A few comments on the Once More, With Feeling soundtrack:

1. No sound effects present on the tracks - good for hearing the song, but distracting in the case of "Going Though the Motions" (no sword sounds or stake-poofing noise) "What You Feel" (can't hear the tapping from Sweet's dance during the song), and "I've Got A Theory/Bunnies/If We're Together" (cricket chirping noises lost in response to Anya's "It could be bunnies" line).

2. Song that was most improved over the live version - "Rest In Peace". The rock nstrumentation really stood out and fit JM's vocals better than could be heard on TV.

3. Song that suffered the most in transition from the TV show to the soundtrack album - "Walk Through the Fire"/"Standing" (tie) - both suffered in that instrumentation overwhelmed the vocals (a crime in ASH's case). "Walk Through the Fire" seemed to have different instrumentation than in the original.

4. Most emotional moment (for me, at least) - the opening three piano notes from "Sacrifice", the bit from "The Gift" that was included on this collection. sniff.

I agree that "Rest in Peace" is the most improved on the new soundtrack. I was also very moved by "The Sacrifice."

And the music from Hush? - - very scary.

Song most improved on the CD?

"The Parking Ticket Song."

Absolutely - - you could hear the whole thing.

The music from The Gift is just heartbreaking. I remember when they played a bit of it in last year's opener, I teared up just hearing it!

Note to Self - Do NOT let Mejia talk you into buying this one...

Don't worry, DX. I have the new issue, and you have nothing to worry about. I will only say this until Sunday - The Scourge is on the art cover. That should be enough to help anyone decide whether or not to buy the book.

[Edit - Grammar.]

re: OMWF - it sounds like they rerecorded the whole thing - understandably, to get rid of the SFX from the ep - which would be OK except that a) some of the background music is noticeably different - the twiddly little guitar bit in "Standing" (under "But now I understand") is gone, which I particularly liked, and also the tempo of the first fast part of "Give Me Something To Sing About" appears to be off or something, maybe this is how Joss originally wanted it, but I liked the episode version better, and b) the vocal performances are not as good in some cases (NB's part in "I'll Never Tell"; the "I know/I should go" part of "Rest In Peace" sounds off to me). But the backing instrumentation for the most part is much better in terms of mixing & volume, etc., so I'm torn. I wish I could remix it using the best parts of both.

Also the fact that I only have a downloaded (bootleg) copy right now may have something to do with it. I am going to buy it but do not want to pay $18.99 at HMV, so will probably order online for $11 or so.

My OWMF hasn't showed. Dammit.

A friend of mine got a copy of the Buffy novel guidelines. In case you were wondering why tie-ins are so bland:

CONTINUITY:

Our series currently takes place in an alternate sixth season storyline. That is:

--Buffy has recently returned from the dead and is still adjusting to life.

--Buffy’s mother Joyce is dead

--Riley is gone, as is Giles.

--Anya is a vengeance demon again, but not practicing. She and Xander are barely speaking.

--Spike and Buffy are not “together”, though there is lots of tension.

--Dawn is an innocent pawn, for whom Buffy feels tremendous love and maternal instinct; they still behave like sisters from time to time.

--Spike is moping around with a chip in his head and a soft spot for Buffy, but doing his part to fight—only because he likes to fight and he can only fight the bad guys right now.

--Buffy had dropped out of college to take care of Dawn and earn a living; Buffy was a good college student in the end and sort of misses it; talks about going back.

--Willow is a powerful Wicca who occasionally flirts with the Dark Side of majicks. She and Tara broke up over this, though they all still run into and talk to Tara.

--Angel (along with Faith, Cordelia and Wesley) is not in these stories, but may be referred to.

Note: Violating this continuity is only done by express permission of the editor. A first-time Buffy author should not submit a proposal based on a different continuity. Send a query letter first.