American Beauty - Original Soundtrack > Reviews > All Right Now

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Not applicable
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money

Advantages:	An Eclectic collection of tracks, always interesting and enjoyable .
Disadvantages:	too little of Thomas Newmans score

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Alas not the score for this great movie, which has never made it to our high streets here in the UK, but instead a collection of tracks that can be heard in the film. It does boast 2 of Thomas Newmans original compositions, the brilliant 'Dead Already' and haunting 'Any Other Name'.

The rest of the album is a truly eclectic bunch of songs, and it works wonderfully for the sheer unpredictability of it all. I can't stress what an enjoyable listen this album is, Elliot Smith covers the Beatles 'Because', and then we get the Folk Implosion with 'Free to Go'. I wish the American dross that clutters our charts would sod off and leave the way clear for the indie gems of Folk Implosion and the Eels who crop up later on. The Eels chip in with 'Cancer for the Cure', but not before the familiar sound of Free and 'All Right Now'. The best thing is, that although this is not the score to the film, these tracks remain memorable because you can instantly place them in the film and the action that they accompanied. This stands above those horrid cash in soundtrack albums featuring tracks you either heard a second of or are 'inspired' by the film.

It's always a pleasure to hear Bill Withers, and 'Use Me' is a smooth and funky delight, and again we're veering wildly from one musical style to another. Track 7 brings us The Who, and I'll try not to go into raptures, but we get 'The Seeker' which is just great, and also opens 'The Limey' to great effect. Next up is another wild swing in direction and Bobby Darin with the wonderfully big sounding 'Don't Rain on my Parade', this will be firmly stuck in your head after 2 listens, especially the belting finale. Big band never sounded better. Betty Carter follows with the sumptuous and slinky 'Open the Door' and we get our first taste of jazz on this eclectic collection.

The brilliant Gomez contribute track 10 'We Haven't Turned Around' and as much as I like Gomez and indeed this track, it doesn't quite sit on the album, not sure why, it just doesn't feel right, but then that's me just being weird no doubt. No, we haven't accidentally stumbled onto the South Pacific soundtrack album, Peggy Lee sings the beautiful 'Bali Ha'i' and the album ends with the atmospheric jewel of the film, the fantastic 'Any Other Name', the Thomas Newman track recently massacred by all and sundry with sub-Ibiza beats laid all over it.

A superb listen, track down the score too, probably as an import...booo!