SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 67 Min.
Released through Capitol Records for the 2018 film, this album consists of these eighteen tracks:
Track 1: “When I Kissed the Teacher.” (3:01)
Performers: Lily James; Jessica Keenan Wynn; Alexa Davies; & Celia Imrie.
Track 2: “I Wonder (Departure).” (4:29)
Performers: Lily James; Jessica Keenan Wynn; & Alexa Davies.
Track 3: “One of Us.” (3:45)
Performers: Amanda Seyfried & Dominic Cooper.
Track 4: “Waterloo.” (2:48)
Performers: Hugh Skinner & Lily James.
Track 5: “Why Did It Have To Be Me?” (3:18)
Performers: Josh Dylan; Lily James; & Hugh Skinner.
Track 6: “I Have a Dream.” (4:24)
Performer: Lily James.
Track 7: “Kisses of Fire.” (2:29)
Performers: Panos Mouzourakis; Jessica Keenan Wynn; & Alexa Davies.
Track 8: “Andante, Andante.” (4:00)
Performer: Lily James.
Track 9: “The Name of the Game.” (4:45)
Performer: Lily James.
Track 10: “Knowing Me, Knowing You.” (3:45)
Performers: Jeremy Irvine; Lily James; Pierce Brosnan; & Amanda Seyfried.
Track 11: “Angel Eyes.” (4:11)
Performers: Julie Walters; Christine Baranski; & Amanda Seyfried.
Track 12: “Mamma Mia.” (2:39)
Performers: Lily James; Jessica Keenan Wynn; & Alexa Davies.
Track 13: “Dancing Queen.” (3:41)
Performers: Pierce Brosnan; Christine Baranski; Julie Walters; Colin Firth; Stellan Skarsgård; Dominic Cooper; & Amanda Seyfried.
Track 14: “I’ve Been Waiting for You.” (3:17)
Performers: Amanda Seyfried; Christina Baranski; & Julie Walters.
Track 15: “Fernando.” (3:59)
Performers: Cher & Andy Garcia.
Track 16: “My Love, My Life.” (3:49)
Performers: Lily James; Meryl Streep; & Amanda Seyfried.
Track 17: “Super Trouper.” (3:51)
Performers: The Cast.
Track 18: “The Day Before You Came.” (5:29)
Performer: Meryl Streep.
REVIEW:
Recycling several of the first film’s tunes, one might expect merely a glorified rehash. Yet, this classy album often gives some well-worn ABBA hits a fresh spark. Compensating for forgettable male vocals (in the flashbacks) are several knockout efforts from Lily James as ‘Young Donna.’ As necessary, she gets terrific back-up from Alexa Davies and Jessica Keenan Wynn. In the present-day songs, Amanda Seyfried sparkles, as heard in Track 3: “One of Us.” In Meryl Streep’s place, Seyfried impressively holds her own with solid contributors Julie Walters and Christine Baranski (whom we hear too little of).
Track 13’s ensemble rendition of “Dancing Queen” is fine, but it sorely misses Streep’s presence. Though they have decent voices, Stellan Skarsgård and Colin Firth vanish among the back-up vocals on this track, which isn’t a bad call. The same applies to Track 17: “Super Trouper,” as the female vocals easily overwhelm the guys re: the minimal contributions they actually make. That said, Pierce Brosnan’s cameo on Track 10: “Knowing Me, Knowing You” is undeniably dreadful, and should have been edited out.
Cher so dominates Track 15: “Fernando,” that she utterly drowns out Andy Garcia. Though the melody retains its charm, Cher’s overbaked ‘it’s all about me’ vocals sabotage this duet. Still, the poignant Tracks 16 and 18 are stellar, particularly for Steep’s inclusion. Track: 16: “My Love, My Life” is an elegant lullaby-like ode to the enduring bond between mothers and daughters. Concluding with Streep’s enigmatic “The Day Before You Came” reminds listeners why her underrated vocals were the first album’s secret weapon. Her track’s melancholy offers an intriguing finish to an otherwise sunny album – especially, as its continuity to the storyline is debatable.
Overall, this album’s reliance upon James & Seyfried is smart thinking. In particular, James is the album’s MVP, as she single-handedly holds up the album’s first half. Not as endearing as the inspired first soundtrack, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again compensates for puny male vocals with high-caliber performances by the actresses (not counting Cher’s diva turn).
PACKAGING:
The tracks and performers are listed on the case’s back cover. The tracks are also listed on the CD itself. However, the track running times aren’t included. The booklet insert is nicely decorated with numerous stills from the film. The booklet also contains each song’s lyrics; cast credits; composer & musician credits; and a two-page introduction.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
