The Road to El Dorado
Apparently, if you ask Elton John to provide songs for the soundtrack to your movie, you'll get more than you bargained for. In this case, much more. Only 5 of the 11 tracks are used in this animated film about 2 swindlers searching for gold in 16th-century Spain, meaning 6 bonus cuts are featured here. John again collaborated with lyricist Tim Rice, who worked on last year'sAidaand 1994'sLion King. There are the trademark piano ballads ("Friends Never Say Goodbye," "Queen of Cities") and uptempo piano rockers ("16th Century Man"), but many of the tracks feature island rhythms and some unusually futuristic effects ("Trust Me"). One particular highlight is a humorous duet withRandy Newmanon "It's Tough to Be a God." Three additional cuts from the movie's score by Hans Zimmer and John Powell finish the album with cinematic flair.--Rob O'Connor