The Hollywood concept shorthand for Todd Graff"s semi-autobiographical musical comedy may be Fame-meets-Meatballs, but the film (nominated for the Grand Jury prize at the "03 Sundance Film Festival) has an energetic musical heart all its own. The original songs of Michael Gore (the original Fame) and Lynn Ahrens (Schoolhouse Rock, the Broadway adaptation of Ragtime) revolve around poles of upbeat gospel fervor ("Here"s Where I Stand," "How Shall I See You Through My Tears") and introspective ballads ("I Sing For You"), while the score"s choice of covers initially echo those concerns via Todd Rundgren"s "The Want of a Nail" and the Stones" "Wild Horses," respectively. But the teen-voiced covers of Sondheim"s middle-age missive "The Ladies Who Lunch" and Bacharach/David"s loopy "Turkey Lurkey Time" also underscore its youthful sense of anything-goes abandon. The pop songs that round out the collection are a well-chosen and emotionally sympatico lot, especially the Replacements" "Skyway", the Wonder Stuff"s "The Size of a Cow" and even Warren Wiebe"s weepy ballad "I Believe in Us." This enhanced CD features include behind the scenes footage, film trailer, cast photos, and bios. --Jerry McCulley