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Soundbytes

Written by Dan Callahan


Soundtracks: Great Marketing, Great Music (Sometimes)

In the last year, the suits in corporate America seem to have discovered a great way to make mony on the same thing twice. Put out a movie. Then put out a soundtrack, with songs either from and/or inspired by the film. By putting together two great loves of America, movies and music, the companies can increase their profits rather ingeniously if done well. Especially in the post-Titanic era, where both the film and soundtrack captured the tops of their respective charts for long stretches of time, this strategy has proven even more valuable.

And the strategy has paid off rather well this summer, as soundtracks are again dominating the charts. Now we'll take a look at some of the soundtracks of the summer, and any impact they've had on the music scene.

City of Angels

Agh!  Chick Flick!

Quick Film Recap: Nicolas Cage gives up immortality for brief and fleeting love. How sickeningly sweet.

Marketing Angle: Take some artists who haven't released new material in a while but are planning on releasing albums later in the year. Have them be played to death on the radio.

The Scoop: From a marketing perspective, things couldn't have worked out better for this album. Based on the power of the new hit singles from Alanis Morrisette ("Uninvited") and the Goo Goo Dolls ("Iris"), this CD has shot to the top of the charts and looks like it will enjoy high overall sales. Throw in a few other high-profile artists, and this was practically destined to sell.

While I haven't given the full CD a listen (and have no plans to), I can mention my one large musical problem with this CD. "Iris," the big runaway hit from this CD, has me severely disappointed in the Goo Goo Dolls. The song sounds a little too suspiciously like "Name," their big hit from A Boy Named Goo. I have been looking forward to the new CD for some time, but now I have some doubts. Why? Nothing else on A Boy Named Goo sounds anything like "Name," yet this new song does. I am now deathly afraid that the Goo Goo Dolls have sold out by completely changing their sound. Please, don't let it be so.

Ironically, a line in "Name" goes like this: "A tired song keeps playing on a tired radio." Tell me about it.

Better than the movie?: Unless my girlfriend forces me to watch it, I hope to never find out.

Godzilla

How do they give a giant lizard a liposuction?

Quick Film Recap: Giant lizard wrecks Manhattan.

Marketing Angle: Take the biggest artist in music today, throw him together with a classic rock 'n roller, and worry about the other songs later.

The Scoop: Again, another great marketing shot. Puff Daddy, for better or worse, pretty much guarantees sales these days. And, I almost hate to say this, but the song actually isn't bad. Of course, that's mainly because of the great guitar work by Jimmy Page, along with the whole orchestra action going on in the song. This new version of "Kashmir" works pretty well, but it would work better if they just kept Puffy from singing during the song.

Of course, for those of us who care, we need more than just one song of quality before we buy an album. Ben Folds Five delivers another solid song both musically and lyrically, and the Godzilla remix of Green Day's "Brain Stew" is pretty funky. These songs and some decent work by a few of the other artists make it a decent purchase, as long as you're willing to skip over the weak attempt at "Heroes" by the Wallflowers, and Jamiroquai's once again less-than-stellar (I'm being euphemistic here) work.

Question: What happens when corporate executives try to throw a soundtrack album together at the last minute because they were too busy fawning over Puffy?

Answer: Rage Against the Machine gets a song on the album. But not just any song. "No Shelter" is the real keeper on the entire CD. And this song is just brilliantly placed on the album too. You just know that somebody wasn't paying attention when a song that talks about "the thin line between entertainment and war" gets on the soundtrack to the most-hyped movie of the year.

Better than the movie?: Hell yeah! And if it wasn't, then the CD would really suck, considering how bad the movie was.

Meet the Deedles

previews of this make me glad I don't have kids to take this to

Quick Film Recap: Two bungling brothers go through mishaps and misadventures.

Marketing Angle: Ska.

The Scoop: Well, going into this thing, they pretty much knew that this album wouldn't sell huge. Ska just isn't mainstream enough. But that can be a very freeing experience. It means they can do whatever they want, and not feel guilty about it.

Actually, this CD is very strong. It's one of the first soundtracks I've seen that has a set theme and/or angle (Batman and Robin came close last summer, but it featured some decidedly non-Modern Rock artists on the album that make half the CD skip-worthy).

A basic breakdown of this CD is: if you like ska, you'll like this album. If you don't, you won't. Plain and simple. However, the CD also eliminates a decent portion of the ska-listening population by featuring songs that can already be found on the artists' own CDs. Still, there are enough new songs here to tempt even the listener who has the majority of the albums. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have a new song, "Wrong Thing Right Then," which is tough to swallow at first, but it grew on me after a few listens. The Dancehall Crashers are back in fine form with "Lady Luck." Save Ferris contributes some of their own style with "For You." Disappointingly for me, the weakest song on here is "Go Where You Go" by Geggy Tah. At first I was excited to see the artist behind "Whoever You Are" back, but then as I was listening to the song, I realized why he had left ska out of the musical repertoire on Sacred Cow. Take into account the songs that appear on other discs, especially if you don't have them (Hepcat and Cherry Poppin' Daddies being most prominent), and this album is a solid purchase.

Better than the movie?: Undoubtedly.

X-Files: Fight the Future

The Truth is out there.  Maybe you'll find out what it is in the sequel.

Quick Film Recap: Take one hit TV show. Stretch length to double its normal size. Add explosions. Popcorn, butter, salt to taste.

Marketing Angle: Dark and mysterious music to complement the movie.

The Scoop: If you get one soundtrack this summer, you would be smart to pick this one up. Hands down, it is by far the best soundtrack musically.

First, there's the great cover of Three Dog Night's "One" by Filter. The way they change the song around, yet still have it work, is incredible. But wait, as they say, there's more! The Cardigans absolutely outdo themselves on this one, with the incredible "Deuce." I wouldn't have thought this dark but brilliant song was within the abilities of the sweet-pop band, yet they somehow pull it off. The result is absolutely spellbinding. Going within a similar who'dathunkit category is Better Than Ezra, with the fabulous "One More Murder." Soul Coughing and X turn in other great performances. Even the lesser-quality songs on this CD are a step above the work of many artists today, with Sarah McLachlan, Tonic, and Foo Fighters, among others, turning in strong efforts. And the Dust Brothers' remix of the X-Files theme is just different enough to catch your attention, while still maintaining much of the original's flavor.

Better than the movie?: Ooh, tough call, but the album comes out on top.


Dan Callahan AKA Speaker4theDead, the ever-vigilant Editor-in-Chief
at the totally skitchin' Jedi Legacy, is still pissed that Godzilla dodges during the movie.
He's supposed to take the missiles head-on, then whomp ass like the big giant lizard he really is.

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