Up-and-Coming Rockers Pay Musical Homage to "The Man of Steel" With Mixture of Original Tracks and Spirited Covers
Available May 23 From Rhino Records
A collection of rising stars pays musical tribute to the red-caped American icon that is synonymous with "Truth, Justice and the American Way" on "SOUND OF SUPERMAN."
The compilation features covers and original songs that explore themes of heroism and name-drop the "Man of Steel," who makes his highly anticipated return to the big screen in "Superman Returns," opening nationwide on June 30th. "SOUND OF SUPERMAN" will be available from Rhino Records on May 23 at regular physical and digital retail outlets and at amazon.com (click above link). Suggested list price is $13.99.
American Hi-Fi saves the day with "The Rescue," the first single from "SOUND OF SUPERMAN" and an all-new studio track from the hard-rocking quartet. Before the album hits the streets, Los Angeles power trio Maxeen provides a sneak preview with "Save Me," a pre-release available now exclusively through the iTunes Music Store.
Since the superhero's debut in "Action Comics" #1 in 1938, Superman has become a pop culture icon familiar to generations. The man, the myth and the metaphor have all found their way into some great songs over the years. Chicago emo-punkers The Academy Is... suit up for "Superman," which was originally recorded by garage rockers The Clique in 1969 -- the track, with its iconic refrain of "I Am, I Am, I Am Superman," was later revived by R.E.M. on the album "Lifes Rich Pageant." Garage rockers The Films go back 30 years with their take on Donovan's #1 1966 hit, "Sunshine Superman." The Sun get the dance floor bumping with their frantic take on "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman," originally recorded by The Kinks. A group of rookie rockers called Royal courts the dark side with its version of "Brainiac's Daughter," a song originally cut by XTC's psychedelic side project Dukes of Stratosphear.
"SOUND OF SUPERMAN" also includes covers of more recent vintage with Paramore's rousing acoustic version of Foo Fighters' 1997 smash, "My Hero," New York indie-pop quartet Nightmare Of You channeling their inner Flaming Lips on "Waitin' For A Superman," and the celebrated Boston quintet The Receiving End Of Sirens' take on the Stereophonics' "Superman."
The album also contains original music from some fresh new faces in rock. Punk-infused indie rockers Motion City Soundtrack provide the guitar heroics with "The Worst Part..." while Jack's Mannequin's infectious piano pop is showcased on the new track "Meet Me At My Window." Chicago's Plain White T's add the pulsing anthem "It's So Easy" and South Dakota rockers The Spill Canvas come to the rescue with "Saved."
The collection also features an original rocker from Sara Routh called "You're Never Gone." Sara is the sister of Brandon Routh, who dons the iconic red cape of the world's best-known comic book hero in "Superman Returns."
"SOUND OF SUPERMAN"
Track Listing
1. The Academy Is... "Superman" (The Clique/R.E.M. cover)
2. Plain White T's "It's So Easy" (original)
3. The Sun "(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman" (The Kinks cover)
4. Motion City Soundtrack "The Worst Part..." (original)
5. The Films "Sunshine Superman" (Donovan cover)
6. Maxeen "Save Me" (original)
7. Paramore "My Hero" (Foo Fighters cover)
8. American Hi-Fi "The Rescue" (original)
9. The Spill Canvas "Saved" (original)
10. Jack's Mannequin "Meet Me At My Window" (original)
11. Nightmare Of You "Waitin' For A Superman" (The Flaming Lips cover)
12. The Receiving End Of Sirens "Superman" (Stereophonics cover)
13. Royal "Brainiac's Daughter" (Dukes of Stratosphear cover)
14. Sara Routh "You're Never Gone" (original)
About "Superman Returns"
Following a mysterious absence of several years, the "Man of Steel" comes back to Earth in the epic action-adventure "Superman Returns," a soaring new chapter in the saga of one of the world's most beloved Super Heroes. While an old enemy plots to render him powerless once and for all, "Superman" (Brandon Routh) faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, "Lois Lane" (Kate Bosworth), has moved on with her life. Or has she?
"Superman"'s bittersweet return challenges him to bridge the distance between them while finding a place in a society that has learned to survive without him. In an attempt to protect the world he loves from cataclysmic destruction, "Superman" embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space.
Directed by Bryan Singer ("X2: X-Men United," "X-Men," "The Usual Suspects"), "SUPERMAN RETURNS" stars newcomer Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth ("Beyond the Sea," "Blue Crush"), James Marsden ("X2: X-Men United," "The Notebook"), Frank Langella (HBO's "Unscripted"), Academy Award-winner Eva Marie Saint ("North By Northwest"), Parker Posey ("Best in Show"), Sam Huntington ("Detroit Rock City"), Kal Penn ("Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle") and Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey ("Beyond the Sea," "American Beauty," "The Usual Suspects").
About DC Comics
DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as "Superman," "Batman," "Wonder Woman" and "the Sandman." These DC super heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics' Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.
About Rhino Entertainment
Based in Burbank, California, Warner Music Group's Rhino Entertainment serves as the central catalog development, licensing, soundtrack, and television marketing area for the corporation. Rhino develops, markets, and promotes both audio and video products from the vast WMG catalog and through new productions with established artists. The division is also responsible for licensing WMG's music for film, television, and video game uses, and for creating custom premium products.
About Chalkboard
Chalkboard is a Los Angeles-based music management, publishing, and entertainment boutique founded by well-known songwriter/composer Bruce Roberts and former Clinton Administration attorney Greg Mertz. Chalkboard's projects and activities are diverse. Chalkboard developed the "SOUND OF SUPERMAN" as a companion to the upcoming feature film "Superman Returns," and is executive producer of the album. Chalkboard's songwriter and producer clients regularly work with a veritable "who's who" of artists, from more established stars like Cher to newer artists like Joss Stone. On the artist management side, look for Chalkboard to launch in 2006 the young pop/R&B artist Jessi Malay on Warner/Reprise. Finally, in the television arena, Chalkboard is executive producing with Elton John the upcoming ABC sitcom "Him & Us" starring Kim Cattrall, and providing scoring services for the buzz-worthy new Tori Spelling show for VH1 "So noTORIous."
LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/20/2006 --
Christopher Reeve dies (2004)
Enjoy several original Superman movie cartoons from the 1940s. 
