iiiGiven the success of the soundtrack to the original Fame movie - the score and title song won Oscars, and Out Here On My Own was nominated - those involved in the remake had a lot of hard work ahead of them. Unfortunately, much of it was in vain.
The famous theme has been given a complete makeover. Gone are the famous, piercing electric guitar introduction and Irene Cara's desperate, almost cynical delivery, and in their place are an upbeat syncopated rhythm and Naturi Naughton's wide-eyed optimism - a reflection on the film. While the original was gritty, the remake makes for squeaky clean, tween-friendly viewing.
Many of the tracks are generally bland, occasionally - in the case of Big Things - irritating hip hop numbers about never giving up on your dreams. Newcomer Asher Book sings a couple of piano-led numbers: Someone to Watch Over Me and John Legend's Ordinary People. These songs probably work in the film, but they sound like audition pieces and don't translate over to a soundtrack.
Highlights include Megan Mullally's big-band You Took Advantage of Me and a version of I Put a Spell On You Nina Simone would have been proud of.
This is by no means a bad album. Just make sure you're feeling chirpy before you listen.