The Last Kiss, starring Zach Braff and Rachel Bilson, will be released to American audiences on September 15th.
The highly anticipated remake of the Italian film, L'ultimo Bacio, boasts not only an all-star cast, but also an outstanding soundtrack. For those who are fans of the Garden State soundtrack, this album will feel a bit like a sequel.
Though Braff put together both albums, this album is significantly more mature than the Garden State soundtrack. As Braff progressively develops the characters that he plays, from a 20-something trying to figure out his path in life to a 30-something questioning his chosen course, the music accompanying the films shows more maturity, both musically and lyrically.
A beautifully tranquil album, The Last Kiss is a treasure trove of some of the most talented contemporary American and British alternative singer-songwriters. However, this treasure trove does hold a couple of pieces of fool's gold. I was expecting another smash from Cary Brothers, whose "Blue Eyes" was the standout track on the Garden State soundtrack.
Yet "Ride" is an electronic jumble of synthetic vocals and nondescript techno beats that detract from the overall song, particularly from the sitar-like guitar in the background. Another track that does not deliver is "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap. The backing organ fuses so fundamentally with the vocals that instead of creating what could have been a beautiful, ethereal song, one is left with a dissonant mess.
Although Rufus Wainwright is a veteran in comparison to most of his counterparts on this album, "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" is a weak point of the album. With repetitive and boring piano chords adding to the monotony of Wainwright's vocals, "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk" is saved from musical suicide only by its bridge composed of soaring strings.
Those tracks not withstanding, the album is beautifully orchestrated and is a truly enjoyable listening experience. The album starts out with "Chocolate" by the buzz band of the moment, Snow Patrol. Braff's choice to start the soundtrack off with this song is brilliant. "Chocolate" is captivating, and the incorporation of a subtle guitar hook draws the listener in from the get-go. Coldplay's "Warning Sign" and Rachel Yamagata's "Reason Why" both incorporate pure and organic piano with refreshingly simple lyrics. Schuyler Fisk and Joshua Radin harmonize beautifully on "Paperweight", and the finger-picking style of guitar playing in the background lends depth to Fisk's breathy vocals. Radin's other contribution to the soundtrack, "Star Mile" is a truly religious experience, with a folksy guitar playing in the background of this bittersweet song. The standout song by far is "Paper Bag" by Fiona Apple. With her blues mama grit, Apple conveys a sense of fervor and hubris, all the while retaining her usual sensuality and femininity.
Overall, this album is incredibly mellow, and glides from one song to the next with ease. Listening to this album feels like re-igniting a relationship with a former lover, completely comfortable, yet simultaneously exciting and fresh. The soundtrack for The Last Kiss is able to bring together songs that one would not normally bring together, and in doing so, warms the heart and leaves one with a sense of calm.
Source: http://trw.umbc.edu
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