie. Played with an instrumental of "You Are The Music In Me". 8/10
OTHER:

Pictures: No. No No No No NO! Why? Why does it have the exact same picture that's on the cover of the High School Musical 2 Soundtrack? I was hoping for new pictures, or at the least, a different picture. But this is not new at all. I'm very disappointed that there are no new pictures at all to be found anywhere in this cd. 0/10
Layout: Cool, but the back is misleading. The way it shows the tracklisting, it makes it look like it's in the same order as on this page. I must say, I was confused too. 5/10

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Make sure you listen to: I Don't Dance, I Gotta Go My Own Way, Fabulous, Bet On It
Be sure to skip: Everyday, All For One, Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, The Megamix

I ordered this Dance Mix so our kids can exercise to it. They love it and look forward to moving to the music. It has a great non-stop beat that makes the transitions go smoothly from song to song. Although remixed, the songs for the most part sound the same as from the original soundtrack/movie.

For dancing/exercising this is great, but the original soundtrack would be better for just listening and singing along.

I think it's great that Disney is opening up their options to DJs/remixers. It's really cool to hear different variations of the same song. I think this album is really good, especially the track Bet On It.