'Frozen' Soundtrack is perfect score for those who love the movie
Kristen Bell has a voice that can match up with her film sister Broadway star Idina Menzel. The Frozen soundtrack is filled with the music that will allow the audience to relive the best parts of the film. Let It Go may have been the song to get the most attention, but Do You Want to Build a Snowman? is its equal.
Frozen Heart – is the first song that has English lyrics. It is actually the second song in Frozen. (The first song is the Lion King reminiscent Vuelie.) Listening to the lyrics of Frozen Heart gives a clear view of what is going to happen in the film and what the special conflict is. It’s a catchy work song with strong harmonies. “Ice has a magic can’t be controlled” “Beware the Frozen Heart” Do You Want to Build a Snowman? – There is not another song that is as touching as this one. It starts with a young Anna inviting her sister to play. Her memory of the magic that her sister possesses has been removed as has her sister’s company, but she hasn’t been given a reason for the separation. As the only girl in a huge castle with no one to play with, the song captures the love for her sister, the confusion that she feels, and her boredom. It also sets up the next song on the CD. Bell takes the last chorus, which see sings tenderly about her parents’ deaths and what the two sisters need to do to get through it. Who knew Kristen Bell could sing? For the First Time in Forever – The joy of freedom! With the opening of the castle for the first time since her near death experience, Anna is not only excited for meeting people but possibly meeting her soul mate. Combining the sweet possibilities with the awkward, social ineptitude of Anna gives her part in the song the right amount of comedy and anticipation. Bell’s vocalizations hold up against Idina Menzel’s own performance of dreaded anticipation and agony. She is just going to open the gates so she can get the day over with. There is a tinge of hope, but Menzel plays up the parts about it being only for one day. She is going to get through it. Love Is an Open Door – Bell’s duet with Santino Fontana establishes the saccharine love relationship tha Disney films are known for. There is no doubt that Hans and Anna are meant to be together. After all, they finish each other’s… sandwiches. Bell’s sweet voice takes this song to the front of the line while Fontana harmonizes to good effect. Let It Go – This version performed by Menzel is the one that everyone knows. The uplifting power ballad that applies to anyone who feels like an outcast or a failure in some way, which means that it appeals to everyone. It allows the audience to imagine breaking the constraints of society and living up to all that each can be without having to answer for anything. This is a creative person’s dream song because creative people often do not feel like they can reach their full potential. Work, money, the drudgery of real life and even relationships get in the way of the power of creation. Elsa releases her power to create art, architecture and life, and she doesn’t have any reason to hold back. She can be herself now that people know who she is. Menzel’s version is better than Selena Gomez’s. She has the chops and phrasing to make the song say things that it doesn’t necessarily say in print. “A kingdom of ice-olation, and it looks like I’m the queen.” Reindeer(s) Are Better Than People – a simple comic song, in which Kristoff sings a duet with himself. He voices both his own part and the part for his reindeer. It is fun to quote. In Summer – this is the show stopping tune of Frozen. Literally, the story stops to develop Olaf’s character, and Josh Gad sings with such conviction and sweet innocence that Olaf becomes an enduring character rather than going the way of Jar Jar Binks. For the First Time in Forever (Reprise) – This where Anna professes her belief in Elsa and in the two of them as family. Elsa sings about how she cannot control the power while Anna sings about teamwork. It is Elsa’s fear that rules the day, and Anna takes a shot to the heart at the end of the song. Fixer Upper – the song of the trolls is the same Disney love song drivel that you get in most Disney songs. There are a couple of questionable references to body parts and functions, and throughout the first part of the song, the theme is that love is what fixes people up. It also hilarious as it pokes fun of Kristoff though the soundtrack missed out on keeping some of Kristoff’s responses to the lyrics out of the recording. The song gains depth with the declaration that “were not saying you can change him ‘cause people don’t really change. We’re only saying that love’s a force that’s powerful and strange.” It also expands the definition of true love the love that can be experienced in family. “People make bad choices if they’re mad or scared or stressed, but throw a little love their way and you’ll bring out their best” can apply to more than just the traditional idea of love between two unrelated people. Let It Go – Demi Lovato does the radio version of the song. Her dark tones and dusky voice do not have the power of Menzel’s more upbeat sound. This song is supposed to be about triumph over constraint, the right to choose a path for oneself and getting to finally do so. There is just too much new pop sound in a song that shouldn’t have the angst associated with the undertones of a pop singer. Vuelie – This is the choral sounding piece that opens the film. IT is a little bit disconcerting because it is so much like the African song that opens up Lion King. On its own, the piece is powerful, and fortunately in the film, it was quickly replaced with Frozen Heart. Heimar Arnadalr – is another choral piece. The rest of the Frozen soundtrack contains the score for the film, which is great for listening to the car and reliving the Marshmallow Attack! scene, or any of the scenes relating to the climax of the film. The score lets you feel those things again. There is also a Deluxe version of the soundtrack that has some extra songs. |
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