Published on Mar 23, 2001
OK, I think I’ve thoroughly explained how this album works on
previous occasions. Composer James A. Johnston creates the entrance
music for the various World Wrestling Federation superstars. It
functions as the theme for the wrestling character – mean bad ass,
dark warrior, evil backstabber, etc. – and its very start sends
fans into frenzies of cheers or boos. This music is placed on CDs
that shockingly proceed to enter near the top of the Billboard
charts.
I guess what amazes some is that, as they are continually
released; they are more and more popular. Like professional
wrestling has become accepted in the mainstream, so has this little
compilation album. Now, the WWF has unleashed its fifth edition and
I can only say, it’s about time. In the time that has passed
between
Volume 4 and
Volume 5, several new wrestlers have joined the WWF and some
of the cooler entrance music had been officially missing. (Yes,
there were some of these available through Napster, but they were
poor recordings made at the live shows).
WWF: The Music Vol. 5 finally gives the wrestling fans the
chance to hear these.
For me, the coolest track here is “The Game,” the entrance theme
for Triple H (or Hunter Hearst Helmsley). While the WWF had already
given him a new entrance theme in
Volume 4, this one is an improvement, if I do say so. Why?
It’s simply because they went out and got Lemmy Kilmister and
Motorhead to record it. If anyone can project mean with his voice
and with his music, it’s Lemmy and here he delivers it. While the
last theme gave Triple H the attitude of breakout, this new one
gives him a true sense of mean.
Other big highlights are “If You Dare” (Tazz), “What About Me”
(Raven) and “Shooter” (Chris Benoit). This is testosterone-packed
mood music, but it’s highly enjoyable. From the raven sounds in
“What About Me?” to the EEG sounds in “If You Dare,” Johnston finds
little things that make each track different, unique and cool.
Another cool, if goofy, track is “Turn It Up” (Too Cool), which
manages to sound as the DJ mix of the cheesiest rappers of all
times. Hear it and you will laugh and enjoy it.
Unfortunately, a lot of this music is middle-of-the-road and not
really that exciting. “Who I Am” (Chyna), “Get Rowdy” (K-Kwik),
“I’ve Got It All” (“The One” Billy Gunn), and others are only
average and don’t present as much attitude as they should. This may
be due to a lack of focus on just who the wrestler is. I mean,
listen to “Out of the Fire” (Kane) or “Shooter” (Chris Benoit) and
compare it to “It Just Feels Right” (Lita) or “Bad Man” (Rikishi)
and tell me which one exudes more presence. At the same time, there
are a few tracks like “Latino Heat (Eddie Guerrero)” and “Medal
(Kurt Angle),” which, while not bad, are not as great or as
exciting.
Then, there’s “Pie.” The Rock’s recording debut – with guest
Slick Rick – is a toss-up. To the millions (and millions) of Rock’s
fans, this song is great and funny and just brims with his
personality. However, its gospel/hip-hop mix might not find a lot
of fans with everyone else. It’s a mixed affair as far as I’m
concerned. Depending on what day I hear it, I either laugh or shut
the CD off.
And, as always, I will speak of those tracks that are missing
here. While I understand that the entrance themes for the Hardy
Boyz and Crash Holly are public property – therefore cannot be
placed on a CD – there are several others that should have made it
here. Entrance music for wrestlers like the Dudley Boys, the
Radicalz, Dean Malenko, and the Disturbed-version of Stone Cold
Steve Austin should have all been here. One guesses that these and
others are being saved for that upcoming sixth volume.
Coming off the strong third and fourth volumes, there was a lot
of expectations for
WWF: The Music Vol. 5. I really would have liked for this
volume to have been the strongest in the streak of
WWF: The Music, but alas, it is not. While some of these
tracks are great, others leave me wanting for more.