Rating:

n anticipation of the “Iron Man 3” movie premiere this Friday, iTunes has recently released an album of tracks inspired by the motion picture. This collaborative, multi-genre compilation features popular artists AWOLNATION, Walk the Moon, Imagine Dragons, Passion Pit, Neon Trees and 3OH!3, to name a few. In keeping with the spirit of the film, the songs pack a punch with hard hitting rock riffs and electronic beats.

Walk the Moon’s song “Big Bad Wolves,” which is featured second on the album, ripples with their trademark synth, but tests much darker waters in terms of the subject matter. I was surprised to find them on the track list, considering Walk the Moon typically writes sunny, care-free anthems like hits “Anna Sun” and “Me and All My Friends,” but the band proves their versatility with this new track. Imagine Dragons, whose successful album “Night Visions” encompasses everything from the upbeat track “It’s Time” to the apocalyptic “Radioactive,” revisits their dark side on the Iron Man 3 album with “Ready Aim Fire.” Peppered with heavy base beats, the song creates visions of a world at war, with a fighter unwilling to surrender.

Passion Pit stays true to their upbeat nature with their patriotically titled track, “American Blood.” This song dazzles with synth and electric keyboard, as well as lead singer Michael Angelakos’ stunning vocal range. Neon Trees also chimes in with a song that captures their signature sound: “Some Kind of Monster” is a toe-tapping, rock-and-roll fifties-esque time warp of a track that is sure to be a hit with new and loyal fans alike.

“Iron Man 3: Heroes Fall (Music Inspired by the Motion Picture)” is also available for digital download and physical CD purchase from Amazon. Just be sure you’re not searching for the movie soundtrack, which will take you to the film’s music score. The soundtrack is also epic, but you won’t be able to sing along. Unless, of course, you’re into “singing the instruments.”