Published on Dec 4, 2000
It would be easy, as a man, to write off the soundtrack to the
film
Bounce by simply saying, “Chick flick.” Chances are, if
you’re a guy, you’ve been thinking of reasons not to see this film
with your sweetie.
Ladies, let me talk to the guys here for a minute. Don’t be
offended; you can read the rest of the review. But I need to talk
some sense into my fellow cave-dwellers… and, no, that
doesn’t mean I’ll convince them to take you to see this
movie. I’ve sat through enough crappy films that the wife wanted to
see, and I’m not about to force anyone to go through that kind of
torture. Two words:
Before Sunrise… I
still haven’t forgiven my wife for making me see that
stinkburger.
Guys, don’t be fooled when it comes to this soundtrack. If you
enjoy light pop melodies with a hint of attitude, then Bounce is
going to be an enjoyable CD to listen to.
In fact, there’s only two real weaknesses on this disc. The
first is Carly Simon’s contribution, “Our Affair (Remix)”. Sorry,
Carly, but you haven’t done anything to float my boat since
“Anticipation”… and every time I hear that song these days, I get
a craving for ketchup. (Christ, I’m showing my age with
that crack.) The second, at least, is an ambitious flaw –
and it comes from BT on their track “Never Gonna Come Back Down”. I
don’t know whether they were trying to put a new spin on rap-based
rock or if they were parodying it, but this one just falls off the
speakers with a deafening thud. I will, though, give them points
for moxie.
Yet
Bounce has many more success stories contanied in its tracks
– and some of them might even surprise the ladies. Leigh Nash, best
known as the singer for Sixpence None The Richer, steps into the
solo spotlight with “Need To Be Next To You” and proves that she
could easily juggle solo and band life and make both successful. I
wouldn’t be surprised to see Nash get a solo deal on the strength
of this track. Likewise, Morcheeba (“Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day”),
Angie Aparo (“Hush”) and Anika Paris (“I’m No Ordinary Girl”) leave
positive impressions on the listener.
Perhaps the most intriguing track on
Bounce comes from Delerium – and even though Nettwerk
Records was kind enough to send me this band’s disc recently (memo
to Armand: the review on that one will be up soon), I can’t tell
you much about this group, except they impressed the hell out of
me. Sure, I’d like to call them heirs (pretenders?) to the throne
of Enigma, but if “Silence,” a track featuring the vocal talents of
one Sarah McLachlan, is a portent of things to come on their disc,
I’ll be yanking the shrink-wrap off that disc when I finally get
home.
I could go on and on about the contributions from Sophie B.
Hawkins, Sister Seven, Dido and Beth Orton, but in the end, it’s
the music on
Bounce that speaks volumes. As a compendium of pop music in
late 2000, this is a wonderful slice of what’s out there, and
should make you want to hear more from some of these artists.
And, guys, even if I haven’t convinced you to check out this
disc, then at least consider buying it for your sweetie for the
holidays. It might make up for your not wanting to sit through
another chick flick.