Scrubs Official Soundtrack

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Scrubs is one of my favorite TV programmes and although I appreciated the music as part of the show it wasn't until I saw the episode with, who I found out later was, Colin Hay (ex 'Men at Work' front-man) playing 'the Troubadour' that I really thought about the music. I missed the titles and didn't get his name so I Google'd Scrubs and music and got more info. Not only did I find out who he was but that there was a soundtrack. ...
...is available on-line from the scrubs web-site (the Ciao police don't allow web links so drop me a message and I will hook you up with the link)

2."All In My Head" the CD slips easily into this light but slightly 'rocky' ballad. Nothing too original, very typical Scrubs background music as JD daydreams his way through another crisis. Notwithstanding this the track has, and continues to, grow on me.

3. "Fresh ... more

CD (2002), 52'30, Hollywood Label.

Amazon currently lists the CD new at £10.99 although the price varies wildly so shop around.

Just for a change of pace this review will be written in the style of the inimitable Dr. Perry Cox …

OK newbie listen up … are ya listenin' Mary? … god geez, if I can just get all the waaaay… haaay …. haay through this review without one of you screw-ups killing someone or Dr Kelso putting a coin slot on the oxygen supply then just maybe I can finally escape this patient strewn hell-hole … [whistles ] … hey, nervous guy! Get me that CD!

Dam, sorry can't keep that up …

Scrubs is one of my favorite TV programmes and although I appreciated the music as part of the show it wasn't until I saw the episode with, who I found out later was, Colin Hay (ex 'Men at Work' front-man) playing 'the Troubadour' that I really thought about the music. I missed the titles and didn't get his name so I Google'd Scrubs and music and got more info. Not only did I find out who he was but that there was a soundtrack. I was pleased to see the Colin Hay tracks on the CD, particularly 'Overkill' however most of the rest didn't ring any bells at all - I got the CD basically on the back of enjoying the programme and the Colin Hay music from it.

On listening, the track selection was eclectic but still only ranging from slow thoughtful ballads to the more rocky with nothing too heavy - you won't scare your granny with this CD. I have provided a basic track list (for those who only want the basic information) and a song-by-song précis for those who want a bit more information.

Track list (track reviews below for folks who need that bit more info!):

1. Superman - Lazlo Bane
2. All In My Head - Shawn Mullins
3. Fresh Feeling - Eels
4. Good Time - Leroy
5. Good Life - Francis Dunnery
6. New Slang - The Shins
7. Beautiful World - Colin Hay
8. Hold On Hope - Guided By Voices
9. Fighting For My Love - Nil Lara
10. Dracula From Houston - Butthole Surfers
11. Hooch - Everything
12. Hallelujah - John Cale
13. Have It All - Jeremy Kay
14. End Credit Score - Jan Stevens
15. Overkill - Colin Hay

1."Superman" - The opening track will be familiar to all fans but it's really nice to hear it in full (although it is a slightly different version than the show titles). BTW if you haven't already seen it the video for Superman, shot at Sacred Heart, it is available on-line from the scrubs web-site (the Ciao police don't allow web links so drop me a message and I will hook you up with the link)

2."All In My Head" the CD slips easily into this light but slightly 'rocky' ballad. Nothing too original, very typical Scrubs background music as JD daydreams his way through another crisis. Notwithstanding this the track has, and continues to, grow on me.

3. "Fresh Feeling" this is, to me, one of the oddball tracks and most likely to get me reaching for the skip button. It is a bit of a dirge with a heavy base line. The track warms up a little by the middle but still not really my kind of music. This is an example of a song which makes sense to me as background to a scene but maybe not as a song in its own right.

4. "Good Time" - great feel good music, slightly odd but very enjoyable vocals. WARNING if you listen to this in the car you are likely to get caught singing along and doing Steve Tyler (Aerosmith) facial expressions (and we don't want that do we?)

5. "Good Life" - acoustic with a bit of an orchestral backing and clear, if strained at times, vocals. Nothing too special but a good tune nonetheless.

6. "New Slag" - another easy going ballad with, to me, a bit of a 60s Paul Simon thing going on. Not a favorite track from the album but no reaching for the button …

7. "Beautiful World" - as Colin Hay sings it "my my my this is as good as it gets". A great acoustic song - definitely eyes closed headphone time (you know what I mean). Exactly the music from Colin Hay that sucked me into the soundtrack in the first place. Excellent vocals, lyrics and strumming guitar delivery. Undoubtedly one of the picks of the album.

8. "Hold On Hope" - For some reason I get a Lennon/Beatles/Oasis flashback when listening to this, although that might just be me! Another (mainly) acoustic ballad. Again nothing too special, not really a star track for me but still enjoyable.

9. "Fighting For My Love" - an odd reggae/rock duet but strangely compelling and cleverly put together. A bit of a Chris de Burgh (no not the whining stuff!) feel to it if that makes sense for a reggae/rock.

10. "Dracula From Houston" - with a track (and band [see above!]) name like this you have to listen if just out of morbid curiosity. I'm really not sure about this track. It is in the style of 'Superman' but a bit more rocky. It's OK but not one I will jump forward to.

11. "Hooch" - rock/gospel/soul track. Disappears in amongst the other tracks to me. If you are into a gospel/soul sound then you might quite like this. Much as with "Fresh Feeling" (track 3) this is probably comes over better as background to a scene.

12. "Hallelujah" - A very respectable version of the classic Leonard Cohen song (if this doesn't ring any bells then watch Shrek!). Not exactly going to rock you to the ground but a powerful ballad nonetheless. As I remember this accompanied a particularly poignant section of an episode. Another example of the range of music backing Scrubs.

13. "Have It All" - a good rocky little tune, definitely one of the prizes on the disk. A little reminiscent of an American Paul Weller. If you like Lazlo Bane's 'Superman' then you will like this.

14. "End Credit Score" - exactly what it says on the tin. The short instrumental version of 'Superman' played over the end credits of Scrubs. Grab yer banjo and get ta pickin'.

15. "Overkill" - a classic hard strumming ballad. This particular track got me into Colin Hay's music - just like "Beautiful World" this is great headphone music taking time to actually listening to the words. I love the vocal delivery and range, which I find very very impressive although purists might consider it a little strained.

Without watching back through the Scrubs back catalogue I can't be sure but I would have thought that there were a couple of better tracks that could have replaced some of the ones on the CD although I suppose that is just personal taste. Other than the 'Superman' and Colin Hay tracks there is no clear tie-in with the programme (such as cast member tracks) which, I think, would have been a nice touch for the fans. Possibly an opportunity missed?

Overall the album is great easy listening feel-good music with some genuine gems, you might pick up some leads on artists who previously got under your radar (like Colin Hay). I am not a great fan of over produced music so this selection really hits my spot. I strongly recommend that you listen to the short samples available at Amazon or Hollywood records before you buy (again drop me a note if you need a link) - your taste is most likely different from mine and your mileage may vary :-)

NOTE: Although advertised as being "Enhanced" with multimedia files this only consists of a link to an external site (drop me if you want a link but it really isn't worth it - just check out the enclosed picture) which displays a message saying "Advanced CD features coming soon" … not exactly an enhancement.

Hope you enjoyed the review ... I have included everything I could think of but I'm happy to add to it if folks want more just drop me a line.

[returning to Dr Cox]

Well Denise, we got through the review without Ted passing out due to legally induced stress or Jordan consuming the remainder of my soul … this moment is so great that I would cheat on any other moment with it, marry it, and raise a family of tiny little moments.

> cut to JD looking clueless … cue end title music …
 

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