If you’re into heavy rock of the tuneful kind then this movie album should be on your shopping list. The previous Transformer album was a cracker with a selection of the best rock bands on earth playing some of their best songs. The formula here is the same although it’s a lot more ‘radio-friendly.’

It opens with Linkin Park and ‘New Divide’ which is arguably not one of the band’s best songs but no doubt suits the movie. Green Day’s ‘21 Guns’ is next and is a dream of a song which of course comes from the band’s latest and greatest album. Cavo is a band I have not heard before but ‘Let It Go’ is one of the best songs here, and goes firmly down the pop-rock route, with choruses that will get you out of your chair quick-smart. Taking Back Sunday contribute ‘Capital M-E’ which is a brand new song and will keep you out of that chair with some of the best guitar riffs on the album.

The Fray’s ‘Never Say Never’ is a slow-moving, thoughtful beauty of a pop-rock song which hints at a degree of romance in the movie. Nickleback adds a glorious heavy rock tune with the bass-driven, powerfully rhythmic ’Burn It To The Ground’ and if the other songs didn’t get you out of your cosy seat, this mutha will… The Used offer up their cracking single ‘Burning Down The House’ which is one of the heaviest punk rock songs I have ever heard. Theory Of A Deadman provide romantic and melodic respite with ‘Not meant To Be’ while The All-American Rejects provide a traditional slice of heavy rock with the threatening and dark ‘Real World.’

Hoobastank contributes their classic radio-friendly, romantic rocker ‘I Don’t Think I Love You’ and Staind chip in with ‘This Is It’ to beef up the second half of this excellent rock compilation. Avenged Sevenfold is also here with with the rampant metal of ‘Almost Easy’ and Cheap Trick completes the album with ‘Transformers: The Fallen Remix’ which is amazing as it morphs from a spaced-out electronic ambience to an out-and-out rocker - my pick of the album.

Movie soundtracks offer top sound quality and this one is no exception. Songs are diverse in pace and mood, while strong melody lies at the heart of this vivid selection. Great!

4/5