Buffy the Soundtrack

For want of a better introduction, allow me to describe the (completely pointless and uneventful) circumstances surrounding my purchase of the relevant soundtrack:

I do not ordinarily buy "song" soundtracks. I love "score" soundtracks, but ones with songs usually have only a few good tracks, and are not worth the money. At least in my opinion. However, on browsing through the "Soundtracks" category at an HMV in Glasgow, I came across a pink CD I had not seen on any previous visit (nor would I find it in any other store - for a while). Picking it up, I saw - to my great surprise - that it was the soundtrack for Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie - obviously). I checked to see if one existed for the series (it didn't), and proceeded to examine the case of the one I held in my hand.

Now, I enjoyed the '80s style music in the movie (made in 1992!) but was not at all sure I would appreciate it out of the context of the film itself (I could only recall two tracks off hand) and declined to purchase the CD. As I walked around the town that day, the CD kept popping back into my mind. I love the movie, right? I want any merchandise that exists in connection to the movie, right? I have 17 pounds (or whatever) right? Why not buy it? So I traipsed back to the store, and forked over the cash, extremely nervous that it would, pardon the expression, suck. Later that day, back at home by now, I popped the CD into my player.

It was great! My relief was palpable (I hate to waste money - I've done it far too often!) and I could sit back and listen to the CD in peace.

The point? If anyone else out there feels the same way, I recommend expunging your hesitancy and dealing out the dough. (Note my frivolous and unnecessary use of the word 'expunge' - just thought it sounded cool!) It may just be worth it. NOTE: I have little real knowledge of music, and nothing approaching a qualification to review music. Please take all my comments as an amateur's opinion, and nothing else!

And now, to the review... I will examine the CD track-by-track.

Track 1: "Keep it Comin' (Dance Till You Can't Dance No More)" - C&C Music Factory (featuring Q-Unique and Deborah Cooper)

Okay, I'll admit it: I'm not a hip-hop fan. But, for whatever reason, I like this song! I don't know, maybe it's due to the context in the movie (I love the scene - where we segue from the medieval Slayer to cheerleading Buffy!) but it's just fun, bouncy, and pretty catchy. A slight problem on my copy - I don't know if it's the same on all of them or just mine (or just the batch mine was produced with). At one point the sound drops out for a second. Anyone else have this problem?

This track plays in the background at the Cafe Blase, and can barely be heard in the movie. Anyway, the song's all right. It's a neat, hip-hop type of reggae song. The styles don't blend all that well, but it doesn't clash terribly either. The lyrics are fun, and certainly in keeping with the movie's feministic theme, but the song ultimately ends up somewhat bland. I don't know why.

Incidentally, the rhyme quoted in this song ("One, two, three, Auntie Lulu!" or whatever) is apparently part of a skipping rope game in Jamaica! My mother's Jamaican and was drawn into one of those "I remember that!" reminiscences on hearing the song.

Now this is more like it! The first two tracks were okay, but this song marks the start of what I consider to be the best segment on the CD (it lasts until Track 6). Not that I'm claiming this to be one of the greatest rock tracks in history, but it's quite good really. Not too heavy, not too soft, and sung with a clear voice. The tune has a slightly ominous hint to it (and I mean slightly) raising it above the ordinary flat music one often hears in this type of music, and the lyrics support this feel. Maybe it has to do with growing up in the '80s, but I just really like this type of music. See what you think. In the movie, it plays while Buffy and Pike are preparing for the dance.

Aha! Possibly the best track on the album (the next one probably beats it in my opinion), The Bangles' lead vocalist Susanna Hoffs performs Danny Elfman's song admirably, with plenty of emotion. This is the song that ends the movie (until the diVinyls' "I Ain't Gonna..." [Track 6] takes over for the tail-end of the credits) as Buffy and Pike ride off into the sunset (and the hilarious TV report covers the incidents in the gym hall - and Amilyn finally dies). It's a truly beautiful song, with powerful lyrics. I have never heard another actual song written by Elfman (not counting The Nightmare Before Christmas stuff). He should do it more often, on the strength of this one. Danny Elfman, for anyone who might not actually know, is primarily a score composer - Tim Burton's first choice, in fact. In addition, Susanna Hoffs improves the song even more with her distinctive vocals. I was never an actual fan of the Bangles, but she really does have a lovely voice.

