The movie Empire focuses on a small record store and the plight of six teenagers to save it from a corporate takeover. The soundtrack to this movie is the perfect combination between today's alternative hit makers and some of tomorrow's most promising (and even unsigned) bands.
The first single from this collection is the Gin Blossoms' "'Til I Hear It From You". It's notable for several reasons; it's the Blossoms' first song in three years, co-written by Marshall Crenshaw, and bears an uncanny resemblance to the Smithereens' "Baby Be Good" (from their album 11). And, it would fit in perfectly with anything off of their double platinum New Miserable Experience album. Another hit for the band from Tempe, Arizona.
Ex-Orange Juice member Edwyn Collins has already secured the biggest hit of his U.K. career with "A Girl Like You". The 60's-influenced song, whose music sounds as if it came from an episode of Mission: Impossible or any of the spy series from that time period, is irresistible to the ear. As a sidenote, this video was directed by They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh.
The Cranberries have arguably released their best *rocking* song to date in "Liar", which like many of the other songs, only appears here. And, Toad the Wet Sprocket return to the scene with the introspective "Crazy Life".
However, it's not just the "name" acts that make this a special collection. Drill's "What You Are" leaves a chilling feeling in the spine, while Martini's "Free" (featuring ex-Pixies Joey Santiago and Dave Lovering) could have been lifted from a Doolittle outtake session. Finally, the bouncy, poppy sound of Canada's Coyote Shivers on "Sugarhigh" is an appropriate conclusion to this 15 song album.
This is the year's deepest and best soundtrack. Don't be left out in the cold.
