Uma and Janeane. Janeane and Uma. These two women (Janeane Garofalo and Uma Thurman) and Ben Chaplin are the stars of The Truth About Cats and Dogs. The backing star is the soundtrack for the film.
Unlike the Mission: Impossible soundtrack, the songs here are not only in the movie, but are part of the film. Paul Weller's "You Do Something To Me", which is not a new track, gains a new life when used at a critical moment in the movie. Some new tracks do fit in nicely with their performer's careers; the blues tinged Robert Cray track "Well I Lied" is one of the artist's best, and Suzanne Vega's "Caramel" returns to ground not unlike her song "Rusted Pipe", while perennial popsters Squeeze produce another eminently singable song with "This Road".
The next big alternative superstar tag has been applied to Ben Folds Five. Imagine the spirit of the Replacements coupled with a piano player on speed, and you've got the general idea for Folds, and why tracks such as "Bad Idea" have got many industry insiders abuzz.
The only song that is a let-down is the Sting/Ranking Roger (formerly of English Beat and General Public) duet of the Police song, "Bed's Too Big Without You". True, the Police loved venturing towards reggae, but this track would have been best left on the cutting room floor.
All in all, it's not *the* soundtrack for 1996, but is better than most. Fans of "adult alternative" music should flock to this in droves. TRACK LISTING: Dionne Farris - "For Once In My Life", Suzanne Vega - "Caramel", Sting/Ranking Roger - "Bed's Too Big Without You", Cowboy Junkies - "Angel Mine", Squeeze - "This Road", Al Green - "Give It Everything", Aaron Neville - "I Can't Imagine", Blues Traveler -"Run-Around", Robert Cray Band - "Well I Lied", Jill Sobule - "Where Do I Begin", Paul Weller - "You Do Something To Me", Brand New Heavies - "World Keeps Spinning", Ben Folds Five - "Bad Idea", Howard Shore - "Cats & Dogs"
