Garden State - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
Writer and director Zach Braff does a masterful job matching the charming, heartfelt tone of films like The Graduate and Rushmore in his motion picture debut, Garden State, so it only makes sense that the music he personally compiled for the soundtrack plays just as of big a part here as it did in those films. Simon & Garfunkel's languorous "The Only Living Boy in New York" is an obvious thread, but aside from Nick Drake's "One of These Things First," Braff is able to carry the mood without getting tripped up in the past. Frou Frou's "Let Go" and Zero 7's "In the Waiting Line" supply soft techno touches, while Iron & Wine's "Such Great Heights" and former Men at Work singer Colin Hay's "I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You" offer understated angst. It's the pair of emotionally racked contributions from the Shins ("Caring Is Creepy," "New Slang"), however, that really make this compilation a must-have. --Aidin Vaziri

Album Description
Soundtrack to eagerly anticipated 2004 film features music from Coldplay, The Shins, Zero 7, Colin Hay, Cary Brothers, Remy Zero, Nick Drake, Thievery Corporation, Simon & Garfunkel, Iron & Wine, Frou Frou, & Bonnie Somerville.

Customer Reviews: Read 306 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

"Garden" blooms August 13, 2004
294 out of 311 found this review helpful

With the exception of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," perhaps no soundtrack this year is as enjoyable as new indie wunderkind Zach Braff's "Garden State." A mix of golden oldies and fresh indie-pop, this is a mellowly sweet collection -- even without the movie.

Braff uses some truly wonderful songs like Frou Frou's fragile "Let Go," Coldplay's quietly downbeat "Don't Panic," and Thievery Corporation's elegantly exotic "Lebanese Blonde." There is also singer/actress Bonnie Somerville's bittersweet "Winding Road," and country-rock newcomer Cary Brothers' dreamy "Blue Eyes."

The best of the soundtrack are the Shins, who get double exposure with the eerily sweet "New Slang" and resonating "Caring is Creepy," and Iron & Wine's lovely cover of "Such Great Heights" (originally by the Postal Service). But Braff also includes older stuff, like Simon & Garfunkel's aching "Only Living Boy in New York" and Nick Drake's surprisingly joyous, upbeat "One of These Things First."

Where Wes Anderson uses beloved oldies, Zach Braff seems to prefer some of the more unusual, eclectic rock and pop. Though it was hard to get some of the music rights on an indie-film budget, Braff won over several artists by showing them where their songs would go -- situated in scenes where they have plenty of impact. Braff doesn't just include a list of his favorite songs, but chooses appropriate music.

But even without the movie, the soundtrack is a good listen. Alt-country, gentle indie-pop, and mellow-ish rock share a quirky, poignant note. Iron & Wine's cover of "Such Great Heights" is the one questionable choice; while it's a good cover, it can't measure up to the Postal Service original (the original was used in the trailer). But taken by itself, it's still a lovely song.

The beautiful music of "Garden State's" soundtrack can serve as a poignant reminder of the movie, or can stand on its own as a good collection of rich music including Zero 7, the Shins, and Frou Frou. Solid collection accompanying a solid movie.

5 out of 5 stars

these songs are *extremely* moving. no joke August 19, 2004
293 out of 311 found this review helpful

In this movie, Natalie Portman offers Zach Braf her headphones and tells him that the song he is about to listen to will "change his life". This turns out to be no corny movie line and no joke. This is one of the most breathtaking music compilations I have ever heard, and is a touching accompaniment to one of 2004's most important films.

I have little to say, other than this soundtrack earns the highest 5-star review from me. Frou Frou's "Let Go" (featuring Imogen Heap) is stunning, as are songs performed by Coldplay, Zero 7 and The Shins (whose "New Slang" is the life-altering song Portman insists Braf listen to on her headphones).

The complex musical and emotional influences of U2, Coldplay, Catherine Wheel, David Gray, and Simon and Garfunkel drift across the landscapes of both the soundtrack and film, with those artists' introspective sensibilities playing out in Braf's struggle with his own painful self-awareness and search for trust and happiness.

You are guaranteed to love and appreciate this soundtrack - and the movie for that matter - to the core of your soul, if you possess the humility and self-consciousness to have ever felt lost, alone, or that certain inexplicable and sometimes uncomfortable vibe that "you still haven't found what you're looking for...."

The highest and most sincere recommendations possible for both the soundtrack and movie.

5 out of 5 stars

almost fires on all cylinders August 10, 2004
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

First of all I would like to say- as is the case with most soundtracks- you should see Gardern State before listening to the soundtrack. Now, on to the actual review. The picks are top notch for the most part, great but often overlooked oldies in Drake and Simon and Garfunkel mixed with great but often overlooked current bands like zero 7. I would highly recommend both this soundtrack and the movie.

1 out of 5 stars

Find your own damn music September 3, 2004
17 out of 80 found this review helpful

ok, so you faux-indie kids really dig the movie, fine, but quit going around like this is the newest thing you just found that nobody's ever heard of, cause it's getting annoying. yes, this album is full of top-notch acts, but it's also full of the poppiest, best-known acts in the supposed "indie underground". If you wanna use this as a jumping-off point to getting into actual good, hard-working, dedicated acts, all the better, but quit telling me how awesome the movie is and how these songs changed your life. i'm not saying you're sheep (that's for god and jesus to say), i'm saying you're fish, and just cause you found a less-known stream, it doesn't mean you've changed directions or destinations.

3 out of 5 stars

good... but it's no Wicker Park August 19, 2004
15 out of 34 found this review helpful

When I heard the list of artists that would be on this sound track I got excited... Then when the track listing was finally announced, I was disappointed to find that it was a cool indie collection of songs I already had on CD or mp3. Don't get me wrong this is a good CD for someone looking to turn themselves on to some great new music, but if you are a fan of any of these acts its just nothing new. On the other hand I just read the track listing for the sound track to the movie WICKER PARK and it is filled with unreleased rare tracks by the likes of THE SHINS, THE STILLS and POSTAL SERVICE. I read that there is also a cover of COLDPLAY's the scientist on there too! So I am not trying to hate on this CD but I just think your money would be better spent on a compilation of songs that you could not easily get anywhere else. Check it out for your self.

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