4Play

June 28, 2006

Ben Folds/Rupert Gregson-Williams - Over the Hedge Motion Picture Soundtrack - Sony
This is a cool effort by Folds, as it is by Gregson-Williams (who contributes the score), mainly because most of the songs aren’t merely plucked from Folds’ previous albums, but are written to properly accompany the film. The extra-cool thing is that most of the songs stand alone quite well apart from the film, too - so does Folds have more hits on his hands? The answer is yes. Although a few of the numbers are too short (an extended version of the opener, “Family of Me,” would’ve been most welcome), there are plenty of standouts, among them the pretty “Still,” the zippy “Heist,” and Folds’ take on The Clash’s “Lost in the Supermarket.” There’s also a surprise appearance by Folds’ pal William Shatner, who rants away appealingly on a new version of Folds’ own “Rockin’ the Suburbs.” Couple all of this with Gregson-Williams’ well-written instrumental tracks, and you’re over the hedge with a winner.

Madonna - I’m Going to Tell You a Secret - WEA/Warner Bros.
Madonna’s latest not-really-an-album-but-it-will-sell-tons anyway release is a dual-disc set that features both a CD and a DVD, whose purposes are to document her recent Re-Invention World Tour, although it will do an equally good job of turning your basement into a disco, especially if you’ve got an old disco ball lying around. Audio tracks here are pretty much a selected set of familiar hits that include the more recent “American Life,” “Hollywood,” “Die Another Day,” “Music,” plus Madonna retro hits “Holiday,” and “Into the Groove,” while the accompanying DVD is a well-rounded documentary of that aforementioned tour, complete with behind-the-scenes footage. No matter what you think of Maddie and her music, what you can’t deny is that she remains the unchallenged, much-accomplished, and not-slowing-down-anytime-soon Queen of Pop.

Hanz Zimmer - The Da Vinci Code Motion Picture Soundtrack - Decca Records
Well, the jury’s still out on the effectiveness of the movie, but the accompanying soundtrack, by the always-reliable Hans Zimmer, is at least something you’ll be able to take away without too many questions. It’s a quieter, less forthright, and more serious score than Zimmer usually contributes to Hollywood productions, but it still definitely suits the feel of the film. The score ranges from stirring and anticipatory to thoughtful and near-spiritual, especially given Zimmer’s inclusion of a choir on such tracks as “Malleus Maleficarum” and “Salvete Virgines” - soprano Hila Plitmann also contributes some spooky, beautiful vocals to the composition “Poisoned Chalice” to great effect. There are also several recurring musical themes here that help to make the album, as a whole, a cohesive and impressive listen.

Various Artists - Cars Motion Picture Soundtrack
Disney Pixar teams up with Disney for this movie, which stars an anthropomorphic car and, of course, teaches the values of friendship - the accompanying soundtrack, also of course, features a score again by Randy Newman plus a series of equally-friendly pop songs that make for a fun, peppy listen. Among the tracks that stand out are the Chuck Berry version of the oh-so-appropriate “Route 66,” a new Rascal Flatts version of early ‘90s radio hit “Life is a Highway,” and Sheryl Crow’s well-produced and super-catchy “Real Gone,” which should be heard taking over car radios any day now. Newman’s score fits the bill, too, from the tuba-bluesa of “Bessie” to the racing-car mood-makers “Opening Race” and “The Big Race” - plus another of Newman’s nostalgia numbers, “Our Town,” as translated here by the subtle, mellow tones of Mr. James Taylor.