Various: Because of Winn-Dixie Soundtrack

I had been completely unaware that they were making a movie out of Kate DiCamillo's children's novel "Because of Winn-Dixie." It was a fairly superb book about a girl and a dog and the things that ensued. The sort of book, though, that is hard to envision a full length movie being created for and kept interesting through out it's entire run. I haven't seen it and don't plan to in the theaters, so I can't comment on whether they succeeded or not.

I wouldn't usually care about a soundtrack for a movie like this. Think back to the last time a sappy live action kid movie came out and the music that was on it. You might expect some Lindsay Lohan, some Jump 5, maybe a dash of pop country. You would not expect what "Because of Winn-Dixie" delivers.

I was initially drawn to the album because Leigh Nash, of Sixpence None The Richer fame, does a song titled "I've Got To See You Smile." Sixpence ranks in my top five favorite artists and I've been fanatical about rooting everything affiliated with them that I can. When I noticed Emmylou Harris also submitted a track (and through diligent research have concluded that it's a song that hasn't appeared on any of her cds) my purchase of the album was sealed.

The album starts off strong with The Be Good Tanyas' "Opal's Blues." It's a country twinged song that showcases a fun banjo and some good vocal harmonies. The song does a good job, I think, of painting a good sonic representation of the feel of the novel with it's pace, laid back energy level, and sweet, innocent vocals.

Leigh Nash's song follows and feels like rays of sunshine. Her vocals are about on par with the Sixpence stuff, but the backing music feels a bit harsh compared to Matt Slocum's arrangements and execution. This gap is widened further by how the music doesn't really fit the book but Nash's vocals do.

After that any of my own opinions on what music would be good with the book get blown to smithereens. The Beu Sister's "Someday Somehow" has that ridiculous 80s feel to it that is out of place, and while sort of catchy, not really significant. "Sunflower" by Alice Peacock continues the happy trend of the album, and is a fine song to boot.

Article Author: The Theory

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