In advance of Disney's 42nd full-length animated feature, Treasure Planet, Walt Disney Records has released the film's soundtrack to retail outlets. With 17 tracks featuring 55 minutes of music, the album features two original songs written by John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls and an original score composed by five-time Academy Award nominee James Newton Howard, who also composed scores for Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Dinosaur.

The tracks for the album are as follows:

1. I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme) - John Rzeznik
2. Always Know Where You Are - BBMak
3. 12 Years Later (Score)
4. To the Spaceport (Score)
5. Rooftop (Score)
6. Billy Bones (Score)
7. The Map (Score)
8. Silver (Score)
9. The Launch (Score)
10. Silver Comforts Jim (Score)
11. Jim Chases Morph (Score)
12. Ben (Score)
13. Silver Bargains (Score)
14. The Back Door (Score)
15. The Portal (Score)
16. Jim Saves the Crew (Score)
17. Silver Leaves (Score)

While Rzeznik sings both of his tunes in the film, BBMak performs "Always Know Where You Are" on the soundtrack. The single "I'm Still Here" currently gets a lot of play time on Top 40 Radio, ranking as the No. 16 song on Billboard's Adult Top 40 list for November 30, 2002. Lyrics for both songs are included with the CD.

The film is rated PG for "Adventure Action and Peril," both of which are captured by Howard's theatrical score. If Alan Menken's music is Broadway inspired, Howard's claims its roots in from epic adventures from the Silver Screen. There is no doubt that when listening to "Silver" that he is anything but a pirate. The music, on the whole, is reflective of Sci-Fi and Action-Adventure themes, similar to music one might find on the Atlantis soundtrack or from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The liner notes of the CD say, "Please insert CD into your computers [sic] CD-ROM drive to access special features." But please note that this is not an enhanced CD. Rather, a pop-up screen offers you the chance to register for the Walt Disney Records Newsletter or access Internet features, both of which require an Internet connection. The link to register for the newsletter returns a '404 File Not Found' error while the Internet features option gives you nothing extra than what is already available to non-CD purchasers at http://disney.go.com/disneyrecords/soundtracks/treasureplanet/index.html. There, you can watch the video for "I'm Still Here."

Overall, the soundtrack is quite enjoyable. Rzeznik's "I'm Still Here" has a bit of Rockability to it that makes it not only radio-worthy but also gives a sense to the feelings of Jim Hawkins in the film. The song has been on the air for about six weeks but I don't think I've ever heard a single DJ mention that the song is from the "upcoming Disney film, Treasure Planet," which is too bad. Likewise, the video seems to have only veiled references to the film starting halfway through. If I didn't know that the images were from Treasure Planet, there's no way I would have figured it out on my own.

Though Disney's Hollywood Records-signed BBMak isn't horrible in their performance of "Always Know Where You Are," it would be nice to have a Walt Disney Records album released that doesn't feature performers suited mainly for Radio Disney. After finding out that Rzeznik also performed the same song in the film, it would have been nice to have had both on the soundtrack to enjoy.

Howard's music is quite enjoyable, which is good since the majority of the soundtrack is his score. The music is subtle enough that it should blend nicely into the background of the dialogue and story yet still elicit emotions of anticipation and excitement for the adventure that is to be found on screen.

Though it is not a full-blown musical, this album won't disappoint fans of Disney soundtracks or those who love music from adventure epics. The themes of pirates and outer space are handled well because of the ageless story of Jim Hawkins trying to find his place in the world. Put this music on and then pick up the original Treasure Island novel and see if it doesn't enhance the mood of your reading.

- Story by Matthew Walker; Cover art ©Disney
Posted

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