Music Review: Home on the Range Soundtrack
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that overall this soundtrack makes for
good family listening. Big-name artists, such as k.d. lang,
Bonnie Raitt, and Tim McGraw, make this soundtrack worth
listening to. The only song to watch out for is "(You Ain't)
Home on the Range," which glorifies strength and violence ("a
land where they shoot the mild and the meek"). However, the
rest of the songs emphasize beauty, friendship, and survival.
Families can talk about the big-name artists that they
recognize and if it makes a difference that performers are
well-known. Plus how do the songs set the tone in the film (for
those who have seen it)?
Disney does it again, offering the lovely HOME ON THE RANGE SOUNDTRACK, complete with big-name artists. There's lots here for everyone in the family to enjoy. For example, k.d. lang's "Pretty as Pie" is a bouncy tune with expert vocals and arrangements that will appeal to adult listeners. Bonnie Raitt's rendition of "Will the Sun Ever Shine Again" provides soul and tenderness, while Tim McGraw's ballad "Wherever the Trail May Lead" paints a picture of vast, lonesome Western horizon. The Beu Sister's "Anytime You Need a Friend" lights up the soundtrack with beats and preteen harmonies, which will appeal to young listeners.
The score succeeds in capturing a big Western sound, though the repetition of melodies makes more sense for a film than a CD. For example, Alan Menken's version of the "Anytime You Need a Friend" sounds earnest enough, but begs the question: Why repeat the same song that was covered earlier? But overall, the production is pure Disney -- grand, well-produced with lots of strings -- resulting in pleasant, enjoyable listening.
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