I would like you all to think back to my first column this semester. You remember, the one where I told you all to watch “Glee.” Well, oh boy, did you listen. “Glee” was one of the first new shows this year to get picked up for a full season, the covered songs they release after each show always go to the top of the charts on iTunes and those geeky kids have been breaking records right and left with their quirky high school musical (that is not in any way, like High School Musical). I’d like to take personal responsibility for skyrocketing them to fame. I’m sure my check is in the mail — right Fox?

Not only is this show brimming with incredible young actors and singers (and of course, the indomitable Jane Lynch, who danced and wore a zoot suit in one episode — classic), they have also managed to do the impossible, i.e. make a musical television show work. This really is a feat to be celebrated in and of itself. Many others have come and gone, canceled before they even got to the refrain in their first song, but “Glee” has deftly avoided that trap and managed to become gloriously campy and utterly sincere and endearing in their handling of the very honest realities of both high school and adult life. The head cheerleader is pregnant, the “Glee” coach is constantly teetering on the edge of cheating on his wife and one of the members of the club recently came out to his father. He also sang and did the “Single Ladies” dance in that episode. This is good stuff, people.

I will say this, though: The best part of “Glee” by far is the music. All of the actors on the show have great musical talent, and seeing a white guy sincerely rap Kanye’s “Gold Digger” with a chorus of teenage dweebs singing backup is priceless.

That is why I was so happy to hear that the people over at “Glee” would be releasing the soundtrack to season one in two parts, the first of which came out last week. I have been listening to it obsessively ever since.
It may be a new life goal of mine to work for this show, just so I could sit near the genius that is their music department. They have covered some of the most well-known classics of the last 50 years, the hottest songs from the charts today and Broadway numbers, all to extreme success.

I mean, really. These people did a mash-up of Usher and Bon Jovi and it worked. That is just awesome. Apparently, they have only ever been turned down for the rights to use a song by one artist — and you know whoever that was is kicking themselves over his stupidity now — and Madonna recently opened up her entire catalogue to be used on the show. Obviously they are doing something right.

The soundtrack is filled mostly with upbeat songs with full orchestral and choral accompaniment, and even if you have never watched the show (Really, how do you live? Go watch this show.) I still recommend you give it a listen; there is something for everybody.

There are two raps on the album, the previously mentioned “Gold Digger” and also the classic “Bust a Move” that both manage to successfully tow the line between hilariously over the top and legitimate cover song done impeccably well.

For you Broadway fans out there, Kristin Chenoweth guest-starred on the show a few weeks ago and gave an incredible rendition, with “Glee” regular and Broadway vet Lea Michele, of Cabaret’s “Maybe This Time” that should definitely blow your mind. The album also includes Wicked’s “Defying Gravity,” which has yet to come up on the show, but is absolutely a winner.

On the popular front, Rihanna’s “Take a Bow,” Jordin Sparks’ “No Air” and even Avril Lavigne’s “Keep Holding On” all get the “Glee” treatment. Trust me, anyone who can make an Avril Lavigne song bearable deserves a gold medal. Send these kids to the Olympics.

And for that “certain segment” of our Hoya population who enjoy their critter shorts and shot-gunning Natty Light on the daily (who are we kidding, they aren’t reading this. The Bros, this one is for the Bros), Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” also makes an appearance not to be missed.
Finally, the song that I have been obsessing over since it was on the show, and now even more so since I have access to it in its entirety 24 hours a day, Queen’s “Somebody to Love” is impeccably recreated by these talented kids. Freddie Mercury would be proud: this one is far and away the standout on the album.

As I said, there really is something for everyone. So get rid of that Troy and Gabriella High School Musical crap you have hidden in your iPod and go experience what real talent and real entertainment is with “Glee.” You won’t be sorry.