Soundtrack

It's more than a little unfortunate that the movie What a Girl Wants has been panned so badly. (One reviewer said, "Apparently, not much.") It's not like it was pretentious -- we all knew it was lightweight and lighthearted fun destined for rental, not box office success. Maybe if the movie's detractors had listened to the soundtrack first, they would have been more forgiving.

Duncan Sheik has always written some of the most articulate and thoughtful pop music this side of Crowded House's Neil Finn. "Half Life" features his mellow baritone at its most thoughtful and romantic. When he sings, "C'mon let's fall in love," it's next to impossible not to fall into step.

Although she's been under the radar for awhile, Meredith Brooks is always a welcome addition to any rock and roll collection. "Crazy" showcases her gutsy, gravelly voice and crunchy guitar style. Often, song placement on a soundtrack like this is the first step on the comeback trail. We can only hope. It's been close to ten years since her original breakthrough album.

Twenty-three years after its first release, The Clash's "London Calling" remains a rock and roll call to arms. It's never lost its punk snarl, however many films the song is featured in.

It's that same strut and swagger that The Donnas carry on when they play "Who Invited You?" The sense of indignation the group adds to this ode to the party crasher makes the song just short of hysterically funny -- but just. It's to seriously good to be lumped in with novelty songs.

But the greatest, lasting tribute to that gorgeous girl, the one who really flips your burger, comes later: Rick Derringer's "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo." With some of the best riffs in the business, melodies and rhythm to shake your moneymaker, this is the best of the classic rock on this album (and arguably the most memorable scene in the movie).

A collection of current hits peppered with new songs and salted with tried and true classics, the soundtrack album to What a Girl Wants is an endearing collection of music. Surely this movie is worth renting, but just as surely the album is worth having. They might not have done much with the script but the soundtrack is great. It's a shamelessly fun collection of songs.

By Rob Boss