Review: Various artists “Californication Season 4” Television Soundtrack

Now in its fourth season on Showtime, “Californication” is a sensation. The show, which stars David Duchovny as Hank Moody, has a close connection to music – this season, his teenage daughter Becca (played by Madeleine Martin) joins an all-girl rock band called Queens of Dogtown. The “Californication Season 4” Television Soundtrack features several tunes from Queens of Dogtown, along with other music from a variety of bands that “play a part in bringing to life many of the storylines of the new season).

The soundtrack features a lot of songs you are bound to be familiar with covered by artists you may be less familiar with…Eagles of Death Metal do a power rock rendition of the Stealers Wheel’s classic, “Stuck In The Middle With You”, even renaming it “Stuck In The Metal”. It’s actually a lot less metal than you might think. Better Than Ezra revamp “So Alive”, the breakout hit for alt rock godfathers, Love and Rockets. Queens of Dogtown do several cover tunes, including “Would?” (Alice In Chains), “Last Caress” (Misfits) and “I Remember You” (Skid Row). “Would?” just sounds wrong with anyone but Layne Staley singing it, but their removal of the power from Skid Row’s smash power ballad is surprisingly effective. Two songs buried in here that stood out were Cracker’s midtempo gem, “Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out With Me” and the gentle acoustic piece “If I Go, I'm Goin”, beautifully sung by Gregory Alan Isakov.

Some of the originals are just silly (the Shooter Jennings contribution, “F**k You (I’m Famous)” or boring (“Second Life Replay” by The Soundtrack of Our Lives). The soundtrack ends on a pathetic note with a dreadful version of “Home Sweet Home” by Tommy Lee and a chorus of others who probably want to remain anonymous.

The “Californication Season 4” soundtrack is a must for fans of cover tunes. Personally, I’m not finding a whole lot here that I’ll be coming back to anytime soon.

iPOD-worthy: 8, 9, 12

More info here. The soundtrack is out today on CD or in digital format.

Kneejerk: Saw 3D Soundtrack – Good Charlotte

Welcome to the latest edition of KNEEJERK, where we preview some new releases and give our short, "kneejerk" reaction...


Various artists “Saw 3D Soundtrack”

What type of music comes to mind when you watch the wildly popular slasher flick, “Saw”? We don’t have the eerie orchestral stabs of Psycho, or the chirp chirp –pa pa pa sound of Friday the 13th, or the frantic and haunting piano of Halloween...we have blistering hard rock. Whatever you think of this tired movie series, “Saw 3D Soundtrack” may as well be a “Now: That’s What I Call Hard Rock” CD. The “Saw 3D Soundtrack” is packed with great artists, some of whom we have previously reviewed on BMF like Krokus and Kopek (why Kopek is not huge by now I have no idea). Others on this record even better known to modern rock fans include Saliva, Hinder, and Saving Abel. There is even a smattering of progressive bands like Karnivool and techno-rock bands like Nitzer Ebb. The key question – are these tracks just sloppy seconds by these artists or do they synergize and make for a good soundtrack from start to finish? I’d have to argue for the latter – this powerhouse of a soundtrack is more consistent than most, with the worst “songs” (virtually just abrasive noise) tacked onto the end as almost an afterthought. Best tracks are Hinder’s “Waking Up The Devil”, My Darkest Day’s “The World Belongs To Me”, Default’s “Turn It On”, Adelita’s Way’s “Scream”, and of course Kopek’s “Love Is Dead”. Tracks by Saliva and Boom Boom Satellites were disappointing.


Good Charlotte "Cardiology"

I’ve always enjoyed this Maryland band, ever since their breakthrough hit “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” from 2002’s “The Young and the Hopeless” tore up the charts. Good Charlotte is classified by some as emo, pop punk, or what have you…but it is safe to say they specialize in radio-friendly pop rock with an edge. “Cardiology” is the band’s fifth effort and is supposed to sound like Blink-182. Well, why not just sound like Good Charlotte? The record gets off to a reasonable, albeit predictable, start with staples like “Let The Music Play” and “Counting The Days”. The middle of the record is quite lame with cliché by-the-book tunes like “Sex On The Radio” and “Last Night”, and an occasion misstep into dance rock territory with head scratching songs like “Like It’s Her Birthday”. Saving the record somewhat is the inspirational power ballad “Standing Ovation”, the jovial acoustic strumming in “1979”, and pop rocker “There She Goes”. Lyrically, the album is surprisingly empty and dull. “Cardiology” is good – but not heart stopping good. For a band that is heading into their second decade, a little more growth than this is expected.

