Search - Various Artists :: Queer As Folk: Fourth Season

QAF:S4 A Change in Direction and BPMs

Joel D. Arndt | University Heights, OH USA | 07/17/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased Queer As Folk: Season Four spur of the moment thinking it would be a great summer Hi-NRG disc for listening in my car. After my initial disappointment, where I thought briefly of writing a "don't bother" type of review, I decided to really take a listen. After further consideration, I believe it makes for good listening, but not if your in the mood for a continuous bump and grind upbeat dance mix. There is nothing bad on this CD and it does have a number of dance-oriented selections, but some cuts are more worthwhile than others including Cue the Pulse to Begin by Burnside Project, Train by Goldfrapp, Understanding the New Violence by The Uncut which has an early 80's dance/new wave retro sound, the hilarious showbizzy/loungy If I Were a Man by Andrea Menard and the melodic Wonderful Life by Black, the main title cut from his 1987 release. Listening to the lyrics of Wonderful Life one can understand why it was chosen by the producers of the series. I hope our lives are more multi-dimensional than just going to the local cha-cha palace on Saturday night and the culture that surrounds it. The QAF:S4 soundtrack, while not a classic, proves that a change in direction can be a good thing. I applaud the producers of the series and the CD for taking chances and risking alienating fans which they have done here obviously. After all, the same thing over and over again is boring and not very creative."

Thankfully not just dance music...

Dale E. Hopkins, II | Lakewood, OH USA | 06/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I get so tired of the "gay equals club music" stereotype that seems to plague every gay-themed release. Thankfully, the people who produce QaF realise that there is more to music than the incessant thump of a disco beat. This disc creates moods and reflects the emotions that the characters were feeling during the scenes in which they played. I like the new theme as it isn't so frantic and over the top. "Spunk" was great, but it's time for a change. The show is more mature than when it began and the sonic scapes are reflecting that. Yes, there are a few twirly numbers for the circuit queens who seem to want to rule the world but there are also ambient, edgy rock tracks that evoke more complex moods for the rest of us. Go deep... turn yourself onto something with some more layers."

A little better...but is IS a Wonderful Life.....

Kendrik Lau | New York City | 07/06/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, the fourth season CD. Well, they are harking back to the basics, in a way. The second season CD of Queer as Folk followed the trend set by the soundtrack of the British series by having all the songs segued into one long grind (and one song which never even used in the show....what a waste of CD space). The third season had two CDs, one a segued thumpa thumpa Babylong disc while the second one featured some of the less danceable tunes of the show.Onward to season four, where like the very first soundtrack, we get a eclectic mix here. The thumping sound of Babylon are here, along with ballads and yes, even one show tune!Overall, the music for the fourth season has improved...but I still questioned the choices made on which to include on the soundtrack. Some are good, some....not so good (surprised?)The very first track is the new theme: Cue the Pulse to Begin...but this version bear little resemblance to the one used in the show (no countdown..ONE TWO THREE....!)The second track Attitude virtually burst with attitude, which is followed by the swinging I'm The Main Man by Jason Nevins. However, the next several tracks were a bit undistinctive. Even though they have their own unique appeal, they turn out to be music that you turn on as background music....just like on the show. You know there is something that is being played...but ultimately its main purpose was to fill the silence, nothing more, and nothing less.Then came If I Were A Man by Andrea Menard, a bonafide gay show tune (or anthem)which is unlike anything else on the soundtrack and is totally out of synch from the soundtrack's numbness. It immediately make you take notice and is one of the best songs on the disc.Speaking of anthems, saving the best for last, is Wonderful Life by Black. It is a song that is as poignant as Badly Drawn Boy's The Shining, AND as powerful and re-affirming as Heather Small's Proud or Ultra Nate's Free. This single song ends the disc with an emotional and powerful wallop...and is probably the only one (except maybe for Andrea Menard's) that you will find yourself listen to repeatedly.The soundtrack was billed as featuring the most memorable music on the show...which I beg to differ. Once again, some of the best tunes are left out....like Junk Odyssey by ECT, You Come In Burned by the Dandy Warhols, Lemon Jelly's In The Bath.Ultimately, the music from the first season is still the best. This soundtrack may get a little boring and repetitive at times, but the last song, Wonderful Life, is worth buying the soundtrack alone."