Rock Out Loud: A CAMP ROCK Soundtrack Review!

[dlfreak]

Between the lull of the immensely popular High School Musical 2 and the expected pandemonium of the theatrical release for HSM3, Disney is filling in the time with a new project: Camp Rock.

Utilizing the ulta-popular Radio Disney alums, the Jonas Brothers, we get a film about Mitchie (relative new-comer Demi Lovato) who gets the prestigious chance to go to Camp Rock to perfect her musical abilities. In the process, she meets Shane (Joe Jonas) who encourages her to be herself and step into the spotlight. Needless to say, Walt Disney Records is well-involved in this musical new movie and has a new soundtrack with songs from the film.

With a heavy dose of the sound of High School Musical 2—which has a more rock-vibe to it than the original—the song “We Rock” is the general anthem for the entire album for Camp Rock. The tune is infectious and it’s going to have you tapping your feet. It’s a bubble gum rock song to be certain, but it actually has a pretty good sound to it, for a Disney number, at least. It totally sounds like a song that would not only work on Disney Channel but maybe on more main stream stations too.

Ok, maybe not quite that far but, to be honest, parts of the song reminded me a lot of some of the earlier songs by Kelly Clarkson as she moved away from the Idol-ballad sound of her first album to transition into a more pop-rock style in her second album. Think Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” (notice the “U” which automatically makes it more hip) and overlay that with a generous helping of Hannah Montana and you get this pretty listenable tune.

As is the trend with Disney’s reach-out-to-catch-everybody methodologies, Camp Rock covers the bases by including some tunes that aren’t quite so “rock” such as “Hasta La Vista.” The song has an “urban” beat and a rap track set to lyrics about the end of camp. Careful lyrics almost make this song double as a song about breaking up with somebody but careful inspection reveals the “real” message about leaving camp.

As usual, any sort of rap done by Disney comes off hokey and mostly unlistenable from all aspects. To its credit, it does have the catchy “hasta la vista” hook to it but as far as being a Disney Rap, it just comes off awkward.

The rest of the album continues with a general theme of self-discovery and self-growth with songs like “This is Me” and “Who Will I Be” sung by Lovato. The songs show little unique flare and seem as if they’d fit just as well in a Hannah Montana or High School Music soundtrack. Depending on who you are this could be a good thing or a bad thing.

The stars of the project, the Jonas Brothers, definitely do add to the overall soundtrack with a maturing sound that seems destined to take them to more main-stream venues although that is definitely yet to be seen. While we’ve seen attempts on outlets like American Idol, I’m not sure they’re ready.

Songs like “Play My Music” and “Gotta Find You” have that whiney groany sound to them which personally drive me bananas (just sang your soul!) but it is a sound that seems increasingly popular in more mainstream bands like Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance.

Certainly, they don’t sound JUST like these bands (calm down FOB fans), but they are Disney versions of those sounds, watered down and made safe for the PG group and the parental unit. Rounding out all of those demographic bases, it seems.

A little something for everyone is the key with most anything Disney releases and with something as big and bankable as the Jonas Brothers, you can expect that there’s going to be a little bit of everything to satisfy a broad-range of tastes. Of course, this means broader appeal and a safer sound that doesn’t really break any norms.

Time will tell if Camp Rock will prove to be the next big thing for Disney (there’s definitely sequelability built into this plug and play movie) but in the meanwhile, decide for yourself by checking out the CD available now or catching the movie on Disney Channel! You can get a taste at disneychannel.com/camprock.

CAMP ROCK Soundtrack available now from Disney Records!

[dlfreak]

If you have access to just about any teen/tween/child portal on the net you've probably seen the relentless ad campaigns Disney is running for this, the 4-day premiere began yesterday with its debut on Disney channel and continues:

- Saturday at 8/7c on ABC’s Wonderful World of Disney
- Sunday at 8/7c on ABC Family
- Monday at 8/7c on Disney.com

It really has the makings of being the new High School Musical hit for this year. We're going to catch it tomorrow and pray we don't puke, anybody else brave enough to catch it yet?

[Nftysqrt]

being a fan of music camp I'm looking forward to watching this. I was pretty impressed with the soundtrack. I like the mix of rock and the somewhat cheesy Disney pop. I think most jonas brothers fans will love this and hopefully a new batch of talented Disney channel stars will be born.

[nemofinder22]

You know I thought the movie was going to be pretty dumb I mean the name and all the "Disney cheesyness" but I was actaully surprised it was pretty good but then I also liked HSM 1 and 2, along with the Cheetah Girls 2. lol

Great review, and a great set of music.

[dlfreak]

Yea that's the key, you know if you're going go enjoy this already if you like the HSM series. It's very similar in many regards.

[Pixelteddy]

I suprisingly didn't like it too much.
It felt like something was missing.
But it's not bad and will be a hit with kids no matter what.

I just think if HSM's crew worked on it, it would be even better.
Kenny Ortega is a genius, it's too bad he couldn't work on this.

I don't belive that the Jonas Brothers was "Disney versions of those sounds"
They have always sung that way even before they moved to Hollywood Records.

[dlfreak]

What I mean is that they don't sound like FOB, PATD, MCR... they sound like Disney versions of those bands.

[Pixelteddy]

Oooh, I get what you mean now hahah

hmmm, I don't really hear that but okay

[dlfreak]

Just wondering, are you a fan of that type of music? I'm sure people who are wouldn't agree with me, I am generalizing quite a bit as I don't care for either sound, the FOB whiny groaning or a Disneyfied version of it, hehe.

[smitty-78]

Didn't get a chance to watch it yet but the kiddos said they liked it.