The Lion King Legacy Collection release launches Walt Disney Records’ new line of nostalgic CDs honoring the company’s greatest films. Packed with more than two hours of tunes and instrumental tracks from Hans Zimmer, Elton John, and Tim Rice, the debut of this album signifies the positive potential of The Legacy Collection.

This Disney In Depth reviews each of the tracks within The Lion King Legacy Collection.

Cold in July: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
CD|MP3
Music by Jeff Grace
Milan Records
Release Date: May 19, 2014

A truly great filmmaker is smart enough early in their career to establish strong working relationships with the best actors and behind-the-scenes crew they are willing to employ on more than one occasion. There are few creative bonds more crucial in the making of a memorable feature film than the one that exists between the director and their music composer of choice. Cinema history has given us such powerhouse teams as Alfred Hitchcock and Bernard Herrmann, Steven Spielberg and John Williams, Tim Burton and Danny Elfman, Spike Lee and Terence Blanchard, Christopher Nolan and Hans Zimmer, and Sergio Leone and Ennio Morricone to name but a few. Then of course there’s John Carpenter and the best composer he ever worked with….himself.

Speaking of Carpenter, his distinctive, brooding soundtracks are one of the driving influences powering the latest collaboration between filmmaker Jim Mickle and composer Jeff Grace, titled Cold In July.

You’ll never want to “let it go” after taking a listen, as the soundtrack for Frozen, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ latest film, freezes your mind (and ears) in captivation. The tunes by Avenue Q songwriters Kristen-Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez, as well as the strong score by Christophe Beck, swirl together in perfect rhythm. The combination of songs – worthy of being on your iPod playlist – and powerful tracks make Frozen not only one of Disney’s best soundtracks in recent years, but also one of the best film soundtracks you can purchase this year or any year.

Here are some thoughts on the individual songs and tracks from the Frozen soundtrack, which is available now on CD, Deluxe Edition CD, and MP3 Download. I’ve also notate my five favorite pieces.

If You Have Ghost
Ghost
CD | MP3 | Vinyl
Produced by Dave Grohl
Universal Republic
Released November 19, 2013

One of Sweden’s finest current musical exports, Ghost (known as Ghost B.C. in the U.S.), has a new EP out If You Have Ghost that follows up on the band’s sophomore album Infestissumam which was released earlier this year.

The 5-song EP, produced by Dave Grohl, continues to expand on the eerie, satanic synth-driven metal sound which has propelled Ghost to fame since their debut back in 2010. Here, Ghost tackles four covers giving them all their unique musical approach and sound, and then concludes with a live version of “Secular Haze”. Two of the covers were available via different Infestissumam releases, though it is nice to have them in one collection.

Chvrches
Bones Of What You Believe
CD | MP3
Glassnote Records/Virgin Records
Release date: September 24, 2013

Before I get into this review, just want to give a quick history of my music history. My parents were DJs for weddings and for numerous years I worked at a Sam Goody, where I got the chance to see lots of shows and get introduced to a few new bands. My first concert was White Lion and Stryper, with my parents. Some of you are going to have to Google those bands. I would say the best way to describe my wide musical tastes is that I can sum it up with two days of music festivals: one day I went to Lilith Fair; the next day, Warped Tour.

And as much as I love talking about movies and recommending them to people, every once in awhile, a band or performer comes along and I feel the need to go out and spread the word about them. I wish I could remember who first introduced me to the band Chvrches, because I would love to thank them. And perhaps after reading this review of their album Bones Of What You Believe and checking them out, you will feel the same way as me.