Published on Mar 27, 2000
I’ve never been a fan of television show
The X-Files. Not owning a television set might have
something to do with it, but I don’t think so. I tried to acquaint
myself with the serial by taking advantage of the VHS rentals and
utilizing my boyfriend’s TV and VCR. Unfortunately, the episode I
rented had some inane story about liver flukes the size of humans
living in the hull of a Russian tanker ship. This was completely
off-putting and I haven’t dipped my toe in the pool since.
Also I have a problem with the formula: girl likes boy, boy
likes girl, but neither has the chutzpah to make a move. It gets
old! Sorry, if I’ve offended any “x-philes” out there. I’m just
expressing an opinion and at the same time explaining why I missed
The X-Files – The Movie.
So why would I review a soundtrack to a movie I could care less
about? Simply, because this album is packed with some superb
musical moments! And to tell the truth, if the cohesion and mood
expressed on this album is in any way exhibited in the movie, I
might have to head to the video store again.
Some of the strongest and most innovative influences in
alternative music are represented on this album and there is not a
weak spot to be found. We can thank the producers Don Was and Chris
Carter for their excellent discrimination in putting this package
together.
Most notable are the cover songs and reworkings of originals.
Filter opens the album with a cover of Harry Nilsson’s “One”. This
is more than a cover; it’s an appropriation. You can barely make
out the song through the rain of guitars and vocal anguish. The
band X gives us a cover of the Doors’ “Crystal Ship” which
threatens to outdo the original.
And Sting and Sarah McLachlan may have bested their originals
with new renditions of “Invisible Sun” and “Black”, respectively.
Sting duets with Aswad and the reggae additive in the Police’s
early work bursts forth with full flavor in this marvelous
version.
Other contributions to this show case come from Björk with
the mesmerizing “Hunter”, The Cardigans with the cool “Deuce”, Soul
Coughing’s distinctive sound on “16 Horses” and Ween’s wacky
“Beacon Light”.
There are two instrumentals. The album would not be complete
without “The X-Files Theme” courtesy of the Dust Brothers. And
there is a surprisingly good instrumental by Noel Gallagher, of
Oasis.
The album is rounded out with performances by Tonic, The Foo
Fighters, The Cure and Better Than Ezra making this album a virtual
smorgasbord of alternative goodies. Fill up and go back for
seconds!