Home Read Classic Album Review: Various Artists | Playing By Heart Soundtrack

Classic Album Review: Various Artists | Playing By Heart Soundtrack

There is little to love about this unfocused romance-movie companion album.

This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):

 


The soundtrack for this star-packed, multi-generational romance may not play by heart, but it does play by the rules.

Mainly, it’s your typical passel of last year’s alt-rock standouts. If you didn’t buy PJ Harvey, Cracker, Morcheeba, Gomez and Bran Van 3000’s latest CDs, now you can sample ’em. As for other stuff, well, there’s an overwrought power ballad by Live’s Ed Kowalczyk and Neneh Cherry, some John Berry and Charlie Haden jazz, and electronica castoffs by Moby and Fluke. Only Ben Lee’s tune — a Beck-ish, funky Cigarettes Will Kill You from his upcoming album — is truly lovable.