This is probably the hardest thing in the world to review. It isn't really a soundtrack, more just a song compilation, albeit a collection of very amusing and silly ones as well as interesting variations on the famous Simpsons theme. Most (if not all) of the songs are clever piss-takes of some quite well known songs. See my Vest, from Two Dozen and One Greyhounds is a very accurate send up of Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast. Flaming Moe's (I am informed) sends up the theme from Cheers, although I thought it sounded like Streets of London by Ralph McTell! Dr. Zaius is clearly based on Amadeus, although it features in a musical version of Planet of the Apes from the episode, A Fish Called Selma. Most of the songs are based on musical numbers and so whether you have seen the musical or can recall any of the songs from one will affect how much you get the joke. However, it's not only the musical styles that are clever, the lyrics are often hilariously funny, in particular one song about how awful New Orleans is from "Oh Streetcar!" and although I have never been there, it certainly won't boost tourist numbers to the city.
There are a few spots of dialogue throughout and these are all well placed to compliment the songs and so the usual complaint about speaking on soundtracks doesn't really apply, indeed, there are a couple of speech-only tracks, one in particular, In Search of an Out of Body Vibe, is a riot. The variations on the Simpsons theme are all very clever although some are more subtle than others. The Addams Family version is very similar to the original, with the harpsichord and clicking fingers. The JFK homage is actually rather downbeat compared to John Williams' original theme, but is fairly effective.
This is a CD that no Simpsons fan should go without and for an hour of strange and cleverly written short songs, this is ideal. I am sure there are a good number of Simpsons songs still out there to feature on a second edition and I for one will be looking forward to it immensely.
Rating ~ 