CD Review: Garden State Soundtrack
Published February 09, 2005
With the recent Oscar nominations, I was saddened by the lack of love for Zach Braff's wonderful film. When I saw it in the theater I sat there caught up in the characters, following them through their adventure. It was a beautifully understated tale of loss and self discovery. Odd way to start a CD review, but I had to get that out, and it seemed fitting to mention the movie that gave us this fine soundtrack.
Writer/Director/Star Zach Braff actually compiled all of the tracks for the film himself, and he has done a fine job selecting them to compliment his film. They not only fit the film perfectly, they also stand alone as a wonderful album. Granted, this music isn't from the genre I normally listen too, it is a great set.
From the opening strains of Coldplay's "Don't Panic," to the closing notes of Bonnie Somerville's "Winding Road," you are in for nearly an hour of great music of the mellow persuasion. It is a great album to just sit back and listen to. It is a very low key album keeping in pace with the tone of the film.
There was only one track that did not really do too much for me, "One Of These Things First" by Nick Drake. It's not so much that I don't like the song, but every album has that weak link, and this was that song for me.
The strength of the album lies in the many artists that hail from the underground side of the music scene, which to me just means artists that you typically do not hear on popular radio and that I have just not heard of. For example, there are two cuts from a group called The Shins which are just fantastic, but I had never heard of them before. There is also the mellow techno sounds supplied by Thievery Corporation.
In addition to the lesser known artists, there are the bigger acts like the aforementioned Coldplay. There is also a song from Simon and Garfunkel, and also the former singer from Men at Work, Colin Hay, contributing the track "I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You."
Bottomline. This is a great album accompanying a great film. This is the kind of album that you can put on and listen straight through. Fantastic.
Highly Recommended.
Visit me at Draven99's Musings.
Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about entertainment when he isn't sitting in a movie theater. He is known around the office as the "Movie Guy" and is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Interests include science fiction, horror, and metal music. His writings can be found at Draven99's Musings, as well as Film School Rejects. 
- CD Review: Garden State Soundtrack
- Published: February 09, 2005
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Soundtracks, Music: Indie Rock, Music: Alternative Rock
- Writer: Chris Beaumont
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Comments on this articleComments
I haven't seen the movie yet so I can't judge on its merits relative to the film, but it's a very nice, albeit very down-tempo, collection of tunes. Ironically, per Chris's review, the Nick Drake song is probably my favorite on the disc.
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The bit of Paul Simon's "The Only living boy in New York" used in the scene at the quarry is the coolest, most perfect piece of music use for me since John Cusak cranked up the Replacments "Within in your Reach" when leaving the house in Say Anything. Excellent!!!