Juno - Various Artists

JUNO - THE SOUNDTRACK
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If you have not seen the film, then this soundtrack might seem very boring, strange or old-fashioned. However, watch the film once and the music becomes incredibly cool, and you start humming it at the most random times. I last watched the film 18 months ago, yet I found myself walking around Disney’s Wilderness Lodge humming Juno songs. It actually took me quite a while to realise what I was ...
...will be humming the Juno soundtrack all the time, and that’s exactly what makes it such a great album.

There are 19 songs on the album by various artists, including Ellen Page who plays Juno. It is not “chart music”, most songs are quite acoustic, with only a guitar or harmonica to accompany them. I find it quite easy to listen to in the background, some of it reminds me of Beatles music. I think it was quite a brave move to release ... more

JUNO - THE SOUNDTRACK
**********************
If you have not seen the film, then this soundtrack might seem very boring, strange or old-fashioned. However, watch the film once and the music becomes incredibly cool, and you start humming it at the most random times. I last watched the film 18 months ago, yet I found myself walking around Disney’s Wilderness Lodge humming Juno songs. It actually took me quite a while to realise what I was doing! So there you have it, once you’re hooked, you will be humming the Juno soundtrack all the time, and that’s exactly what makes it such a great album.

There are 19 songs on the album by various artists, including Ellen Page who plays Juno. It is not “chart music”, most songs are quite acoustic, with only a guitar or harmonica to accompany them. I find it quite easy to listen to in the background, some of it reminds me of Beatles music. I think it was quite a brave move to release the soundtrack, but everyone who has seen Juno seems to agree that it’s a great collection of songs, regardless of the kind of music they usually listen to.

THE RUNNING ORDER
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1 All I Want Is You by Barry Louis Polisar
2 My Rollercoaster (Juno Film Version) by Kimya Dawson
3 A Well Respected Man by The Kinks
4 Dearest by Buddy Holly
5 Up The Spout by Mateo Messina
6 Tire Swing by Kimya Dawson
7 Piazza, New York Catcher by Belle & Sebastian
8 Loose Lips by Kimya Dawson
9 Superstar by Sonic Youth
10 Sleep (Instrumental) by Kimya Dawson
11 Expectations (Remastered Version) by Belle & Sebastian
12 All The Young Dudes by Mott The Hoople
13 So Nice So Smart by Kimya Dawson
14 Sea Of Love (Remastered Version) by Cat Power
15 Tree Hugger by Kimya Dawson & Antsy Pants
16 I'm Sticking With You by The Velvet Underground
17 Anyone Else But You by Moldy Peaches
18 Vampire by Antsy Pants
19 Anyone Else But You by Michael Cera & Ellen Page

SONG BY SONG
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1 All I Want Is You by Barry Louis Polisar
This is one of my favourites on the album, as it gets a smile on your face every time. I think this would be a great song to wake up to in the morning, and if someone can tell me how to set my iPod alarm, that is what I’ll do! It has a nice catchy rhythm and lovely positive lyrics.

2 My Rollercoaster (Juno Film Version) by Kimya Dawson
This track is short, sweet and without words. I find it really gets my imagination going. It also follows on from the first song quite naturally, creating a nice flow.

3 A Well Respected Man by The Kinks
This is the song that sort of reminds me of the Beatles, which makes sense because they are a British invasion band from the 60s. This is a great song for walking to the bus stop, or driving to work.

4 Dearest by Buddy Holly
A very mellow song which is quite nice background music. As with the other songs on the album, the lyrics in this are very nice. The order of the songs has been carefully picked so that the listener doesn’t get bored, and all the songs so far are nice and short so that there is hardly any repetition like you often get in longer tracks.

5 Up The Spout by Mateo Messina
Less than a minute long, you barely have time to enjoy this song before it’s over! It is a catchy acoustic guitar tune without any voice. I’d call this campfire music.

6 Tire Swing by Kimya Dawson
This song definitely has the most substance to it, and the lyrics tell a story from the point of view of a girl. The tune is set by a guitar and someone whistling, continuing the “campfire” feel created by the previous song. It sort of feels like a children’s rhyme too.

7 Piazza, New York Catcher by Belle & Sebastian
Belle and Sebastian are an indie pop band from Glasgow and the Scottish accent makes a subtle change from the last song, though it continues with the same feel to it. Again the lyrics almost guide the music rather than the other way around. A very catchy tune.

8 Loose Lips by Kimya Dawson
Another Kimya Dawson song, the pace is a little faster in this one, and it sounds a bit like a kids’ song, but the lyrics are definitely not those of a kids’ song and in fact rather political.

9 Superstar by Sonic Youth
A much needed slow song with a quicker chorus to it, which is nice to listen to, although the slow bits do make you kind of sleepy.

10 Sleep (Instrumental) by Kimya Dawson
A comfy 53 second lullaby which is hummed and accompanied by a guitar.

11 Expectations (Remastered Version) by Belle & Sebastian
A great song with rhythm and bass, and again the very original lyrics which dominate this album. If you’re ever having a slow day and need music that will get you going, this is the song you need! I love the sound of the violin in it.

12 All The Young Dudes by Mott The Hoople
The first track on this album in which you can hear an electric guitar. This song was written for the band by none other than David Bowie!

13 So Nice So Smart by Kimya Dawson
Another “adult-children’s song”. The first time you listen to this album, this will be the point at which you will start to understand and appreciate Kimya Dawson -hopefully.

14 Sea Of Love (Remastered Version) by Cat Power
¨This song is very relaxing and if you’re not careful you will be so relaxed that you don’t realise you’ve stopped moving until the end of the song, when you snap out of it. A great feeling.

15 Tree Hugger by Kimya Dawson & Antsy Pants
This definitely is a children’s song, and you can actually hear kids’ voices in it. Some of this song is French, which I found quite cool. Like many of the previous songs, there is a little story in this one.

16 I'm Sticking With You by The Velvet Underground
Repetitive in a catchy way, and it has a pantomime / musical theatre kind of sound. Lovely harmonies in this song as well.

17 Anyone Else But You by Moldy Peaches
If you’ve seen Juno, this is THE defining “Juno-song” which almost sums up the entire film. If you don’t get funny looks on the bus/tram/tube/train because you’re humming along to this, you’re obviously not a true Juno-convert.

18 Vampire by Antsy Pants
Another great short track by the French group Antsy Pants, although this time they sing in English. This is the kind of song you would sing on the bus when you’re on a school trip.

19 Anyone Else But You by Michael Cera & Ellen Page
The end of the film is very appropriately also the end of the CD. This time the track is performed by the actors themselves, with much feeling.

MY OPINION
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This soundtrack is a great representation of the film. The fact that Juno is still a child, but has to cope with the responsibilities of a grown up is reflected in many of the songs. Having said that, it may be difficult to get into this kind of music if you have not seen the film. Some of the songs are from the 60s and 70s, and if that’s not your thing, then you might want to leave this CD on the shelf. However, if you’re open to different and quirky music, this album won’t disappoint.

Personally, I enjoyed this album, although I can’t say I will have it on repeat. The song Anyone Else But You is one I could listen to all day though! The song choices on the album have clearly been carefully selected, and the entire playlist flows very nicely. Thanks to some of the 50 second instrumental interludes, you don’t even realise when one song ends and the next begins. The lyrics to the songs are very clever, sounding like children’s songs but some with surprisingly adult content. I can’t quite compare this album to any other album I own; it is unique in every way. 

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