Posted on: November 3, 2007 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

OST: Heartbreak Kid / 2007 Plan R / 14 Tracks / http://www.heartbreakkidmovie.com /

For those that do not know, The Heartbreak Kid is the latest movie from the Farrelly Brothers (who are known for such “classics” as There’s Something About Mary, Me, Myself and Irene, and Dumb and Dumber). Despite the fact that these aren’t even their “bad” movies (that honor goes to Shallow Hal and Fever Pitch), the brothers two know their indie music. The soundtrack for The Heartbreak Kid contains tracks by indie rock darlings Ozomatli and The Flaming Lips, and previous alt-superstar Matthew Sweet. Two David Bowie tracks make it onto the disc as well (“Suffragette City” and “Ashes To Ashes”, but the rest of the disc’s fourteen cuts are by individuals that may not be known by the average individual (Buva, Amy Levere and The Weepies).

Other acts present are known by their previous works with other acts; John Alagia has worked previously with John Maher and the Dave Matthews Band, while World Party was formed from the ashes of The Waterboys by Karl Wallinger. Taken as a whole, the songs that are on this soundtrack paint a shifting mood that moves from a current pop rock style (The Weepies, John Alagia) to something that takes its influence from an earlier style of rock (Bowie, Brian Hyland). Other directions are taken; the Latin sounds of Julieta Venegas does not fit into either camp, while the duet between Sweet and former Bangle Susanna Hoffs represents a marrying together of the disparate elements previously present on this soundtrack. None of these tracks (save for the Bowie songs) have been imprinted on the American psyche through previous affiliations with movies, television, or other appropriations of their sound. This means that this soundtrack strikes boldly forward and does not creating dissonance between its use of a track and the track’s prior use in a different media form.

The Heartbreak Kid may not be the strongest of movies, but one simply cannot say the same about the soundtrack that is attached to it. The appropriateness of this soundtrack may vary based on what forms of music one likes, but the blend of rock, alt, and indie music will ensure that a large subset of the music-listening public will be able to find something that they can appreciate on this album. Give the disc a go if you like new tracks by established acts, songs by unknown acts, or a complex interplay of styles and sounds.

Top Tracks: Buva / She Makes Me Fall Down , Ozomatli / After Party

Rating: 6.5/10

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