Hey, in case you want to hear what a bunch of current musical artists would do with Muppet music, Muppets: The Green Album will provide the answer. You’ve probably heard about this before and it’s coming out August 23rd, but NPR happens to have the thing for your online preview listening pleasure right now, and here you go:
The track listing includes OK Go doing the theme song, Weezer with Paramore’s Hayley Williams tackling “Rainbow Connection,” The Fray (really?) handling that tearjerking ballad “Mahna Mahna,” Alkaline Trio doing “Movin’ Right Along,” My Morning Jacket performing “Our World,” Amy Lee trying her hand at “Halfway Down the Stairs,” Sondre Lerche on “Mr. Bassman” (seriously, did they think, hey, who would be the least likely artist to do that song?), the Airborne Toxic Event doing the “Wishing Song,” Atreyu’s Brandon Saller with “Night Life,” Andrew Bird getting the call for “Bein’ Green,” Matt Nathanson with “I Hope That Something Better Comes Along,” and Rachael Yamagata singing “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday.” Enjoy.
HT: Topless Robot
I uploaded my album from the cd. Did anyone elses iphone 4 turn green when playing this album? or is it the iphone4? i just bought one. yes, i Am a dork…
Kevinphiggins – I am glad you mentioned Jimmy Eat World. I would have loved to have seen them do a song on this album maybe they can make a “The Pink Album” for Miss Piggy next and have some more great artists contribute.
The only really atrocious one on here was Mahna Mahna. The whole joke is that he keeps breaking off and singing scat, but this in this version the singer just mumbles. Stupid. That being said, as a huge Muppets fan, I really enjoyed most of these, especially Rainbow Connection and Movin’ Right Along. Fun updated versions of the songs… I might have to get this and put it in the kiddy CD rotation!
it occurs to me that the song i’m referring to was on Sesame Street and not The Muppet Show, so maybe it doesn’t count.
Is there any point to the Fray’s Mahna Mahna. Talk about a faithful cover, I literally can’t tell any difference.
Plus, the whole song is pretty much a visual joke.
I absolutely had chills from Weezer’s ‘Rainbow Connection’. This from a guy who routinely performs it at karaoke, in the voice of Kermit himself. That is one of the best covers I’ve ever heard. The rest of the stuff is good, but Rainbow Connection is phenomenal.
nothing can compare to the originals, but i liked this for the most part
what i really want to know is why is no one doing a version of “I’d Like To Visit The Moon”?!?!?!?! that song has brought me to tears so often i had to take it off of my setlists. i’d love to hear Iron & Wine cover that, or maybe somebody like Jimmy Eat World or some kind of Ben Gibbard project.
i just nailed it: Ben Gibbard & Zooey Deschanel. perfect pairing for a perfect song.
for those of you who love “Rainbow Connection” you should check out the awesome banjo version of it that Jim James from My Morning Jacket did at the children’s stage at some festival a few years back. it’s on the you tube.
Thank god, you posted first, Luanne. I don’t want to be the only who’s Rainbow Connection’s bitch every single time they hear it.
every.
single.
damn.
time.
i’m so happy that “our world” is on it. ’emmit otter’s jugband christmas’ is a favorite of mine from way back in the day.
the other tracks are ok too, i guess.
I did a quick listen of most of the songs and then pre-ordered it. I love it and sounds great!
I must be old. I found all of this music to be quite unpleasant.
This is mostly awesome! Read my review of the Muppets’ ‘Green Album’ here: http://www.realgonerocks.com/2011/08/various-artists-the-green-album/
I usually like OK Go, but what were they thinking? Atrocious. Weezer has done a decent job on rainbow connection, mr. bassman is very nice, a lot are just OKl. I will take the originals on an album over this any day.
‘The Rainbow Connection’ gets me every. damn. time. *sniff*
The only real clunker for me here is Amy Lee’s cover, mostly because she insists on giving it her Amy Leeing..ist (“Hyiiim half hwaaaay up the staaaiiiirs”.)
For someone who would normally classify their opinion of Weezer as a resounding indifference, I must say that their cover was pretty good.
Give this record 15 more years and you’ll be amazed at how dated this sounds too. Not a fan; but I am not a fan of the bands participating either, so no real surprise to be had there.
Actually the Sondre Lerche version really really works! (Listening to the preview now) I’m really liking this! So far no turkys. I remember the School House Rocks from the 96 where it had a bunch of indie/grunge bands turning their hand to School House Rocks and there were a few that were a little… well let’s just say 90s. Not bad but a little dated. This is a pretty good version of those Muppet tunes.
Holy Crap, Weezer’s version of Rainbow Connection was simply amazing.
Been looking forward to this album for AGES. Going to have to pick it up. May wait until closer to the new movie to get me in the mood… hell who am I kidding need NOW!