Orange County [2 CD]

Performer: Original Soundtrack
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Contains a limited edition bonus CD of new music from new artists. Orange County tries to achieve a fairly lofty goal: the album is not only the soundtrack to the movie but is supposed to be a soundtrack (of sorts) to the namesake California suburb. Much of this music seems to capture the feel of the area, but at times it also reflects how bad the music associated with that scene can be. The band who belongs here the most is the Offspring; as locals of the area they contribute a strong original composition that could have appeared on one of their first two albums, "Defy You." 12 Rods have a great riff to back up "Glad That It's Over," even if the song is overlong. Quarashi has the same scenario, except their song stays interesting because of the excellent vocals that alternate between an At the Drive-In-style rage and a deep, Everlast-like coolness. But the post-Sugar Ray vibe of Bad Ronald's terrible "1st Time" is a reminder of how bad this teen-friendly pop can be. The song is incredibly catchy, simplistic, and packed with every sort of sample and musical flourish imaginable, and still falls completely flat. Brian Wilson's "Lay Down Burden" and "Love and Mercy" are probably the two best songs here; they may not fit into the cookie-cutter alternative format, but they feel much more like California than anything Crazy Town has to offer. And Cake and Pete Yorn stick out with excellent songs that do not gel with the rest of the material on the album, making this hard to listen to in order. Basically, the soundtrack never quite gets off the ground because of the bad track order and uneven selections, but this is the norm with these goofy teen comedy soundtracks, so no one should be that surprised. [Certain copies of the disc come with an extra CD of music from Zebrahead, Riddlin' Kids, Ill Kidd, and the Ataris.] ~ Bradley Torreano The soundtrack to this movie about mistaken identity in continuing education in Southern California is packed with both newer MTV-friendly acts and some welcome reappearances by those of yesteryear, all of whom make this original soundtrack album well worth the price of admission. The Offspring contribute a rarity in the incendiary "Defy You," and those hardy LA perennials Social Distortion, give a live rendition of the "Story of My Life" that has echoes of the Beatles' "In My Life" as seen through the eyes of fin de siecle LA punk rock kids, and also reminds us that Social Distortion are the ancient ancestors of such latter day punks as Green Day. No California-based movie worthy of the name would be complete without a Brian Wilson song, and here two are featured, performed by the man himself--"Lay Down Burden," a slice of MOR that still manages to retain some youthful innocence, and "Love and Mercy," a neat little number that both harks back to '60s Beach Boys glory days and reflects on more contemporary concerns. No stranger to film soundtracks (he did the score to the Farrelly Brothers' ME, MYSELF AND IRENE), Pete Yorn contributes "Lose You," a minor slacker classic.

Q (3/02, p.130) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Teen angst is the main flavor...confused but fun..."

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