Elton John - The Muse: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

It would be easy to dismiss Elton John's soundtrack skills: among his early '70s score for Friends, a sprinkling of movie songs, and his contributions to The Lion King, he hasn't had much of a big-screen presence. But his score for Albert Brooks's The Muse is a nice surprise from the artist; here, he seems more indebted to Hans Zimmer than pop radio. Filled with peppy orchestrations and delicate string arrangements, his soundtrack sounds both romantic and playful. Piano occasionally pops up, and one track ("Meet Christine") even benefits from a very angelic chorus. The one disappointment here is the title track, which features John working with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin. Ironically enough, the bland vocals are all about artistic creativity. But thankfully, a throbbing bass version of the same tune--courtesy of Jermaine Dupri's remix--lets the soundtrack end on a lively note. Weighing in at only about 35 minutes, John's soundtrack for The Muse is far from epic, but it offers a rare chance to hear yet another facet to the pop superstar's talents. --Jason Verlinde Amazon.com

Mellow Instrumentals from Pop Master Elton John

Though I rate this album as 3 stars, the album is a worthy addition to the collection of fans of Elton John or the fans of movie soundtracks. Elton provides a series of very serviceable tracks that provide good background music for a variety of purposes. The only reason I rate the album 3 stars is because this music is rather uninspired on average in comparison to Elton's past music. I may also be influenced by the brevity of this CD, which is all of 36 minutes and 9 seconds.

I admit that I could listen to music like this all day long and be rather satisfied, but this music falls well short of the sophistication and execution of music such as "Funeral for a Friend" from "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Carla/Etude/Fanfare" from "The Fox." The one song on this CD, "The Muse," is provided in two mixes. I personally prefer the first mix over the second (as opposed to some reviewers who preferred the opposite), but both are quite nice and are above average when compared to the songs that Elton has released in recent years. Note that the second version adds more instrumental power and a stronger beat, which is likely why I prefer it less and others prefer it more.

Though the CD is very short, there are 20 total tracks on the CD. Thus, many of these tracks are very short. There are 13 tracks that clock in at 2 minutes or less. On the positive side, the tracks are so short that they often leave you wanting more. I could easily see how some of these tracks could have been expanded to three or four times their length on this CD.

All of the tracks on this CD provide a soothing listening experience, but there are several that stand out. I particularly enjoyed "Better Have a Gift," which has a middle portion and an end portion that are delicate and pretty. "Are We Laughing" sounds more akin to Tchaikovsky than Elton John, but similarities aside, this track is also pretty and too short. "Take a Walk with Me" is another delicate, almost ethereal track that could have taken much longer to finish. Another track I enjoy a lot is "Sarah Escapes," which, once again, is just too short. "Meet Christine" is an interesting track because it adds a soaring chorus that fires up the end of the instrumentals.

I have most of Elton John's music, which is part of the reason I purchased this CD. I had never heard this music before. However, I am glad I purchased this CD. The instrumentals are pleasant and worth multiple listens, particularly if you like instrumentals. While this CD falls short of Elton's greatest music, it is enjoyable and worth having in your collection.

Enjoy!
December 13, 2006

Fans can never be objective...

From the OBJECTIVE reviewer...one anyone call this great if it were written by someone unknown? I doubt it. It's totally forgettable instrumentals. An instrumental Elton album is a good idea if the instrumentals make the idea good. May 5, 2006

Just Beautiful!

The soundtrack may only be 35 minutes long, but it takes the listener on a fulfilling journey, through pain, laughter, disappointment and exhilaration. Elton's melodies are strong, as always. Among the instrumental pieces, "Multiple Personality" is the special stand-out, sporting an infectiousness not unlike "Bennie and the Jets." The title track is an inspiring, upbeat ballad that shows off Elton's increasingly soulful voice. The album is one of Elton's best-kept secrets and deserves to be discovered by as many people as possible! January 12, 2000

More reviews at Amazon.com ...