True Colors Soundtrack Review

Vocal tracks are nothing new to Sonic games. They've been around since the early 1990s since (to my knowledge) Sonic CD with popular numbers like Sonic Boom (from the USA version of Sonic CD), and Cosmic Eternity (from the Japanese version of Sonic CD). However, it seems that they've become more the norm with Sonic Adventure. Practically every Sonic game since then has seen it's share of lyrical tracks.

You know something else that isn't new? Sega's love for releasing compilation albums. I've lost count of how many of these have come out, let alone the ones that have specifically focused on everyone's favorite blue hedgehog. That's OK, because True Colors: The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog Part 2 (they really need to work on making shorter album titles) could very well be the best Sonic compilation album. At least until Sega finally decides to give Sonic a mammoth sized multi disc album release that the Phantasy Star Shinobi and Dayton games have seen. But until then, we'll just make do with True Colors, which is still a pretty sweet collection.

With so many vocal tracks on the numerous Sonic games, it can be hard to keep up with all of them, so True Colors is a welcome "greatest hits" compilation, and in my opinion, the best one yet. It spans numerous Sonic games, taking songs from some of the best (Sonic CD) and worst (Shadow the Hedgehog) titles. I think one thing most Sonic fans would agree with is that the music from the games has been overall solid throughout the hedgehog's history. 

I actually listened to this album far more times than I imagined I would. Among my favorite songs are Un-gravify, Dreams of an Absolution (both versions on this album rock) the aforementioned Cosmic Eternity, Waking Up, and E.G.G.M.A.N. Of the 18 tracks on this album, only two of them are non vocal; Sonic3 MegaD Mix, a sound effects style remix of Sonic 3, and the very awesome Theme of E-102y. There are a ton of other popular songs they could have used from Sonic Adventure in place of Theme of E-102y, (My Sweet Passion is also a part of this collection as is a remix of Open Your Heart) but I think they made the right choice. That track has always been one of the best Sonic tunes ever composed. 

Remember the Sonic the Hedgehog animated movie from the '90s? If so, sorry to trudge up bad memories, but a rather obscure, but fan favorite track made it's way to this album and it happens to be from that abomination of a movie. There were three things good about that flick; Sonic yelling "SHUT UP, TAILS!", the kickin' South Island track and the ending theme, Look-a-like. Regrettably, South Island is absent from this collection, but a short version of Look-a-like is here. To my knowledge, this is the first time Look-a-like has ever seen an album release. Pity the full version isn't here, but we'll take what we can get.

I really can't say there are any bad songs on this album, but there are some songs I'm in less favor of like Lazy Days and maybe the remix of Open Your Heart, but it's not like either of those songs make me cringe when I listen to them. Far from it. They just aren't my bag. Personally, I think this is the best collection of vocal Sonic tracks and maybe even the best compilation Sonic album. Recommended for any and all Sonic fans.

4.5/5

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