Well everyone’s favourite combination of ogre and donkey is back for the second instalment this season, and it’s certainly causing a sensation! The first movie saw Shrek, the lovable ugly ogre, fall in love with Princess Fiona. So we all know how the movies go, and of course Shrek wins the Princess and they live happily ever after. Or do they? We thought that was the case until the sequel came along and showed us that even life as a royal has its moments.

The journey of Fiona, the ever-present Donkey and Shrek to meet his new in-laws is one event-filled start to married life! Along with a great cast who fit the roles superbly, including Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Rupert Everett, Jennifer Saunders, Julie Andrews and John Cleese, the soundtrack has what appears to be some carefully selected tracks and only adds to the overall brilliance that is Shrek 2.

In the company of Counting Crows, David Bowie, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and the Eels, are the likes of Dashboard Confessional, Lipps, Inc, Pete Yorn and Joseph Arthur. Accidentally In Love is an upbeat tune in the flair that defines the Counting Crows. Frou Frou give us a quirky version of Holding Out For A Hero and Changes by Butterfly Boucher featuring David Bowie is a nice collaboration exploring old school prowess with an unmarked, fresh new talent. Rockers Dashboard Confessional convey an avid testament to love with As Lovers Go and Lipps. Inc’s Funkytown was always going to work well with the comedic script.

I’m On My Way from Rick Price and Ever Fallen In Love from Pete Yorn are the dramatic addition to the compilation, along with You’re So True from Joseph Arthur. They give a more serious edge to moments during the film that are seemingly directed towards the adult inside of us all, and they provide a significant impact. I found though, that listening to them on the album, well I just flicked to the next track. And like all good animated flicks, the soundtrack almost always features a track or two of original material from the characters themselves. With Shrek 2 these come in the form of Fairy Godmother Song by Jennifer Saunders and Livin’ La Vida Loca by Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas. Jennifer Saunders casts a spell over any girl who has ever wanted to be a princess in her own fairytale and Livin’ La Vida Loca is a fantastic take on the initial version. Eddie Murphy (Donkey) and Antonio Banderas (the butt-kicking feline Puss In Boots) are a class act as they transport us into the middle of a Latin fiesta!

The wickedly seductive Little Drop of Poison from Tom Waits is the first of two highlights from the album. A little sinister for the movie, it is unique in both its lyrical content and style, thus the consequential appeal. And finally, a little gem called I Need Some Sleep from the Eels is a beautifully crafted track unrivalled by any other on there. It shines as a soul-bearing ballad that just screams out to be the tear-jerker.