Romeo & Juliet (1996) [ECD] by Original Soundtrack (CD, Oct-1996, Capitol/EMI Records)

This is a great CD from a great movie...as a fan of Shakespeare, I truely beleive that anything you cna do to bring it to the masses, is a blessing; and this movie which modernized the classic Romeo and juliet was pure genius!!
The soundtrack is also a clever and unique collaboration....the last thing you would think of in a movie that brings to life the works of Shakespeare, is a mix of alternative and rock acts - yet this is what you get and to great effect!!!
Opening with Garbage and "# 1 Crush" - its a dark, sultry track with Shirley Mansons pouty voice over ambient sounds!! Then post grunge alternative act Evercler kick it up a notch with Local God - lyrics have direct relevance to the movie, and its a funky rock track which has a great beat!!! Angel by Gavin friday is in stark contract to the previous two tracks - a soft, whispering vocal over gentle, whimsical music!!
One Inch Punch sound like they could be at home on 'The Crow' soundtrack as much as they are here....a gothic, angry track with superb sound effects!! The Butthole Surfers for me have the stand out track of the album with (Whatever) I had a Dream..hard to describe, but its a deep, sexy, darker track with a cool verse....kinda rocks, kind of funky and ever so unique....an excellent track!!
The Cardigans make an appearance with Lovefool - a big hit for them, I find this a little to upbeat and annoying at times... too poppy for my liking, and also in relation to most of the other tracks on this album!! And Kym Mazelle has a funky track with Young hearts that again sounds like it may be more at home on the Studio 54 soundtrack!! The reworking of 'Everybody's Free to feel good' by Qunidon Tarver, on the other hand is exceptional!!!!
radiohead are never one to dissapointed and produce the other standout of this compilation with "talk show host"...very radiohead - moody, dark with experimental sounds.....and fantastic!!!
This album ends with some notable contracts....the high pitched and angelic voice of Stina Nordenstam with Little Star followed by the decidedly upbeat Wannadies - You and Me Song!!!
This is an album of contrasts...which mirrors the different modes the script takes, which is a clever and exhilarating concept!! Some great tracks from artists known and new to me at least, this is an album I love for the risks it tales and the complexity of tracks!!! A great must have for me!!!