Music and Lyrics Soundtrack : A mis - match compilation (Music and Lyrics - Soundtrack)

Member Name: blades1071

Product:	Music and Lyrics - Soundtrack
Date:	25/05/09 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some great musical talent

Disadvantages: A couple of weaker tracks

Music and Lyrics is one of those musical type films which seems to incorporate songs intelligently, without sounding 'set up'. Maybe I can elaborate a little. Should you have seen a common musical film, you may, like me, feel a little let down by the realism when each and every one of the cast members suddenly join together and sing the same song as if they have just thought of it there and then. It just doesn't flow as being right for me. This film however, manages to incorporate the songs to a fashion that does actually flow along with the storyline. Sung in appropriate conditions, they certainly add to the making of a great film.

It was unfortunate that I was not able to see this film at the cinema, but watched it soon after DVD release at a friend's house. It was this friend that first introduced me to the soundtrack to this film. After numerous car journeys with this apparently allowed to be played in a fully heterosexual car, I decided that I should have my own copy.

The songs are actually not bad, quite talented renditions in fact, but it is really not something I can say I listen to that often. If it were to come on my iPod, more often than not I can be found skipping to the next track, and I do not listen to it on my home CD player that much really. Still, if I was to dig it out of the dust laden crevices, I would call it a great source of entertainment for the time being.

Track one is a song which reminds me completely of some horrendous 80's pop failure, yet it is one of those songs which lend their ways to being so bad it is actually good, if you get what I mean. Pop! Goes My Heart is almost a lively song with interesting chord sounds and drum beats throughout. There is also the enjoyable addition of a random 'electro' feeling mixed into the middle part of the song. Due to the opening statement, I don't really think it cannot be taken seriously, so I would say this is not the best song on the album by any means.

The second track is a much better, joyous and lively piece from Haley Bennet, who is one of the leading actors in the film. This gives off an Indian music vibe, and is very upbeat in doing so. She has a great voice and expresses it well, to add almost an ounce of 'power' to the otherwise calming music.

Hugh Grant took singing lessons before making this film, and I can safely say they paid off. Meaningless Kiss is the third track which is a song lending itself to soothing music, with gentle lyrics. Although you can tell a professional probably did not sing this, it is possible to notice that Grant put a lot of effort into this, and gave it a good go. A little too slow for my upmost enjoyment, though a talented piece of music.

Haley Bennet returns for track four with a song called Entering Bootytown. Prior to this film, I had somehow not heard of her, yet now I think she has one of the greatest female voices around. She manages to sing well and intelligently, though keeps an awe of calm to the song. The music for this track mixes up the action a little, and adds a nice contrast to the song.

Track five is the first we hear of Drew Barrymore's input. An actor by profession, she also took lessons with Hugh Grant, who also helps her out
in this song. Collectively they manage to pull together a really good, peaceful song which is actually one of the albums better tunes. This song holds quite a pivotal role in the movie, as quite a lot of the storyline holds meaning within this tune. For this, I think that more effort has been put into this than some of the others on the compilation. This is by no means a bad thing, just a reason behind its upgraded performance levels.

Unlike many others on this album, track six, Tony The Beat by The Sounds is actually a real song, and a good one at that. This is the sort of indie pop band fronted by a female vocalist which delivers a rather catchy tune, especially during the chorus. In fairness, this track is probably one that I would listen to more than any others on the soundtrack. This has the ability to stand alone as a song, where many of the others need the film to offer a visual description to back up what is happening. Definitely one of the better, if not the best part of the album.

Dance With Me Tonight is another of those tunes brought to us by Hugh Grant. An enjoyable, easy to listen to piece that holds harmonious music with soothing drums throughout. Quite a corny tune, that would completely flop should it be released as a single, though it comes across as a big hit due to its part in the film. I have respect for the talent in this song, though I do not necessarily enjoy it overly well.

Haley Bennet returns with her song 'Slam'. As she has proved a few times before, she is more than capable of exceeding expectations and performing to her upmost ability. And, as usually, she carries on the trend with this song. Her great voice is a real turning point for the credibility of the track and it a very enjoyable piece of music.

For track nine, we are treated to the pleasure of a real masterpiece. Again, quite a pivotal song for the plot, this manages to get across very important messages, yet delivers some intelligent, humorous lyrics that really makes the listener take note and remember the song as a good part of the film. Hosting the sort of tune that will remain trapped in your head for ages after you hear it, it manages to succeed in being one of the songs I really enjoy listening to.

Way Back Into Love version two holds the same lyrics as previously on the album, though Drew Barrymore is replaced with the more talented singer of Haley Bennet. Barrymore is a great actor, but when it comes to singing, she is no match for Bennet and it shows in this track as it holds all the benefits of track five, but also includes the extra benefit of Bennets' lyrical performance expertise.

Penultimately, we are greeted with 'Different Sound' by a band called the 'Teddybears'. Like The Sounds, this is also an actual song that I do enjoy, though not as much as any of the others. In fact, it seems quite out of place in the track listing and I am not too sure why it was included.

To end the compilation, we are greeted with a very short melodic tune called Love Autopsy. Not really lengthy enough to be classed as a song, this little rendition can be found in the film as Grant plays and sings it to Barrymore in a Piano shop. A very nice piece of music, but again, I am not too sure its inclusion on the soundtrack is essential.

The soundtrack to this film is quite entertaining overall, although the quality seems to peter off towards the end, there are still enough good tunes to pull up the overall quality of the album. I would advise that you watch the film before listening to this as the whole production will make a lot more sense, and it can be enjoyed to a greater level.

Summary: Generally, a good soundtrack, though prior film viewing is beneficial