Album Review: Various Artist - ‘Sound of Superman’

By Jeff Swindoll Jun 20, 2006, 19:34 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

This summer is shaping up to be the summer of the Man of Steel.  To that end Rhino Records has put together a tribute album inspired by the Son of Krypton.  The CD also comes with an introduction by Superman Returns director Bryan Singer. He explains that this CD gathers songs from all eras that are associated with Superman, covering the TV show, DC comics, or film versions. 

The CD features 7 cover versions of other band’s Superman inspired songs and 7 original contributions.  I’ll have to admit no knowing of most of the bands that contribute here.  I’m probably more familiar with some of the original bands than some of these new bands doing the covering.  You may feel that my idea of “hip” is “I’ve fallen and broken mine.” 

The original songs are by Plain White T’s (“It’s so easy”), Motion City Soundtrack (“The Worst Part”), Maxeen (“Save Me”), American Hi-Fi (“The Rescue”), The Spill Canvas (“Saved”), Jack’s Mannequin (“Meet Me at my Window”), and Sara Routh (“You’re Never Gone”).  The cover versions are from The Academy Is (“Superman” originally by the Clique or R.E.M.), The Sun (“Wish I could Fly like Superman” The Kinks), The Films (“Sunshine Superman” Donovan #1 in 1966), Paramore (“My Hero” Foo Fighters), Nightmare of You (“Waitin’ for a Superman” The Flaming Lips), The Receiving End of Sirens (“Superman” Stereophonics), and Royal (“Brainiac’s Daughter” Dukes of Stratosphear). 

The only two that I had heard before were Superman by R.E.M. and Sunshine Superman by Donovan.  The other covers were unfamiliar to me, but I liked them all.  I liked all of the originals as well.  The standouts to me were Sunshine Superman, The Rescue, and Brainiac’s Daughter (which had a Sgt. Pepper’s Club/Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds Beatle’s vibe to it). 

I found the CD very good.  I was having doubts since I had never heard of any of the bands, but found myself enjoying it.  I’d suggest a purchase if you want to hear the covers of any of the songs above or just have to have every bit of Superman ephemera that will be gracing store shelves this summer.

‘Sound of Superman is now available at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information and a complete track listing.