Every so often, a film is released with a soundtrack so compelling that it overwhelms the movie. This is particularly true of the popular or fad genre-focused soundtracks. In the '80's, it was the Shocker Soundtrack with heavy metal. In the '90's, it was the Singles Soundtrack with grunge/alternative. Perhaps for the 2000's, it will be Wicker Park with indie/alternative rock. As a general rule, the movies are forgettable or just barely bearable but the soundtracks ROCK! They tend to fit the overall theme of the movie and set the tone perfectly.
The movie is a dark, obsessive love story and soon after leaving the theater, one has forgotten the details. In fact, if you're anything like me, you'll have forgotten important plot points by the time you've read the "coming attractions" posters in the lobby of the movie theater on your way out the door. It's one of those irritating movies that stars all the pretty people in Hollywood and severely lacks a good script. The dialogue is bad, the plot is slow and the story is annoying.
Not so with the soundtrack, though. The overall dark and moody feel of the movie is expressed through music. Each track is emotional and expressive while most of the lyrics reflect the obsessive love theme. Rarely do you find all of the tracks on a soundtrack that fit together and the theme so well.
Featuring eight songs that are exclusive, unreleased or rare non-album tracks from some of the hottest current and up and coming bands of today such as Lifehouse, The Postal Service and Death Cab For Cutie, it is a rare satisfying collection. The highlights include the exclusive acoustic version of Death Cab For Cutie's "A Movie Script Ending" and the non-album cover of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds," a song ironically featured in an obsessive love story movie from 20 years ago but taken as a whole, it's a truly enjoyable experience.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Sandra Smallson
I actually liked the movie and I agree about the soundtrack. Good to own. I Just absolutely love "Maybe Tomorrow" by the Stereophonics.
2 - Temple Stark
Jim,
I threw this up on Advance.net.
If you are committed to good "first draft" you might want to look over the copy on Advance.net and see the small changes - and sometimes big changes. The big changes are almost always done for space, however. NB: I'm posting this message to all reviews, not singling you out at all. :-)
3 - mike
hey guys
ive been diyng to hear that cioldpaly song at the end of the wicker park movie, but i just cant find it on the web anywhere. id appreciate it if you guys could help me
4 - mrbenning
Mike,
I won't help you find the song, but maybe I can sway you from trying too hard.
I'm a fan of Concrete Blonde and Johnette Napolitano's voice. I've still gotta say, though, I was pretty disappointed in her cover of The Scientist.
For a more graceful version, pick up the special edition (with bonus b-sides and live cuts)of Aimee Mann's Lost In Space. Her live cover of The Scientist is the only one I've heard that does justice to the original. She even tweaks it a bit toward the end with some graceful harmonies.
5 - Amit GUpta
plz tell m ethe name and the singer of the song at the end of the movie Wicker PArk with the lyrics"i take u back to the stars"
6 - megan
can anyone tell me what the name of the song is when matthew drops off lisa at her house on their first date, then drives off in the snow, then decides he wants to come in, continuing through the sex(sort of)scene? lyrics are 'good to me' or something? i have to know!!
7 - Joseph
Hello,
I was impressed by the movie, so much impressed that I bought the soundtrack because this on song which would not come out of my brain.
The really bad thing is that this song is not on the Soundtrack !!!
I could not tell its name or the performer to anybody because it is an acoustic song and it is not mentioned at the end of the movie.
It is used twice in the movie. First when Metthew drive with his car to through the snow and ran up the stairs to the wrong Lisa, watching the guy putting the letter under the door and red this letter after pulling it back with his belt. The second time it is played when he throw away the key of the wrong Lisas apartment and when he pulled it back out from the duct cover.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, CAN ANYBODY HELP ME IN FINDING THE PERFORMER AND THE TITLE OF THIS REALLY CATTHY TUNE !!! I have heard this part of the movie so often from the DVD now and I am so sad about the uncomplete soundtrack. It is such a cool song with Piano, Strings and Bass.
SORRY FOR THE BAD ENGLISH, I am a kraut :-(
8 - steph
megan,
that song after the first date..."good to me" - brendan benson
think the white stripes covered it too
9 - hailey
can someone please tell me what the name of song is from lisa's modern dance is called when matthew was watching her, and also the song from when matthew was waiting for lisa at wicker park the first time, thanks a lot :)
10 - Gretchen
Please please, someone tell me the name of the song that plays during Matt and Lisa's sex scene. I've been trying to figure it out forever and it's driving me insane! Thanks.
11 - Gretchen
Nevermind, I didnt see Steph's comment. YOU ROCK MY WORLD! THANKS!
12 - csaba
Please can anyone tell me the writer of the song "I'll take y back to the stars " wich is played at the end of the movie..thanx
13 - csaba
LISTEN UP!!!!!!!! I HAVE FIND THE SONG YOU ALL BEEN LONING TO KNOW 'TAKE YOU BACK TO THE STARS'
IS WRITEN BY COLDPLAY 'THE SCIENTIST
LISTEN UP.........
14 - angie
what is the name of the song that's playing when she is at the dance studio?
15 - elgin
Can anyone tell me the title/artist of the song played on the scene where alex was watching matt buying a hotdog sandwich in the park. It goes like "i've been watching your world from apart.."
16 - DF
can someone please tell me what the name of song is from lisa's modern dance is called when matthew was watching her
17 - Melissa
I love the song when Lisa is dancing and Matthew is watching...reminds me a lot of the Cocteau Twins. Can someone tell me the name and artist(s) please? Also, is it on the soundtrack?
18 - Martin
The song played during the dance scene is "We All Have A Map Of The Piano" by Mum, and yes, it is on the soundtrack.
19 - Martin
Also, the one in the park with Alex and Matt is 'Strange and Beautiful' by Aqualung. Hope this answers your questions.
20 - Steffnie
i love this movie! everything!! from the story itself, the twist, the actors and the soundtrack of course! what more could you ask for?!
21 - w/e
looking fo rthe song played at the end when matt finds lisa ,plz help thnx
22 - Amanda
its the Scientist by Coldplay..
duuude just look at the soundtrack and look up lyrics lazy bums
23 - Sarah
Can somone tell me the artist and the name of the song when they finally see eachother at the airport? Plz
24 - Sarah
nevermind I got it
25 - tertu
please someone who knows the name of the song when lisa and matt are dancing in lisa's apartment
thanx