Rare CD: Soundtrack "The Wraith"

"THE WRAITH CD - 1986 - BEST AOR SOUNDTRACK EVER rare
THIS CD TITLED "THE WRAITH ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK" WAS ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN 1986 BY SCOTTI BROTHERS - THIS IS THE RECENT DIGITAL REMASTER.

THE CD/CASE/INSERTS ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION!!

HERE IT IS - THE BEST AOR / MELODIC ROCK SOUNDTRACK EVER!! GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO FIND - PICK THIS GEM UP NOW!!

1. Where's the Fire (Tim Feehan)
2. Those Were the Days (Honeymoon Suite)
3. Hearts Vs. Heads (Stan Bush)
4. Hold on Blue Eyes (Lamarca)
5. Young Love, Hot Love (Jill Michaels)
6. Secret Loser (Ozzy Osbourne)
7. Never Surrender (Lion)
8. Bad Mistake (James House)
9. Wake Up Call (Ian Hunter)
10. Matter of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler)"

Sold for $76.00 on ebay.

Review: "Hung" [TV Soundtrack]

Desperate times call for desperate measures and Ray Drecker's situation couldn't be much tougher. The former high school sports legend turned middle-aged high school basketball coach is divorced and struggling to provide for his kids when his already run-down house catches fire. Looking to take on a second job, Ray decides to exploit his best asset in a last-ditch attempt to change his fortunes. Created by Dmitry Lipkin (creator of 'The Riches') and Colette Burson, HUNG uses dark humor to tell the story of a man fighting to survive personal setbacks that have been compounded by a troubled economy. Read more about the show here.

The original soundtrack to this HBO show features a diverse list of artists, but the general theme is soulful rock. There are a couple of exceptions thrown in, putting this soundtrack into the familiar trap of being an inconsistent listen. For example, the dated 80s sound of the Psychedelic Furs song, "Love My Way", the quirky cover of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" by L.A.R.P. , and the obnoxious Mickey Avalon rap "My Dick". "Love My Way" is a terrific song, but sounds grossly out of place here. "My Dick" also sticks out like a sore thumb (lol) - it is a serious miscalculation by those who put this compilation together.

The strengths include some awesome gems by the retro sounding Black Keys, country legend Loretta Lynn, and the amazing funk rock of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. Grant-Lee Phillips shines as always on "Strangest Thing" and Morcheeba gives an emotive vocal on the sultry "Everybody Loves A Loser". Additional highlights include the haunting beauty of Joseph Arthur's "Walk Away", Craig Wedren's well done cover of Queen's "Play The Game", and the insightful acoustic ballad "You Gotta Suffer A Lot To Be Happy" by Sunny and Sharé Love You. A few missteps, but largely an enjoyable collection of tunes.

Track listing is as follows:
1. I'll Be Your Man- The Black Keys
2. Have Mercy- Loretta Lynn
3. Walk Away- Joseph Arthur
4. How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?- Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings
5. Strangest Thing- Grant-Lee Phillips
6. Play The Game- Craig Wedren
7. My Dick- Mickey Avalon
8. Everybody Loves A Loser- Morcheeba
9. I Feel Just Like A Child- Devendra Banhart
10. Change Is- Ryan Bingham
11. You Gotta Suffer A Lot To Be Happy- Sunny And Sharé Love You
12. Love My Way- Psychedelic Furs
13. This Land Is Your Land- L.A.R.P.

iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11

The "Hung" Soundtrack is out June 22.

Review: Various Artists "Friday Night Lights Vol. 2"

"Friday Night Lights Volume 2" features some of the biggest break out artists of the past year, as you'll notice from the track listing below. The music on the soundtrack to the hit television show is rather eclectic, and not at all what I expected given that this show centers on football. There are a handful of sport appropriate (rah rah) anthem type songs, such as the thumping opener, "Percussion Gun" by White Rabbits, but what predominates "Friday Night Lights Volume 2" is more of a coffeehouse, easy Sunday morning set of songs. You'd almost think this was one of the "Grey's Anatomy" soundtracks. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing - just don't take this CD to a pep rally - it sounds more like what one would play after losing a game rather than getting psyched to win one.

