Glee: The Music, Vol. 4

Albumrecension

Don’t let the title fool you; Vol. 4 is actually the eighth release from Glee’s inexhaustible catalog of show tunes and revised pop songs. It’s also the show’s third album to appear during the 2010 holiday season. That may be a lot of music for the average Gleek to handle, but Vol. 4 has a few aces up its sleeve, including a trio of songs from the spot-on “Britney/Brittany” episode and several tuneful solos by Chord Overstreet and Darren Criss, the show’s two newcomers. In addition, Heather Morris (Brittany) steps out from behind her ditzy cheerleader façade to perform a pair of Britney Spears songs, and it’s nice to see another member of the supporting cast enjoy a much-deserved turn in the spotlight. The album’s true highlight, though, is an a cappella version of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” performed by Criss with backup from Tufts University group the Beelzebubs. The song topped the Billboard digital charts one week after its release — the first Glee single to ever hit number one, and perhaps the first a cappella tune since Bobby McFerrin's “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” to hold that honor, as well — and it’s proof that Glee hasn’t run out of inventive ideas.