Music and Lyrics Soundtrack

Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore star in Words And Music, a romantic comedy about a washed up '80s pop star. Grant's character, who is working on a song for a young pop singer (Haley Bennett), and can't write lyrics, makes an unlikely comeback when he falls for his plant lady (Barrymore), who just happens to be a great lyricist. And what would a movie titled Music And Lyrics be without a soundtrack?

Music And Lyrics is drenched in the synthesized sounds of the 1980s. Acts like Echo & The Bunny Men, Air Supply, Wham, and Debbie Gibson come to mind. Grant's vocal skills lie somewhere between Ric Ocasek (of Cars fame) and Barney Rubble (of Flintstones fame). Barrymore, who duets with Grant on "Way Back Into Love (Demo Version)," has limited vocal abilities; the sandy haired beauty is Betty to Grant's Barney. Barrymore's and Grant's comedic banter on the track, however, is completely sidesplitting.

Grant holds his own vocally on a few of the songs he sings (seven in total). The quirky "Don't Write Me Off," a simple piano/vocal number in the vein of Weird Al Yankovic, is absolutely zany. Grant (as Alex Fletcher) sings lyrics like, "I need you despite the fact that you've killed all my plants," to Barrymore (as Sophie Fisher) in a deadpan delivery that will have listeners laughing out loud. "Pop! Goes My Heart" is a keyboard spiked cut that mimics the stiffness of a lot of electronically inclined '80s hits. A sample heavy arrangement props up Grant's well turned out vocals.

The Sounds, who borrow heavily from The Knack for the jittery "Tony The Beat," will send reformed New Kids On The Block fans into convulsions. The Teddybears kick up a little dance dust on "Different Sound," a gyrating electronica number reminiscent of the Pet Shop Boys. The Sounds and Da Bears are an excellent inclusion on the disc, but they can't beat Grant's "Love Autopsy." The track may only clock in at 40 seconds, but it packs a mighty comedic punch.

The real star of the Music And Lyrics Soundtrack, though, is Haley Bennett. The fresh faced singer/actress makes her acting debut in Music And Lyrics. Bennett possesses a powerful voice. The singer tears it up on the infectious "Buddha's Delight," a track that sounds like something Lindsey Lohan would record. Listeners get a better representation of Bennett's talent, on the final version of "Way Back Into Love." The future chart topper delivers her half of the duet like an old pro.

With Hugh Grant in the lead role, moviegoers can't go wrong with Music and Lyrics. With Hayley Bennett at the wheel for a third of the Soundtrack, listeners can't go wrong, either.

By Todd Sterling