There are those moments in life when you are certain that you are way too old for the Muppets. The great thing is, regardless of the passage of time and changes in style and taste, The Muppets have decided that they will never be too old for you. Somewhere along the way, the little kids that were enthralled by The Muppets in the late '70's and 80's became the parents of today. Which is what The Muppets Green Album is all about.
The Green album is an all new collection of classic Muppets tunes remade by modern artist like Weezer, Ok Go, and The Fray. While this album will totally be loved by children everywhere, make no mistake... This album is totally aimed at their parents. With the release of an all new Muppet movie only months away Disney wants to press that nostalgia button on Gen X parents as much as possible.
Sure they want an entire new generation of kids to experience and love The Muppets. However, Disney is keen to get as many butts in theaters as possible, and an album like The Green Album is a chance for Disney to take those parents on a nostalgic trip in their head that will get them energized for a new cinematic Muppet experience.
There isn't a bad song on the album. That is of course to be expected. Most of these songs are instantly recognizable even to a Muppet noob. But it's the Muppet faithful that will be totally in love with the Alt-rock feel of The Green Album. However, there are some real stand out tracks that are worth shouting about. Ok Go creates a version of the Muppet Theme that can easily be described as 'Industrial but REALLY fun.' and Alkaline Trio energize the classic "Moving Right Along" with punk-pop craziness that doesn't seem foreign or weird at all.
However if were pointing out the best song on the album, it easily goes to My Morning Jackets version of "Our World." In their hands, this climactic tune from Emmet Otters Jug Band Christmas completely steps out of it's Muppet confines and takes on the persona of a country-fried,alt-rock operetta you might expect from The Flaming Lips, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes. A really refreshing take on this simple prayer of peace.
The entire album rocks. The best part though, is how the spirit of these cherished songs from the Muppets TV shows and films are completely intact. The Green Album is a great album for kids and the kid inside you. While we may have first enjoyed these songs as kids, they have come to help us define who we are in adulthood. In that sense, this is a collection that proves that The Muppets are more than just kid stuff. It's also a great kick off to this falls Muppet madness leading up to the film. The album will be in stores and online beginning next Tuesday, August 23rd but you can hear it now! Check out the playlist below.
01. OK Go – Muppet Show Theme
02. Weezer & Hayley Williams – Rainbow Connection
03. The Fray – Mahna Mahna
04. Alkaline Trio – Moving Right Along
05. My Morning Jacket – Our World
06. Amy Lee – Halfway Down the Stairs
07. Sondre Lerche – Mr. Bassman
08. The Airborne Toxic Event – Wishing Song
09. Brandon Saller (Atreyu) and Billy Martin (Good Charlotte) – Night Life
10. Andrew Bird – Bein’ Green
11. Matt Nathanson – I Hope That Something Better Comes Along
12. Rachael Yamagata – I’m Going to Go Back There Someday
-Admiral Duke
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