American Pie 2

Performer: Original Soundtrack
Engineer: Michael Bradford
Producer: Daniel Rey; Green Day; Jerry Finn; Jimbo Barton; Kenny Gioia; Michael Bradford; American Hi-Fi; Rich Mouser; Rick Beato; Toby Wright; Uncle Kracker; Barrett Jones
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. Audio Mixer: Mike Bradford. The charitable would call the American Pie 2 soundtrack consistent and focussed. The more hard-eyed would spot it for the cookie-cutter, formula-milking creature that it is -- full of the kind of second-generation punk-pop that goes in one ear and out the other faster than one can look up the meaning of "derivative" in the dictionary. Ironically then, it is the unknowns who stand out in the modern-rock-by-numbers assault. Far and away the best songs on the set are Jettingham's "Cheating" ("If I'm leaving with a broken heart, you're leaving with a broken nose") and Fenix*TX's sprightly power pop ode "Phoebe Cates." Also impressive: the mock-aggro hip-hop of Uncle Kracker's "(I'm Gonna) Split This Room in Half." As for the big guns, there's Blink 182 making a return appearance (they were on the first soundtrack as well) and Green Day, both of whom turn in competent, if ordinary, tracks. On the other hand, the best thing that can be said about Alien Ant Farm's "Good (For a Woman)" is that it's not as wretched as their allegedly funny cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal" (which featured on the film but is absent from the album). Throw in a couple of tracks for the ladies -- the smoky, post-Spice Girls dance-pop of Angela Ammons' "Always Getting Over You" and "Halo" by Oleander -- and there is a soundtrack that's entirely predictable and largely one-dimensional, but sporadically enjoyable all the same. ~ Leslie Mathew Continuing down the same alt-pop path as its predecessor, AMERICAN PIE 2 packs its grooves with a mix of established names and promising newcomers. Blink 182 return with a punky flip-off to romance ("Every Time I Look For You") and are joined by Green Day's equally scathing nugget ("Scumbag"), Fenix Tx's lusty ode to an '80s teen-flick icon ("Phoebe Cates") and a poignant look at youth's life choices by 3 Doors Down ("Be Like That"). Other major names making the scene are Uncle Kracker (the chugging jam "[I'm Gonna] Split This Room In Half"'), a nasally Knack-flavored anthem by American Hi-Fi ("Vertigo") and a fuzz-guitar driven nugget by Alien Ant Farm ("Good [For A Woman]"). Thankfully, the newer acts also maintain this flow of catchy tunes and fun vibes. Texas warbler Angela Ammons contributes the airy "Always Getting Over You," Left Front Tire pump up the volume with the mosh-worthy "Bring You Down," Flying Blind take a surf-y turn with "Smokescreen" and chanteuse Lucia lays down some sultry grooves with the hypnotic "I Will." In the end, the platter of musical pastries that makes up AMERICAN PIE 2 will leave you with a satisfying taste of the sugary cake that is contemporary pop.

Spin (1/02, p.77) - Ranked #20 in Spin's "Albums of the Year 2001" - "...Dorky, vulnerable pud-punk....fomenting nostalgia for August 2001..." Q (12/01, p.148) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Another collection of latter-day punk rock..."

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