Today I'll be reviewing the first "Instant Star" soundtrack. Like the second soundtrack, this soundtrack was also performed entirely by "Alexz Johnson". Here's my track by track review:
1) 24 Hours: This song was the first and only single from the album. It was also one of five songs that "Alexz" co-wrote for the album. The song had a video that was played on "The N" a lot and when it was first played I wasn't a fan until I saw the first episode "Even Better Than The Real Thing". The chorus is very relatable. 10/10
2) Temporary Insanity: This song was originally recorded by Canadian band "The Weekend", no to be confused by R&B singer "The Weeknd", for their album "Beatbox My Hearbeat" which was released only two months before this album. The was used in the season one finale, "Should I Stay or Should I Go?". It's starts off slow but picks up when the chorus comes in. Great song. 10/10
3) Waste My Time (featuring Evren Ozdemir): On the show this was picked as "Alexz Johnson's" character's single. Wikipedia says that the song features rapper "Evren Ozdemir" who was not on the show but actor "Matthew Brown", who played "Shay" the boyfriend then ex-boyfriend of "Alexz Johnson's" character "Jude", who was seen rapping the song. Either wikipedia made a mistake or "Matthew Brown" lip-synced the rap part. The song was featured in two episodes of the show "You Can't Always Get What You Want", where it was being written and recorded, and "Kiss Me Deadly", which showed part of a music video being filmed for it. The song was covered by french singer, "Marie-Mai" in french and I have to say her version of the song is pretty good. 10/10
4) Let Me Fall: While "24 Hours" didn't make me a fan when I first heard it, this song I like instantly. I first heard it when "The N" previewed a lit bit of it on TV before hearing the whole song. It was featured on the second episode "Come As You Are". It is an amazing ballad that "Alexz" co-wrote. It's about what to be able to make mistakes and be yourself without anyone telling you how and what you should be. 10/10
5) Skin: Every "Instant Star" fan knows this song. In fact if you go on iTunes and type "Alexz Johnson you will see that it is still her most downloaded song, just like it was when I looked at iTunes back in 2008. The song is played on acoustic guitar and showcases "Alexz's" amazing vocals. On the show it was featured on the episode "Won't Get Fooled Again" when "Alexz's" character finds out her father is cheating on her mother. She then writes and performs the song which leads her father to admit the truth to his wife. "Alexz" wrote this song with her brother "Brendan" and I'm not sure whether they wrote it for the show or from a personal experience. Either was this raw ballad is a favorite for any fan of the show. 10/10
6) I'm In Love With My Guitar: The music to the song is very similar to "24 Hours". It was used in the third episode "Oh Well, Whatever, Nevermind". I used to love the song but over the years it's only pretty good now. The instrumental after the third verse is still amazing though. 7/10
7) Criminal: This song was the only song on the album that was not featured on "Instant Star and for awhile it was the only song from any of the soundtracks that was never featured on the show until "That Was Us" from the fourth soundtrack didn't appear on the show. This may be why I don't listen to the song much. It was written by "Alexz Johnson" and her brother "Brendan Johnson" but it's kinda forgettable after a few listens. 5/10
8) Time to Be Your 21: The song was used in the episode "Unsweet Sixteen". Six years later the song would also be played on the season one finale of "Pretty Little Liars". I remember freaking out when it was played on "Pretty Little Liars" like "OMG, I know this song!". It's a beautiful ballad that should've been a single. 10/10
9) It Could Be You: The song was featured in the episode "Hey Sister" and on the show it seems like it was going to be an acoustic song but the song became as upbeat bubblegum pop/rock song. The song is about two people who obviously have feelings for each but both are afraid to make the first move. It would be a great song if the production wasn't so distracting. 7/10
10) Me Out of Me: This song is a fast pace rock about telling people that they can't change who you are because you like who you are. I love the scream part that's played before the chorus is sung a third time. It was featured in the episode "Lose This Skin". I wish it was a little longer though. 8/10
11) Pick Up the Pieces: This song was played in the episode "All Apologies". The song is a pop ballad that's okay but not that great. It's just too poppy for me. 7/10
12) Your Eyes: This song was played in the episode "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend". It's a ballad that's pretty okay but I honestly only like the song for the chorus and third verse. 7/10
13) That Girl: Like "Skin" and "Criminal", this song was written by "Alexz" and "Brendan Johnson". Only a little bit of the song was played in the episode "Train In Vain". I love the song and wish it was more popular. 10/10
14) Stupid Girl: This song is a cover that was originally performed by the band "Garbage" who released it as a single in 1996 and peaked at number 24 in the U.S. "Alexz's" version of the song was not released as a single. The was not played at all in the first season of "Instant Star" but it was played in "No Sleep Til Brooklyn Part 2", the second episode of the second season of the show. "Alexz's" version is good but sadly not as great as the original. 5/10
The season one soundtrack was the only "Instant Star" soundtrack where "Alexz" co-wrote any material. She didn't due any writing for the other three soundtracks because she was working on her first non-soundtrack album "Weight" which would later be shelved and leaked onto the internet later on. Thankfully she eventually would release a new first album called "Voodoo" in 2010.
My favorite songs on the album are: "Let Me Fall", "Skin", "Temporary Insanity", "That Girl", "24 Hours", and "Waste My Time(featuring Evren Ozdemir). Out of 140 points I give the album 116 points which is 82%, a B.
Thank you for reading this review and leave a comment about what you think of the album.
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