"Friday Night Lights Vol. 2" is a good way to check out these "rising stars" and since most of the music is organic and easy, the record makes for a fairly consistent listen. In other words, it plays well as a whole record and does not fall into the soundtrack trap of being all over the map in terms of artists with wildly dissimilar styles. Unfortunately, I found too many of the songs to be nondescript and dull, like a boring halftime show that never seems to end. Highlights include the quiet build of "Killed Myself When I Was Young" by A.A. Bondy and "Fire", a stunning piano ballad by Augustana, one of my favorite bands (if you do have an Augustana record yet, what are you waiting for?). But my favorite player on this team was "Something Good This Way Comes" by Jakob Dylan. With its simplistic beauty, sweet melody, and vivid imagery, it is one of his best tunes since his early Wallflower days.

"Friday Night Lights Volume 2" is out today (digitally) and hits stores May 18.

Track Listing
1. PERCUSSION GUN - WHITE RABBITS
2. SWAY - HEARTLESS BASTARDS
3. KILLED MYSELF WHEN I WAS YOUNG - A.A. BONDY
4. FIRE - AUGUSTANA
5. SOMETHING GOOD THIS WAY COMES - JAKOB DYLAN
6. I KNOW WHAT I AM - BAND OF SKULLS
7. THE MEANEST MAN IN THE WORLD - JOHN DOE
8. IF IT’S THE BEACHES - THE AVETT BROTHERS
9. WHAT YOU HIDE - AM
10. COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING - SUFJAN STEVENS
11. THIS IS THE THING - FINK
12. FNL MAIN TITLE - SNUFFY WALDEN

iPOD-worthy: 3, 4, 5

Get it.

Rare CD: Danny Elfman "Midnight Run" (Soundtrack)

Original Soundtrack From The Classic Action Film with Robert De Niro "MIDNIGHT RUN""
(1988). Composed by Danny Elfman.

Sold for $76.00 on ebay (12 bids)

Used version going for $49.99 at Amazon. Check now.

Review: Soundtrack "If Looks Could Kill" (1991)

I've never heard of this 1991 movie (starring Richard Grieco), but the soundtrack caught my eye because a number of bands I somewhat enjoyed had some songs on here that I've never heard. Judging by the booklet and movie poster, it is not a movie I am going to rush to Blockbuster to check out. But here is the scoop on the tunes for those who care...

Glenn Medeiros (remember "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You"), starts off us with a track that tries really, really hard to keep the 80s sound alive, despite the fact that it was recorded in 1991. It sounds exceptionally dated and wasn't the kind of 80s music I was a huge fan of. I began to think that I made a mistake with this soundtrack, but then comes a long lost track from The Outfield, an 80s favorite of mine. "One Hot Country" is classic Outfield and is one of their better tracks from the time period. Sounds like it could have come off "Rockeye". The short-lived hair band supergroup Contraband makes a decent contribution with a track made for cruising, "Loud Guitars Fast Cars, and Wild Wild Women." Trixter's track, "One Mo Time" is queer; the only song I know from them featuring sax. I would not have known it was Trixter. This track did very little for me. The soundtrack reaches a low point with a pure dance track by Kylie Minogue (WTF? Who puts this on a soundtrack of mostly AOR and hairband stuff?)

Next up comes Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group), who is now the lead singer for Survivor. Songs like this "Teach Me How To Dream" probably got him that job. Robin McAuley sounds a lot like Klaus Meine (Scorpions) at times, and this song a lot like "Winds of Change" - overall, it is a respectable power ballad. The Fixx put in a surprisingly good rock track with harmonica to boot called "All Is Fair". Another underrated AOR band called The Stabilizers contribute a very nice track called "Maybe This Time", a pleasant uptempo rocker with plenty of harmony and a perfect balance of guitars and synth that was typical of the late 80s. Incidentally, their 1986 CD "Tyranny" is a good catch for collectors - currently going for $42 on Amazon.com - check now. "Maybe This Time" is much better than anything on "Tyranny", though. Bang Tango closes things out with another blast from the past - a funky rocker called "My Saltine". I was never a huge fan of this band, but this track is jazzed up with horns and quite catchy.

iPOD-worthy: 2, 6, 7, 8, 9

Rare CD: Soundtrack "American Anthem"

