Alex Boyd, a talented musician and Rockingjay artist (you can find out more about his music and purchase his songs here), recently sent us his Hunger Games-inspired CD for review (SPOILER ALERT BELOW). Review by Savanna from HGFiresideChat.com and Kate from HungerGamesTrilogy.net. 1.) Favorite song? Savanna: I actually have two favorite songs on the album! One of them is “There’s a Million Eyes,” the other is “Behind.” “There’s a Million Eyes,” which features Peeta musing about his feelings for Katniss and their impending death in the arena, is probably the most emotional song on the album. I like “Behind” because it’s from Gale’s perspective — a perspective I don’t often consider — and paints him in a very sympathetic light. Both songs are absolutely heartbreaking. 2.) Lyrics that you think are most original? Kate: This was such a hard decision! In “I’m Coming For You Now Part 1,” I think the lyrics “I always thought you had an angle, a sinister plan to get you more, I don’t know all the reason why, but it don’t matter anymore,” are really original but also really connect to the person Katniss is at this point in the book. These lyrics convey how Katniss’s distrust towards Peeta was originally because she was going to be competing against him. Now she understands it’s possible to like or even love him and survive, and these lyrics really capture that. 3.) Lyric that you think most represents the book(s)? Savanna: One lyric from the album that I think sort of sums up the entire trilogy is “All I ever wanted was to go back home” from the song “Home in District 12.” The word “home” represents family, comfort, safety, and security: all things that the citizens of Panem value and strive for (just like we do), all things that the Capitol government continually destroys and takes away. By leading the rebellion, Katniss is not only working to overthrow President Snow, end the Hunger Games, and bring peace to Panem, but also giving an entire nation a chance to — in a sense — “go back home.” 4.) Lyrics that were the most thought-provoking and related to the modern world? Kate: I think the lyrics “You push me and I’ll push back” from the song “Tools of the Trade” were the most thought-provoking and related to the modern world. As Katniss sees in Mockingjay, people in wars, no matter whether they win or lose, still suffer much loss. As Gandhi says, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind,” and this song/these lyrics really tie in to that concept, making the listener wonder whether fighting back really makes everything okay, or if there are better ways to change the world. 5.) Do you think any of these songs would be a character’s theme song? Which one and why? Savanna: I think that “You Can Kill Me, But You Can’t Use Me” would make an incredible theme song for Peeta! Peeta is, without a doubt, the most constant character in The Hunger Games (and, I would argue, the strongest). He makes a vow to always stay true to himself — to never lose or forget who he is as a person — and this song represents that mindset perfectly. 6.) What do you think of the title of the CD? Kate: I love the title of the CD. “Hair Ribbons and Rainbows” is the perfect title for Hunger Games-inspired music. This title instantly made me think of Rue, who really represents the reason the Hunger Games themselves are so bad; innocent children who could have changed the world are murdered. However, the CD title also represents her light, and her love for the little things in life. Rue really inspired Katniss through all of the books, and this title is a perfect reminder of that. 7.) What was your first impression of the CD’s cover art? Savanna: The cover art is very simple, but powerful. The girl’s dark silhouette against the backdrop of flames is incredibly striking. I also like the fact that she appears to be breathing fire, as it makes me think of Katniss’s “If we burn, you burn with us!” speech in Mockingjay. 8.) Why do you think original fan music/tribute rock connects so closely with the books? Kate: I think original fan music/tribute rock connects so closely with the books because every single note, every single lyric, was inspired by a character, their relationship, or the plot of the books. Music is typically made from emotions and thoughts, and since this series really spark readers’ emotions and thoughts, music is easily created that jumps the bridge from written book to musical story. 9.) Did listening to this CD make you sad that the book trilogy is over, or were you excited that the movies are still coming up? Savanna: Listening to this CD didn’t make me sad at all! It made me even more excited for the movies and for the growth of the Hunger Games fandom, which is still in its infancy. The Harry Potter fan community is absolutely massive, and I can only hope that someday we Tributes might rival the Potterheads in number (and if not in number, then definitely in spirit!). It’s a real privilege to be able to enjoy Alex Boyd’s album now, as he’s truly at the forefront of what I imagine will be a huge movement someday. There are dozens and dozens — maybe hundreds — of Wizard Rock groups out there, so I’m sure that more Rockingjay artists will start popping up over the next year. This is just the beginning! 10.) Do you think that Alex Boyd could make another Rockingjay CD? Kate: I certainly hope so! He is a great musician and really has a knack for tying the emotions and messages of a book into his songs. If he does make another Hunger Games-inspired CD, I think it would be great if he made an entire CD inspired by Catching Fire or Mockingjay! Thank you so much to Alex Boyd for the materials for this review. Don’t forget to head over to his website www.tlgtunes.com to hear and purchase the entire CD. Have a Twitter account? You can follow Alex Boyd at @tlgtunes. (This review originally appeared on the Hunger Games Trilogy Fansite on September 5, 2011. Used with permission.)