The CD begins much like any VeggieTales episode would, with The VeggieTales Theme Song. The version on this CD is done by Rebecca St. James. This song leaves much to be desired. You have to be very careful when tampering with classic songs, because if it's a classic it's already awesome and therefore needs only for you to sing it the way it's already done. St. James, however, doesn't seem to realize this. She ruins the Theme Song by trying to make it a hard rock remix and draw it out to a five minute song. This song is an absolute disgrace to the Theme Song of such a great series.
The second song is just slightly better. I Love My Lips is another classic VeggieTales song, and most everyone enjoys trying to sing along as Larry talks about getting his lips stuck in a gate, having all his friends laugh, and just standing there until the fire department came and....yeah, you know which part I'm talking about...Usta! However, Stevenson, the band consisting of Steven Curtis Chapman and his sons, apparently doesn't realize this. The song is a decent song, however, the last part is cut about halfway through, with Chapman talking his way through and one of his sons interrupting him and saying that he's "heard that story a million times." Sorry kid, but when you interrupt the best part of a song, you get marked down big time.
After only two songs, the CD looks to be a major bust. However, Sanctus Real brings a ray of hope with thier rendition of Promised Land. Some songs are not quite VeggieTales classics, and Promised Land has always been one that I have thought could've used some improvement, though the original is good. Sanctus Real brings about a version that I was able to appreciate. They were able to tweak the song and make it more of a rock song. However, they made sure to not completely change the song, which is a key when doing cover songs. A great cover by a great band.
Now we come to the Newsboys' song, In The Belly Of The Whale. This song is not actually a cover song, as this was a song done by the Newsboys for the Jonah movie. I will be the first to admit that I think the Newsboys have been going downhill over the last year or two. However, In The Belly Of The Whale gives me hope that these boys will get it back together and make another great record sometime down the road.
Next up is a cover of The Water Buffalo Song. The band brought in to do this cover is Superchic(k). They are the first group to actually use the introduction to a Silly Song in their song (Changing it slightly to "Silly Songs with Superchic(k)). That is a plus for this song. Superchic(k) took a chance with this song, changing it from a really fast song to a song that actually has a slight swing feel to it at times. However, I think the risk payed off. It's an enjoyable version of this song, though the original is probably still better.
Now we come to Paul Colman Trio's version of I'm So Blue. I have to admit, I was kind of iffy about a group of three guys doing a song sung originally by a woman. And introducting the song with a mention of the CD Title was kind of weird. However, doing a rock version of this song actually payed off quite well. This is a better version of the song, however, it would never fit into the Madame Blueberry story if this rock version was played as a little blueberry sang this song. Still a very good song though.
Next up is the Audio Adrenaline live version of probably the most popular Silly Song, The Hairbrush Song. I think that the Audio Adrenaline version is decent. It's not necessarily the greatest version ever created (because you can't top a classic, of course), but they kept their "Artistic Freedom" to a minimum in this song, so the song is not ruined and is, in fact, an enjoyable version to listen to.
Relient K comes next with their amped up version of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. This song is available as a single as well, with both this song and Larry covering Relient K's song Breakdown. This version of Pirates is hilarious, just like the original. My only complaint is that the Veggie Rocks! version cuts out a part of the song, whereas the single version does not.
I Can Be Your Friend is another song that I've always felt left something to be desired for me. The O.C. Supertones fix that. With their brass section doing the "La, la, la" part of the chorus, the boys of the band create a great version of this song. I was very happy with the improvements.
Tait keeps their version of Mr. Lunt's Love Song, His Cheeseburger very close to the original version, and this produces a quality song. Tait makes the song slightly more rock, but sticks very close to the original version of the song. Michael Tait's voice is awesome, and he shows that once again in this song. A very well done cover.
Last up on this CD is Skillet's version of Stand. Skillet takes the song and makes it their own, completely making this into a hard rock song. However, they don't make a horrible version of this song. Instead, they were smart and chose a song that is not necessarily one the "classics" in VeggieTales history. Instead, they pick a song that is one of the lesser played songs and switches it up and creates a song that makes you want to listen to it over and over again. Great job.
FINAL ANALYSIS: This CD begins very slowly, with the first two songs leaving a lot to be desired. However, it rebounds and pulls out 9 other songs that are at the very least decent, and at best, killer remakes. Overall, it seems as though the best songs are saved for last. However, that means that there are songs that just didn't cut it. My thoughts? Never let Rebecca St. James cover another VeggieTales song ever, keep Steven and his sons from cutting out the greatest parts of classic songs, and after that, it's pretty up in the air. Enjoy it, hate it...it's your choice.