"This rare cd on the Atlantic label is the original soundtrack to the movie starring Janet Jones and Mitch Gaylord entitled American Anthem and features 11 tracks. These include: "Two Hearts" by John Parr, "Run To Her" by Mr. Mister, "Same Direction" by INXS, "Battle Of The Dragon" by Stevie Nicks, "Wings To Fly" by Graham Nash, " Take It Easy" by Andy Taylor, "Wings Of Love" by Andy Taylor, "Love And Loneliness" by Chris Thompson, " Angel Eyes" by Andy Taylor, "Arthur's Theme" by Alan Silvestri, Julie's Final" by Alan Silvestri."

One sold on ebay for $56.00 (17 bids). Buyer paid too much and could have gotten it for $45 on Amazon.com. Check now.

UPDATE 5-1-08: One sells for $49.00 on ebay (8 bids).

Rare CD: Soundtrack "Serpent and the Rainbow"

Listed as "one of the rarest soundtracks of all time" - I do not doubt it since it is a Varese and went for $338.33 on ebay with 28 bids. This is the soundtrack for the 1988 Wes Craven film.

Rare CD: Soundtrack "Lethal Weapon"

With only 3000 original copies in existence, the soundtrack to the first Lethal Weapon movie fetches a handsome price (Limited edition, Bacchus Media Group Inc). Don't bother with the sequels...those soundtracks are worthless. Currently unavailable on Amazon - check now.

2-3-08: One sells for $64.99 on ebay (14 bids).

Rare CD: Soundtrack "Ghostbusters"

"Ghostbusters - Varese Sarabande rare & OOP CDThis auction is for the out-of-print CD release of Elmer Bernstein's score to the film "Ghostbusters." Released as a limited collector’s edition of 3000 copies through the Varese Sarabande Soundtrack Club ( Catalog #: VCL 0306 1046 )."

He slimed me...one sells for $79.05 on ebay (15 bids)

4-21-08: One sells for $71.00 on ebay (14 bids)

Rare CD: Soundtrack "Commando"

"Commando - Varese Sarabande rare & OOP CDThis auction is for the out-of-print CD release of James Horner's score to the film "Commando." Released as a limited collector’s edition of 3000 copies through the Varese Sarabande Soundtrack Club ( Catalog #: VCL 1103 1026 )."

Not going for as much as "Predator", but not too shabby...

One sells for $65.00 on ebay (14 bids)

4-24-08: One sells for $103.52 on ebay (25 bids)

Rare CD: Soundtrack "Romancing the Stone"

"This is the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to the 1984 film 'Romancing the Stone' starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. The CD is from the Varese Sarabande CD Club (VCL 0702 1012) and was limited to only 3000 copies. This one is factory sealed and has long been sold out."

On Amazon.com, it is currently running $150 for a used copy. Check now.

12-11-07: One sells on ebay for $102.50 (13 bids)!

Rare CD: "Predator" Soundtrack

Surprisingly, there a many soundtracks on CD that people will pay an arm and leg for...no pun intended for the one above. "It's not a tumor!"

Listed as: "ALAN SILVESTRI - VARESE CLUB CD - RARE SCORE"
Sold for $177 on ebay (21 bids). If I paid that much for a single CD, I'd probably be terminated.

UPDATE (1-31-08): One sells for $187.50 on ebay (38 bids)

4-21-08: One sells for $255.00 on ebay (12 bids)

Rare CD: "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" Soundtrack

The elusive soundtrack for the 1985 Sarah Jessica Parker/Helen Hunt dance movie, "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" recently sold on ebay for $55. No doubt the film was inspired by Cyndi Lauper's smash hit of the same name, but you won't find that tune on this soundtrack.

Quite a bargain considering that someone on Amazon.com is asking $260!

Track listing
1. (Come On) Shout! Performed By Alex Brown
2. On the Loose Performed By Chris Farren
3. I Can Fly Performed By Rainey
4. Dancing In Heaven (Orbital Be-Bop) Performed By Q-Feel
5. Girls Just Want to Have Fun Performed By Deborah Galli feat. Tami Holbrook and Meredith Marshall
6. Dancing In the Street Performed By Animotion
7. Too Cruel Performed By Amy Hart
8. Technique Performed By Rainey
9. Wake Up the Neighborhood Performed By Holland