The album is an excellent representation of the music from the movie, which was written by Alan Menken. In case you're not familiar with his work, here's a resume: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Hercules. Excepting that last one, they are excellent musicals all. Home on the Range isn't as good as, say, Mermaid, Beast, or Aladdin, but it's as good as all of the others (and way better than Hercules).

The songs are excellent, with "Little Patch of Heaven" being the best of the lot. k.d. lang's performance of that song is excellent, as is Randy Quaid's on the yodel song. Even better is the score, which has a very rich feel to it and is one of the best Menken has yet provided for Disney. If you have enjoyed his previous Disney films, then I think this soundtrack is a solid purchase for you.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:


A Little Golden Nugget  Apr 23, 2004 By Bruce Aguilar
This is that rare Disney Animated Feature Soundtrack that is best appreciated apart from the visuals in the film. When I first saw HOME ON THE RANGE in the theatre, my disappointment in the story and characterizations negatively affected my appreciation of the music. But since I can't have an incomplete collection of Disney soundtracks, I bought the CD anyways. Now I find myself listening to this music daily.

Alan Menken has written an exciting and tender score for HOME ON THE RANGE and his compositions are my favorite aspect of this soundtrack. Cue up "On The Farm" and listen how he weaves multiple themes together. The lyrics by Glen Slater are very good for the most part, but I wont fault him for some of my complaints because he keeps things right in line with the style of the story. Music and lyrics gel perfectly though on "Little Patch of Heaven" (sung perfectly by kd lang and my favorite track) and "Will the Sun Ever Shine Again" a ballad that seemed trite in the film but is far more engaging on it's own. "Wherever the Trail May Lead" by Tim McGraw is preformed a bit too country-popish for my tastes, but the melody and lyrics are strong and he manages to rope things in before he loses control. The Beu Sisters aren't nearly as successful with their version of "Anytime You Need a Friend" which sounds like every other teeny pop group ever heard. Menken's version of the same song takes a more emotional approach, which works much better for the song, but Menken's voice can't convey the emotion he is trying to achieve.

If you didn't care for the music in HOME ON THE RANGE when you saw the film, give it another chance, you'll probably be as surprised as I was when listening to this CD for the first time. You don't have to be a fan of country music to enjoy this surprising soundtrack.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


I know a place pretty as pie...  Nov 19, 2005 By J Burke "cookbook connoisseur"
I think the music is why I like the movie so much. It is fun and entertaining and "Patch of Heaven" puts me in a good mood as I listen to it just before I go into work. Who doesn't need that? Admittedly, I only listen regularly to the first six or seven tracks (they are the ones with lyrics with the exception of the last song but I don't care for that version) but I still love this CD.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


Beautiful Classic Disney  Nov 16, 2005 By Jovita R. Ramos
Just listening to the music and watching the movie makes me think about how the Walt Disney Company use to make their movies like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and 101 Dalmations.

I thought the movie was just as spirited and charming as those older Disney classics. Sure it's no Lion King or Beauty and the Beast, but it's as good as any other Disney classic I saw as a child growing up with those films. Even the songs are pure disney magic with "Little Patch of Heaven" which is pure sunshine. Randy Quaid's yodeling is a hoot, Bonnie Raitt does a wonderful job with "Will the Sun Ever Shine Again?" I also enjoy Tim McGraw's song of "Wherever the Trail May Lead" and "Anytime You Need a Friend" sung by Alan Menken. Sometimes those two songs make me cry my heart out. If you like country or old-fashioned disney music, then you'll pretty much enjoy the songs and score on this soundtrack.

3 of 3 found the following review helpful:


Beautiful music!  May 25, 2004 By aznative
The music from "Home on the Range" was much more than I expected! I loved the songs, especially the ones sung by kd lang and Tim McGraw.

Kd lang's voice is so beautiful and lilting in "Little Patch of Heaven," and it fits extremely well with the feel of this film. McGraw also does a great job with his sensitive performance of "Wherever the Trail May Lead," played during the film's credits.

Alan Menken deserves a lot of credit for this creative and funny soundtrack. Even though this movie was overlooked and not incredibly popular at the box office, the music deserves some awards! I loved the movie and the music.

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