Record Release Rundown: The Latest 'Hunger Games' Soundtrack, Jake Bugg, Daughtry

Nov. 24, 2013 -- intro: This is yet another slow release week in a period that should normally be booming. A week away from Black Friday and we have reviews for the soundtrack to "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," plus the second album of the year from young British singer/songwriter, Jake Bugg. Also, the latest from trumpeting legend, Herb Alpert, who is joined by his wife, Lani Hall. Plus, a new album from Daughtry and a remix EP from recently resurrected trip-hop act, Ruby.

quicklist: 1title: "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Deluxe Edition) ***text: Like the "Twilight" movie soundtracks, the soundtrack "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," is lovingly yet meticulously targeted. (And no, I didn't mean that to be an archery pun.) The record consists of top tier artists handing in tracks to fill a collection that will hopefully capitalize on the brand that the books and the movies themselves established. But, inevitably, these collections are only as good as what these big names supply.

In the case of Coldplay, we are left with the extremely sleepy and dreadfully uninteresting "Atlas," which should have remained on their B-side pile and shouldn't be the anchoring establishing beginning of a blockbuster soundtrack. Chris Martin and company are sorely in need of a reinvention if they plan to regain the classic status they earned from their first two albums. Considering, their last album, "Mylo Xyloto" was a colossal disappointment, the drab nature of "Atlas" doesn't provide them the return to greatness they need.

Of Monsters and Men's "Silhouettes" goes for the same tone as the Coldplay track, but with better execution. When their track builds, it leads somewhere.

The collection's first inspired moment comes with the collaboration between Sia, The Weeknd and Diplo, on the bouncy "Elastic Heart." This should've been the soundtrack's main target track. It has the feel of an anthemic movie theme and yet it sounds like a hit, as well. And given the fact that Sia is gaining steam from her work behind the scenes, co-writing Rihanna's hit "Diamonds" among others, it makes her even more poised for a big pop explosion whenever she releases her next album.

The National's "Lean" continues their growth and stands up well alongside their excellent record, "Trouble Will Find Me" from earlier this year. As time goes on, they are getting to be a more tuneful band with intriguing layers of nuance.

Christina Aguilera delivers the appealing pop track, "We Remain." Compared with the artists on the rest of the tracklist, Aguilera might seem out of place and not "alternative" enough, but this track fits in surprisingly well in the set. Again, this could also be a hit.

The Weeknd returns with the softly building, R&B stirrer, "Devil May Cry." Abel Tesfaye's voice remains a high, silky flexible instrument and he continues to expertly place it against wonderfully ominous backdrops.

Imagine Dragons' "Who We Are" is a marching band lament. It has its interesting elements, but it doesn't demand a second listen.

Lorde tackles Tears For Fears' classic, "Everybody Wants To Rule The World," turning the sunny original into something dark and threatening. It's a minor key turn, trading the optimism of the original for something more foreboding. This provides yet another reason why Lorde is really someone to watch.