Glee - a journey through belief and music.
By cwilko2011, 13th Jun 2011 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutReviewsFilm & TVMusical
A look back at the phenomenal success of the hit US series Glee. This is the first in a line of reviews of the vast catalogue of albums that have amassed in such a short space of time.
Maybe This Time?
Glee was first aired in the UK in 2009 and has had a profound effect on the music industry not just in the UK but also across the globe. At face value it is a sugary sweet, serialised version of High School Musical (without the basketball). That is until you begin to look into the content of the plot. While it may be full of impromptu singing and sometimes corny relationships, it also helps tackle issues that are rife throughout schools both in the US and UK.
The Music
Not only does Glee cater to younger audiences with “mash-ups” of current songs and sparkling production values, they also use a lot of songs the current generation would otherwise not have heard. A case in point is the first album; there is an equal mix of current, older and musical songs. This shows the depth of the material they are willing to produce. Songs such as “No Air” and “Take a Bow” keep the soundtrack current with songs like “Sweet Caroline” and “Somebody to Love” playing into their parents mindset. Then they play right into the heart of it’s core viewer base with “Defying Gravity” and “Maybe this time”. The latter two are both songs that many young people can identify with, especially those on the fringe.
Reception
As with anything that is shown on our screens there is always going to be a sense of animosity, i.e. not everyone is going to live. As a starting point, the first series and the first album was the initial talking point. On the face of it, the albums are auto-tuned, quirky and cheesy. A collaboration of songs that may not be found on the average teenager’s iTunes. Glee concedes that it is not going to appeal to everyone but what cannot be denied is the huge success that it has had.
Follow Up
One of the enduring facts of this marmite-type series is its appeal. It is something that the average teenager can identify with. The songs on the first album take you on a journey (excuse the pun) through a whole spectrum of emotions, the daily life of a teenager no less. Although this is only the beginning, it is clear that the following albums will no doubt offer a similar feel.
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