The main reason I bought this album. To be sure, I didn't recognise the title or the band, but when paying for the CD I consoled myself with the hope that the song would be one of those listed on the CD. Every time I see the scene where Buffy and Pike dance at the Senior Dance, I turn up the volume for this wonderful song. I was incredibly pleased when this track played on the CD, relieved that it was, in fact, included on the soundtrack. Actually, since then I have bought the Toad CD 'In Light Syrup' - a collection of rare (or alternate versions of) songs of theirs. It, too, is excellent and I intend to buy more of their albums. The only store I've found in Glasgow that stocks more than one album (the latest) of theirs is 'Borders' - a book store! It's also the only place I could find Jennifer Love Hewitt's "Let's Go Bang" album - but that's another story.

I will admit right now that I have no idea what this song is about. However, the tune and the vocals (what's the singer's name?) are incredibly beautiful. This song has become one of my favorites of all time. (In case anyone's interested, my all-time favorite song is the Tony Arata-penned 'The Dance', sung by Garth Brooks.) It's worth the price of the CD for this alone (though if you don't fancy the other tracks, buy Toad's 'In Light Syrup' which also carries 'Little Heaven').

The tail end of my favorite segment. Like "Silent City" (track 3) I wouldn't consider this a classic, but I like it quite a bit. It comes from the scene where Buffy begins intense training (after punching Merrick without breaking a nail).

The diVinyls are not a favorite band of mine, having gained notoriety with the song "I Touch Myself" (which, in a nice piece of coincidence, Buffy refers to in the series episode "Lie to Me" - and Willow discovers to her horror what the song is about) but that does not depreciate the song in any way for me. The vocals are a little scratchy but adequate, and the tune is nice. Again, neither too heavy, nor too light. (Does anyone else get the feeling the director was trying not to offend anyone? Unfortunately, this falls apart with the final track...)

Hmmmmm.... I am definitely not an Ozzy fan. In fact, I kind of hate the guy. Having said that, this song is pretty inoffensive. I can listen to it. I guess it was included in the movie to fit the 'vampiric' mood - it starts just before the vampires crash the party. In this context, I suppose it's acceptable. I don't mind the song too much, I guess.

This one's all right. A little above average, I suppose. There's something about the kind of 'muted' sound (I don't know how else to describe it, I'm afraid) in this type of song that keeps me from getting particularly excited about it. Still, it's good enough, and fits the mood for the scene in the movie (the vampire/van chase scene with Amilyn on the roof). Worth listening to.

Pike's kind of music (he listens to it in his room when Benny appears), this is pretty good, too. It's a cover, of course, but a good one. I've always found the song to be reasonable, and Mary's Danish (where did that name come from? Come to think about it, Toad the Wet Sprocket - see above - is a tad odd also) do a pleasantly upbeat rendition here. It's not too bland, and keeps the attention pretty well. Not a highlight, but definitely in the top region of this (admittedly small) barrel.

I'm afraid there's not much I can tell you about this track, as I can't stand to listen to it! I barely hung on all the way through it the first time (hey, I'll give almost anything a chance) but could not bring myself to do so again. It's a disgusting metallic track with that kind of detestable growling vocals I hate so much about extreme metal music. I believe the title ("Light Comes Out of Black") and, thus, the theme of the song is inspired by the phenomenon in physics known as 'black-body radiation'! I don't know why this inspired a song (I would guess it serves as a metaphor for evil providing some kind of benefit to the universe - but I don't want to listen to the track again to determine whether or not this is accurate) but I do know one thing: it shouldn't have! As far as I'm concerned, the album ends with Mary's Danish singing 'I Fought the Law'. Track 10? What track 10?

Buffy the Vampire Slayer soundtrack available via Columbia records.