Avengers Soundtrack

The soundtrack to THE AVENGERS is much like the movie itself: you go to see Uma Thurman in skin-tight leather, and stay for the slick, stylized action. In this age when cynical marketing types use the soundtrack as just another tie-in, no other cinematic collection adheres so closely to the spirit and atmosphere of its silver screen raison d'etre. Beginning with Marius De Vries' update of "The Avengers Theme" (complete with techno beat) and ending with the dirgy "Summer's End," sung by Sinead O'Connor, the album moves at a satisfying pace. Grace Jones' contribution, "Storm," would be at home in a James Bond movie. And 1997's big acts, The Verve Pipe and Sugar Ray prove that they aren't just one-hit wonders. Top pick: the Latin-tinged ska of erstwhile Madness leader Suggs' "I Am."