I was handed a CD of MP3s last week; a compilation of digitally captured songs from the incredibly elusive musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, �Once More With Feeling�. No, I’m not going to tell you who did it for me. Suffice it to say that he’s an incredible sweetheart and a perfectionist to the point of obsession, which means that this CD is practically of professional quality, well-balanced, and complete with added bonuses (which I have yet to access). It also means he thinks it isn’t good enough. We love him in spite of this. (Sometimes because of it.)

It�s catchy. Damned catchy. I mean, I knew it was catchy before, because I�ve been humming various selections since I saw it months ago. Now that I have all the songs here, though, and I�ve listened to it two or three times, I can say with all confidence that yes, it�s catchy, as well as actually being completely plot-driven musically. Whedon has created an alarmingly accurate Broadway/Disney/1950s �hey, let�s put on a show!� kind of musical where the lyrics are decent, the musical styles are varied and excellent satires/homage to their genres, and a surprising number of cast members can actually sing.

Buffy is a guilty pleasure for me. Musical expression is an innocent pleasure: while I’m enthusiastic about most kinds of musical expression, I enjoy musicals a lot. To have the two together like this is, well, cool.