Garden State Soundtrack REVIEW
Garden State [Soundtrack] REVIEW: A-
I've actually had this CD for quite awhile, I think since last August or September or so -- haven't really been keeping up with reviews -- Actually, I find it curious that I possess it seeing how I really didn't like the movie a great deal
Since it's mainstream popularity continues to grow -- I thought that I would write something about my impressions of it -- Overall, this is a nice mix of music, like a mix tape of some of today's largely under the radar alt music, with some older stuff sprinkled in
It all begins with another showcase piece by Coldplay -- where do they get all these wonderful musical ideas from?
If you have seen the movie, you get the references to The Shins -- you know, like sharing good new music with someone -- The Shins' Caring is Creepy is on here, and it reminds of the goodness that was Suede -- the other track, New Slang is the current single -- it is a nice little folksy pop number, actually reminds of some Kinks songs --what is folk? this has a tamborine -- Ok, I don't really know too much about folky -- but the track has a catchy quality to it that is listenable
And of course, one of my favorite DJ ensembles ZERO 7 has perhaps the best track on the CD -- In the Waiting Line -- the simple electric piano, plaintive smoldering female vox, and quiet mellow jazzy beats -- awesome
okay, so who remembers Colin Hay -- if you said Mr. Men at Work vocals guy -- yeah, that's him -- GS S/T has a really neat melancholy acoustic ballad from him, I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You, from several years back -- it's a really surprising track from a thought gone source, very enjoyable song
Cary Brothers lay out a nice acoustic ballad that grows on you with repeated listens -- it's not subtle, in fact it's a very straightforward longing ballad -- the Remy Zero track is another alty acoustic ballad that grows on you, this one is more of the power variety with the rising bridge to chorus, sounds like something that could get radioplay on a station locally on STAR
The Nick Drake song is listenable enough, just not really memorable, or for that matter, replayable -- although I understand its value to the movie for its mood and tone qualities
Thievery Corporation has Lebanese Blonde on this one -- they are one of my other favorite DJ ensembles -- very cool track, good beats, similar in style and tone to SBL -- smoldery, loungey, and chill
The Simon and Garfunkel track is listenable -- fits in with the S/T as a mood or tone piece -- there's something to this track that is cool, some kind of it factor -- something that raises above the similar Nick Drake track
Iron and Wine's Such Great Heights is another acoustic folky ballad -- see the theme here? I knew you could -- there seems to be a movement in current alt music towards subdued whispery slow acoustic ballads -- it is largely hit and miss -- this one is included as a mood and tone piece for the movie, apart from the movie -- it's a good atm piece for playing as chill music, otherwise I wouldn't imagine someone totally loving it -- it's good enough, tolerable
It seems like we've been running across a lot of Frou Frou tracks in S/Ts -- lately Shrek -- this one is another great one from FF, nice little electro piece, reminds of the style of Venus Hum with airy Sarah M. vox -- great track
It all wraps with a nice track from Bonnie Somerville -- just a well put together song, radio friendly -- uplifting pop rocks track
This one is a nice CD, it comes highly recommended
Oh, and this is the first CD that I have owned that has the FBI Anti-Piracy Warning -- or perhaps I haven't been paying attention -- so although you can rip it to your HD with no problem, don't share it -- that's my PSA for the day -- boy, it feels good to do your public service LOL