Muppets fans get ready. A couple weeks ago the soundtrack to the new highly anticipated Muppet movie was released. Amazing indie rock acts takes on Muppet classics. I love the muppets more than sunshine to the point where it is extremely awkward when people come into my office and see my collection of Muppet shit, but guess what? I don’t care. Muppets are cooler than skinny jeans and flannel. Before I get into the artists and the record itself I wanna kick it off with a Muppet classic we all know and love done a little bit differently… ok, go.
Muppet Show Theme Song – OK Go
This soundtrack features 12 tracks from folks like the aforementioned OK Go to the sweet solo sounds of Andrew Bird and Rachel Yamagata and pretty much everyone in between. These new takes on old classics are re-energizing my childhood dreams of becoming Animal when I grow up.
As you can see from OK Go’s take on The Muppet Show Theme Song people are doing things a little differently on this record. One of my favorite songs is Rainbow Connection. Done by Weezer and Hayley Williams of Paramore fame. They take a more straight forward approach to the tune and thats not a bad thing at all.
Rainbow Connection – Weezer feat. Hayley Williams
Singer Sondre Lerche stands out among a crowd of greats with his version of Mr. Bassman. A country vibe mixed with great a cappella “bass” vocals his version of the tune is awesome.
Mr. Bassman – Sondre Lerche
Other great artists include My Morning Jacket with “Our World” and Alkaline Trio with “Movin’ Right Along”. Both are hugely successful acts who have come up through the indie and jam scenes. Another great standout is LA’s own Airborne Toxic Event with an awesome take on “Wishing Song.”
Wishing Song – Airborne Toxic Event
As a compilation this record is a gem and as a compilation involving the new Muppets movie it’s even better. We all know and love these songs and we all know and love the artists covering these tunes. Here’s a full track list just incase your gonna be “that guy” and not just go out and buy the record based on the awesome tracks you’ve already heard.
- “The Muppet Show Theme” (OK Go)
- “The Rainbow Connection” (Weezer and Hayley Williams)
- “Mahna Mahna” (The Fray)
- “Movin’ Right Along” (Alkaline Trio)
- “Our World” (My Morning Jacket)
- “Halfway Down the Stairs” (Amy Lee)
- “Mr. Bassman” (Sondre Lerche)
- “Wishing Song” (The Airborne Toxic Event)
- “Night Life” (Brandon Saller and Billy Martin)
- “Bein’ Green” (Andrew Bird)
- “I Hope That Somethin’ Better Comes Along” (Matt Nathanson)
- “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” (Rachael Yamagata)
The Beat-Play Experiment 