GLEE Encore

The saturation of "Glee" continues with the release of "Glee: Encores," a special DVD that includes 34 of the musical performances from Season One on one disc. Since this is essentially the special feature, there are no extras here, just performance after performance from TV's most frustrating and compelling show.

Standouts include: "Don't Stop Believin" from the pilot episode, as well as Chris Colfer and Lea Michele's duet/duel of "Defying Gravity." The fun mash-ups are here ("It's My Life/Confessions Part II," "Any Way You Want It/Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'") as well as some of the goofier performances ("Run Joey Run," "Bad Romance.")

This is a fun disc that basically gets to the good stuff without worrying about dramatic tension and misguided storylines, but the one fault is that some of the performances come off a bit awkward when watched without the show's point of reference. Lea Michele's "On My Own" is only part of the song and half is cut with the Cheerio's making fun of her. As a stand-a-lone musical number, it isn't very compelling. Her take on "Don't Rain On My Parade" makes up for it though; displaying every bit of talent that girl has inside of her. (Even when she is forever clenching her eyes and contorting her face as if she is physically in pain when she sings.)

For those that want to skip the drama and get right to the dramatics, this collection is for you. It's too bad they didn't include every single performance from Season One to make a really complete collection, but that might make people skip buying the Season sets altogether. Instead, we get an enjoyable K-Tel Greatest Hits collection that's fun at parties. Or on the TV at a gay bar.

GLEE: ENCORES
DVD
$26.98
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