Music News

Sound of Superman features 14 bands paying tribute to the icon

By Patrick Luce Jun 5, 2006, 20:14 GMT

Just in time for the summer movie season, Rhino delivers a Man of Steel celebration in 14 tracks from up-and-coming power pop-rock bands, loosely collected around the theme of Krypton\'s favorite son. The Academy Is… turn in an energetic reading of R.E.M.\'s "Superman," while new versions of the Flaming Lips\' "Waiting for a Superman" and Donovan\'s "Sunshine Superman" are mostly disposable renderings of their earlier versions. Sound of Superman sticks ...more

Rhino Records will release the new compilation CD Sound of Superman, which features 14 bands paying musical tribute to the red-caped American icon, on June 13th for the suggested retail price of $13.98.

A collection of rising stars pays musical tribute to the red-caped American icon that is synonymous with Truth, Justice and the American Way on Sound of Superman. The compilation features covers and original songs that explore themes of heroism and name-drop the Man of Steel - who just happens to be making his highly anticipated return to the big screen in Superman Returns (opening nationwide on June 30th). 

American Hi-Fi saves the day with “The Rescue,” the first single from CD and an all-new studio track from the hard-rocking quartet. Before the album hits the streets, Los Angeles power trio Maxeen provides a sneak preview with “Save Me,” a pre-release available now exclusively through the iTunes Music Store.

Since the superhero’s debut in Action Comics #1 in 1938, Superman has become a pop culture icon familiar to generations. The man, the myth and the metaphor have all found their way into some great songs over the years.

Sound of Superman also includes covers of more recent vintage with Paramore’s rousing acoustic version of Foo Fighters’ 1997 smash, “My Hero,” New York indie-pop quartet Nightmare Of You channeling their inner Flaming Lips on “Waitin’ For A Superman,” and the celebrated Boston quintet The Receiving End Of Sirens’ take on the Stereophonics’ “Superman.”

The album also contains original music from some fresh new faces in rock. Punk-infused indie rockers Motion City Soundtrack provide the guitar heroics with “The Worst Part…” while Jack’s Mannequin’s infectious piano pop is showcased on the new track  “Meet Me At My Window.” Chicago’s Plain White T’s add the pulsing anthem “It’s So Easy” and South Dakota rockers The Spill Canvas come to the rescue with “Saved.”

The collection also features an original rocker from Sara Routh called “You’re Never Gone.” Sara is the sister of Brandon Routh, who dons the iconic red cape of the world’s best-known comic book hero in Superman Returns. 

Sound of Superman track listing includes:

1.              The Academy Is… “Superman” (The Clique/R.E.M. cover)

2.              Plain White T’s “It’s So Easy” (original)

3.              The Sun “(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman”  (The Kinks cover)

4.              Motion City Soundtrack “The Worst Part…” (original)

5.              The Films “Sunshine Superman” (Donovan cover)

6.              Maxeen “Save Me” (original)

7.              Paramore “My Hero” (Foo Fighters cover)

8.              American Hi-Fi “The Rescue” (original)

9.              The Spill Canvas “Saved” (original)

10.           Jack’s Mannequin “Meet Me At My Window” (original)

11.           Nightmare Of You “Waitin’ For A Superman” (The Flaming Lips cover)

12.           The Receiving End Of Sirens  “Superman” (Stereophonics cover)

13.           Royal “Brainiac’s Daughter” (Dukes of Stratosphear cover)

14.           Sara Routh “You’re Never Gone” (original)

Sound of Superman is available for pre-order at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information.