REVIEW: Soundtrack, The Mod Squad (Elektra)
- Tim Hulsizer
Points docked right off the bat for introducing me to the phrase "alt-funk." Points are also deducted by the East German judge for engineering a clothing line tie-in with Levi's. However, ignoring those two transgressions, let's take a look at the motion picture soundtrack landscape and review this disc on its own terms.
I'm sure by now we're all familiar with the modern film soundtrack. Generally half of the songs aren't even in the film (they're somehow "inspired by" the movie) and they rarely serve as anything more than a sampler for a record label's latest band line-up.
The Mod Squad, though somewhat guilty of the latter (all but four acts are on Elektra), is better than most albums of this kind. First and foremost, every song on here is actually in the film itself. Also, the producers have managed to dish up some rump-shaking songs while avoiding a soundtrack full of chaff. The indomitable Busta Rhymes kicks things off in his own unique way with "Party is Goin' On Over Here." Everlast is next with his catchy little song "Ends," a twangy guitar ode to the evils of money. Interestingly enough, he samples a Wu-Tang Clan song which had already sampled Isaac Hayes' classic "C.R.E.A.M." (there's some kind of irony there but I can't put my finger on it). Alana Davis drags things to a grinding halt with her predictably bland soul/pop number "Can't Find My Way Home," but Curtis Mayfield and Lauryn Hill duet wonderfully on "Here But I'm Gone." Leave it to the man behind the Superfly soundtrack to deliver the goods on a 1970's TV show-to-movie remake like The Mod Squad.
Next up on this lively compilation is The Crash Test Dummies' new single "Keep A Lid On Things." It's a catchy tune utilizing some quirky falsetto and strings while retaining its hip-swaying danceability. The disc manages to sabotage itself with the next song, the ridiculous rap/metal "Goin' Crazy" by SX10. Why is it so many of these aggressive rap acts end up sounding like a parody of the genre? Ah, and then there's Bjork. Her new single "Alarm Call" all but erases the memory of the previous track. Weaving in her usual overdubs and vocal acrobatics, this song has a number of great hooks, begging you to hit the "repeat" button at least once.
The next one, "Hello It's Me" by Gerald Levert, is by-the-numbers R&B, so you'll either love it or hate it depending on your musical leanings. My hat's off to Ivan Matias though. His song "Messin' Around" is a lot of fun, intertwining a human beatbox, a lot of modern R&B vocals, and a piano hook reminiscent of Mungo Jerry's old '70s tune "In the Summertime." It's followed up by a good new recording from the Breeders, a '70s funk gem by Chocolate Milk, a fine Morphine spoken word piece called "You're An Artist," and a jazz instrumental rendition of "My Favorite Things" performed by Skerik and the Keefus Trio.
All in all, this is an enjoyable soundtrack. There are a few eyebrow-raising points here, what with the "first mainstream clothing line specifically inspired by a film" and all, but better that than a bunch of songs that have little or no connection to the film in question. The music keeps up a funky beat throughout, evoking some nice pseudo '70s imagery, and it's a good disc to drive around to. No offense though -- I'm going to pass on the bellbottoms.
