For The Record

Author: Melissa Marshall

There is nothing in the world quite like a well-constructed, thoroughly thought-out, emotionally charged, memory-inducing mixed CD. A mixed CD composed with style, grace and just the right amount of daring has power enough to conjure the joy brought on by the first truly warm day of spring or reenact the sorrow induced when you finally understood the movement of a hand waving you goodbye. And the kicker is that this musical endeavor of epic proportions has to accommodate the aforesaid wide range of passions without compromising the mood of the masterpiece while still replicating the sense of awe felt at the first falling snowflake of the season. Sounds more intimidating than Calculus homework, doesn't it?

I suppose that is why I prefer good mixed CDs as presents over cashmere sweaters, and why I usually despise soundtracks. Although I enjoy a good musical score every now and then, films that package music from popular artists in the hopes that consumers will pay $13.99 for the convenience of having "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Respect" on the same disc bothers my musical conscience more than Now That's What I Call Music Vol. 37. Granted some directors are responsible wielders of art and place songs from underappreciated artists in their films, such as the tracks found in Wes Anderson's magnum opuses, while others just make you downright exuberant - case in point, releases from Love Actually and Forrest Gump. One of the strongest aspects of music as an art form, however, lies in its ability to create personal, emotional connections with the listener, and it is a rare occurrence when a song featured in a film can break away from its connotation with a particular scene and stand as an independent entity in your mind and ear. The Garden State and Cruel Intentions soundtracks are perhaps the shining exceptions to this stigma, featuring complimentary vocals woven with melodies seemingly destined to spoon with one another on the same disc.

The Cruel Intentions soundtrack is veritably vintage (release date 1999), and I'll admit that I have let other soundtracks slip into my player - the crooning DeLovely and the insubstantial yet charming Music From the O.C. to name a few. But no matter what new music I am introduced to, I continue to crawl back to its seductive beats and seamless transitions. The only surprising thing is why I strayed in the first place. The Cruel Intentions soundtrack satisfies every possible duty of film music as well as the demands of a mixed CD. Besides matching the mood of the movie, the album introduces you to stellar releases from obscure artists ("Ordinary Life" by Kristen Barry and "Secretly" by Skunk Anansie), provides established hits to make you feel comfortable while you're wading in unfamiliar waters ("Praise You" by Fatboy Slim and "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve), and offers strong tracks by indie Veterans that may be exotic to even the most well-versed hipster ("Every Me Every you by Placebo and "You Could Make a Killing" by Aimee Mann). Even though the Cruel Intentions soundtrack always delivers a gratifying 57-minute musical experience, the summer of 2004 introduced the "soundtrack as mix tape" ideology to sleepy suburbs and college campuses across the nation.

Whereas the Cruel Intentions soundtrack just happens to play like a gift from a clever suitor, the creators of the Garden State soundtrack obviously took a lesson from Stephen Chbosky's cult-novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Each song is laced with sentiment-stirring power - from nostalgia to loneliness to exhilaration, the album recreates the emotional rollercoaster known as life. With outstanding selections from indie mainstays The Shins and Nick Drake, as well as standout tracks by newcomers Frou Frou and the Cary Brothers, the Garden State soundtrack won a Grammy Award while catapulting the careers of Zero 7 and Iron and Wine. Most importantly, however, it feels intensely personal, and that's what takes it from being a one-night stand on my iPod to a life-long love affair on my playlist.

With the new movie season in full-swing as the holidays approach, I am curious whether the Cruel Intentions and Garden State soundtracks will be introduced to some new faces on my regular rotation. If not, I can always hope for some blank CDs in my stocking.