If the movie was pretty poor and disappointing, the same cannot be said for the soundtrack. It’s saving grace, and the only reason, perhaps, that I kept watching the film. From the opening of the perfectly suited Don’t Panic from Coldplay’s Parachutes album, the lyrics accentuate the on-screen darkness at the beginning of the film, and really add much needed atmosphere and emotion.
Next up is The Shins with Caring is Creepy. I hadn’t heard of The Shins before this film, so this was an interesting surprise. Still, although it starts well enough, this particular track sounds very, very Suede like or early Blur. It’s been done before, and better. There’s also the Morrissey-like care free attitude of the vocalist, and throw in a touch of the Cure. It’s complete coincidence that I’ve thrown in British bands only.
Zero 7’s In the Waiting Line is next up, slightly remixed at the beginning taken from their sublime, and beautiful album Simple Things. It’s a stunning album, and this is one of my favourite tracks on the album (review here). Stunning vocals, and gorgeous, chill out music was the perfect choice for the scene where Andrew is tripping out. I highly, highly recommended getting anything by Zero 7 if you like this track.
New Slang is another track by The Shins, and fares better than Caring is Creepy. It still has that clichéd sound, but it’s likeable and lyrically more interesting than their other track. It was rather obvious they would have more than one track on the album, having plugged them in the movie, both by playing their music and mentioning them. I’m guessing it was a favour. They’re not that great, truth be told. But I did say they were more likeable with this number, and it’s true, but again, pick some song from the hippy era and you will have a million songs that sound exactly the same. An average song, unoriginal and does get dull.
Although last track is predictably boring, just like the ending of the film, it’s fitting that the track matches the film in that respect
Do you like Damien Rice? I personally think he’s the most boring artist alive. Or at least one of them, but if you like him, you’ll like this. I like acoustic songs, and this isn’t that bad, but I hate dry, lifeless, monotone tracks like that of Mr Rice. Colin Hay’s I just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You sounds very, very much like Sweetness Follows from REM’s Automatic for the People. Compare them, and the tone, and melody sound very similar. It does go a bit acoustic solo but it’s all so familiar. Not bad, but not great.
Cary Brothers and Blue Eyes – generic American sap? Very much so. It’s not a bad track by any stretch, I’ve heard worse, and certainly better than The Shins but it’s rather predictable and soppy; the sort of music your girlfriend would love you to listen to and hold her tightly, telling her how much you car for her (or in my case, you’d stick on a Megadeth track and tell her what a whore you think she really is). I did find my foot tapping at times, and it does have a catchy tune. Very Counting Crows I think, a different voice, but a similar effect.
Talking of generic, you’ll want to listen to Remy Zero’s Fair. Musically likeable, lyrically boring, vocally repetitive and eventually irritating. I can feel this thumping in the far left of the back of my head, like one of those baby aliens wanting to rip out. It’s an alien though, it’s my brain melting from listening to this song. Very, very dull.
Nick Drake’s One of These Things First is a melodic little number with quirky vocals and a tender, sweetness about it. I’m not a fan of sap, but this is a very nice track, with some gentle acoustic which is both fun and alive accentuated by a voice that is very warm. Unlike that twathead Rice, this is a definitely better song that all his dullness put together. It puts thoughts and images into your head of wide open spaces, of travelling, of being with friends – that feel good, positive factor that artists think is not cool to talk about. Of course the song is about hope, opportunity and regret. It’s a repetitive track, but it didn’t make my brain boil and is a very quaint delightful song.
The next track will seem familiar to most in the UK having heard it on the radio and in adverts. It’s also very similar to other artists that have come from Britain. Thievery Corporation’s Lebanese Blonde is yet another ambient. with flavours of dub, and influences from the world over – the most obvious is the use of the Sitar hailing from India. They’re actually American, which makes the experience of listening to their music doubly interesting and enjoyable, as you’ll not hear bands like this from America very often. Great vocals, great music and a great track. If you like this, you should grab their albums, including Mirror Conspiracy from which this was taken, as well as anything by Kruder & Dorfmeister amongst others.
What can be said about Simon & Garfunkel? They’re legends for creating great music, and this is no exception. Not their best track, but The Only Living Boy in New York is one of the highlights of the album, with its echoing vocals, sedate guitar playing and emotional atmosphere.
Such Great Heightsby Iron and Wine. Good track, very mellow.
Talking of generic, you’ll want to listen to Remy Zero’s Fair. Musically likeable, lyrically boring, vocally repetitive and eventually irritating
Frou Frou are a very, very good group that make very positive, very interesting tracks. When I say positive, I mean good rather than happy as their entire album about love, relationships and so on. It’s all a bit Euro-pop and sometimes bubble gum pop, but it’s done with a European slant and it comes off as accessible and enjoyable rather than irritating and annoying. It’s cool, stylish and has some great tracks. This is the first track of their album Details, and definitely worth a look. They haven’t release a record for a couple of years, but if you don’t mind some trance-lite then this will work for you. Great voice.
Although last track is predictably boring, just like the ending of the film, it’s fitting that the track matches the film in that respect. Bonnie Sommerville’s Winding Road is dull, dull, dull and really not even worth mentioning. I only did so to complete the interview. Ignore though. It’s rubbish.
The strongest tracks are at the start, but this album hits all the right notes (no pun intended) for the most part. It’s a great companion to the film, but moreover, it’s better than the film. There’s plenty here that will fit your moods, as well as provide the discovery of artists you may not have heard of before.
Verdict: Better than most Movie Soundtracks, Garden State is better than the film, and a solid album on its own. Some flaws, but nothing to bring down the mood of the quality. Worth buying