Muppets
The Green Album

Campus Correspondent CD Review by Laura Cebula

“The Green Album” (Walt Disney Records) is the cleverly titled tribute to The Muppets, who are back in style thanks to a recent movie comeback. Like these fictional furry friends, the collection also features a strange cast of characters with each artist putting its own spin on a classic Muppet songs.

OK Go begins the compilation with an unconventional version of “The Muppet Show Theme Song.” It continues with an endearing duet of “Rainbow Connection,” sung by Weezer and Haley Williams of Paramore. Though these songs could win the hearts of music snobs and six-year-olds alike, the standout track is Andrew Bird’s cover of “Bein’ Green.” The whimsical song lends itself wonderfully to Bird’s soft, folksy rendition. The same goes for Sondre Lerche, who sings the fun and upbeat “Mr. Bassman.”

Though the project is heavy with singer/songwriters like Rachel Yamagata and Matt Nathanson, it also includes artists from different genres, such as Alkaline Trio’s punk-tinged “Movin’ Right Along” and Amy Lee of Evanescence’s heavy “Halfway Down The Stairs.” Brandon Saller and Billy Martin’s “Night Life” is a surprising hard rock moment, but is a nice change from the softer songs on the album.

The album is only tainted by the annoying track “Mahna Mahna,” covered by The Fray. But this is The Muppets and no Muppet project would be complete with out the iconic song. All in all, this disc is a pop culture buff’s dream since it brings together amazing chart-topping and indie artists, combined with plenty of fun that proves green is still good.