The Triangle

Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: rhino.com/juno The soundtrack showcases the indie style that the recently released film has been awarded for. Many hopefuls believe that the film will merit an Oscar nomination.

It has become evident from past instances that popular movies will find a way into the world of music and the recently released (and heavily praised) coming to age tale, Juno, is no different. I personally have yet to see Juno, but I have read through several synopsizes to get an idea of what the film is all about and if the soundtrack is any indication to what the film has in store, then it definitely sounds like "a comedy about growing up and the bumps along the way," just as the album's tagline suggests. Regardless, this soundtrack review is based purely on the musical content of the CD, neglecting any contextual tie-ins it may have with the film.

This collection of songs, coming from a wide range of artists of different genres and different generations, plays on issues such as love, innocence, friendship, and that ever so popular coming of age theme. The star of this soundtrack is Kimya Dawson, with a total of six tracks or seven if you count the old "Anyone Else but You," performed by the now hiatus Moldy Peaches, a band that Dawson was formerly a member of.

Dawson's previous independent albums have been that of lo-fi homemade taste and that is exactly the style she carries with the songs on this album. Dawson's voice, while gentle and bearing an innocence that goes so well with her words, tends to go in and out of tune quite frequently. This issue seems to get more and more glaring the more times the songs are listened too, but this is to expected with her traditional style - it is just a little something that may come off unpleasing to some.

Aside from Dawson's work, the soundtrack also features a rather varied mix of indie sounding tracks. Most notably, the Kinks' "A Well Respected Man," is featured as the third track and it is definitely the most energetic track of the bunch. The Velvet Underground also makes an appearance towards the end of the soundtrack with "I'm Sticking with You," which is arguably their cheeriest song ever released.

Buddy Holly's sweet "Dearest" makes it in as the fourth track of the album, with a steady voice that seems to serve as equilibrium to Dawson's ever swaying vocals. Sonic Youth's cover of Superstar is also worth mentioning for its interestingly melodic and oddly eerie tune.

After a few times through the album, it feels like I have already experienced Juno merely from my auditory sense, which is great; the album tells a wonderful tale of young love and I save $8.50 on movie admission. This album can be easily labeled as overly cute, as it rightfully should be. This album is incredibly cute, so beware if cute things tend to put you at unease, as you may want to stay away from this release. Though if you are willing to accept all that is cute - faded colors, the 70s, and acoustic guitars - then give the Juno soundtrack a go.

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