Posted on: September 11, 2007 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

OST: Kyle XY / 2007 ABC Family / 14 Tracks / http://www.myspace.com/kylexy

I know that a lot of individuals are really into Kyle XY. I never got to watch the show because it didn’t seem like something that would be too terribly interesting to me, and I didn’t even have cable until last month. Regardless, the disc has a who’s who of solid indie rock, alternative rock, and emo bands. Earlimart, OAR, Mates of State, Sherwood, and Kate Voegele all represent individuals and groups that have garnered some serious media attention, the presence of these individuals only will help relative newcomers like Mariana’s Trench, Sean Hayes, In-Flight Safety, and April Matson.

The 88’s “Hide Another Mistake” blends together a sixties type of pop sound (think “Green Tamborine”) with a more current alternative rock sound (think OK Go). Despite the fact that Earlimart has likely not had much in the way of contact with The 88, their “Nevermind The Phonecalls” continues the very hip and catchy type of indie rock sound for this soundtrack. In-Flight Safety has crafted for themselves during “Surround” a sound that blends together Coldplay and U2, to the point that I really thought that the track was coming from one of those two acts. The only thing that distinguishes them from those acts is the incorporation of a little bit more electronic sound. Continuing along with the electronic influence is Irving’s “I’ll Write The Song, You Sing For Me”.

The individuals that put together this album knew exactly how to weave a narrative through distinct tracks, and it is this attention to details that makes the tracks much stronger than their constituent parts. Irving’s track is the first high point during this soundtrack. This is not to say that the rest of the tracks on this soundtrack were weak, but they did not shine nearly as brightly as the Irving song. OAR’s track breaks any rut that the disc was in, and replaces it with the same general jam band sound that they are known for. The track goes back to the indie rock meets cold, calculating synthesizer with Cimber’s “Bug Bear”. The slight breaks in the overall tone of the disc ensures that individuals will be able to stick with the disc throughout all of its’ cuts. Check out the Kyle XY CD if you want to hear some new acts, and be taken away on the current brand of indie rock that is all the rage in college circles.

Mates of State “So Many Ways”, Irving “I’ll Write The Song”

Rating: 6.8/10

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