This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
The music biz, like the movie industry, increasingly seems to live by a simple, single rule of thumb: If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing again. And again. And yet again — as long as the suckers are still buying.
Maybe that’s why so many movies these days pack all the surprise of a J. Lo wedding announcement. And why so many soundtracks seem to have almost nothing to do with the movies they’re supposed to complement.
Exhibit 687: Elektra: The Album, the latest set of pummelling post-grunge and brooding balladry cobbled together to accompany a Marvel comic-book flick. Admittedly, Wind-up Records, the folks behind this youth-targeted disc and the home of spiritual rockers like Evanescence and Creed, didn’t patent the idea; that badge of infamy belongs to the makers of the Spider-Man soundtrack. But with this set and its Daredevil predecessor, Wind-up have clearly perfected the formula: 1) Recycle a bunch of similar-sounding tracks from your label’s catalogue; 2) Shell out for a few exclusive cuts from name acts; 3) Toss in bits of pop, punk and emo to broaden the demographic appeal; 4) Add plenty of power ballads for the makeout scenes; 5) Reheat and spoonfeed to the high-school cafeteria crowd.
Having said all that, though, after wading through Elektra: The Album, you admit there are a few bright spots to be found. Here’s a track-by-track guide.
Strata | Never There (She Stabs) 3:44
These California up-and-comers set the tone with this by-the-numbers slab of melodic post-grunge from their recent debut. Bonus points: The lyrics kinda vaguely sound like they go with the movie.
Jet | Hey Kids 2:58
On this new cut, the Australian garage-rockers temper their AC/DC power-chord licks with some nostalgic lyrics and whoo-ho-hoo harmonies. Token political lyric: “Hey old man, remember Vietnam? / You hated Vietnam, but you dig Afghanistan.”
The Donnas | Everyone is Wrong 3:28
Speaking of AC/DC, the hard-rocking gals dish up a little bad-boy boogie on this chunky choogler featuring Brett Anderson’s new breathier vocal style. Lyric with most teen-boy appeal: “If I don’t laugh and make you look good / And talk about your morning wood.”
Switchfoot | Sooner or Later 4:09
The sibling-led San Diego Christian-rockers slow it down with this pretty electro-ballad based on a plucky acoustic guitar and adorned with orchestral touches. Lyric with most teen-boy appeal (for all the wrong reasons): “I’d love to find you, down on my knees.”
Finger Eleven | Thousand Mile Wish (Elektra Mix) 4:00
Burlington’s favourite sons retool a ballad from their self-titled 2003 album. I’d tell you exactly how it differs from the original, but then I’d have to listen to a Finger Eleven song intentionally.
Megan McCauley | Wonder 3:53
No, not the woman from Will & Grace. New Wind-up discovery Megan McCauley is a teen singer-songwriter whose debut disc is due in summer. If this Evanescence-inspired cut is any sign, the big-lunged Megan can belt out a chest-beating power ballad with the best of them. Or at least with Evanescence.
Taking Back Sunday | Your Own Disaster 5:43
Geez, another ballad? OK, this swirly piano-fuelled tearjerker from the New York emo-punks is perfect for the last slow-dance at the prom. But for an album called Elektra, this is quickly turning out to be less than electrifying.
Evanescence | Breathe No More 3:48
This cut from the Ben Moody-less Evanescence is also on their new live set Anywhere But Home, though it fits better here. Why? Because it’s another freaking piano ballad. Getting sleepy now …
12 Stones | Photograph 3:58
Singer Paul McCoy had a cameo on Evanescence’s Bring Me To Life. And just in the nick of time, these N’Awlins rockers reanimate this disc with a thudding blast from last year’s Potter’s Field.
Alter Bridge | Save Me 3:27
The good news: Without singer Scott Stapp and his messiah complex, the rest of Creed don’t suck quite as much. The bad news: As this turgid turd of chugging, vaguely retro God-rock makes blindingly obvious, they still suck plenty. “When will it end?” bellows Myles Kennedy. Not soon enough, sadly.
The Dreaming | Beautiful 3:03
More newbies. Whoever The Dreaming are, at least they try to expand their slamming power-chord riff-rock with squishy synths, falsetto vocals and quiet-loud dynamic variation.
Submersed | Hollow 4:04
Another unsubtle brick of plodding post-grunge, soaring vocals and squiggly textures, borrowed from the band’s last album. On the plus side, this track does live up to its title.
Hawthorne Heights | Angels With Even Filthier Souls 2:55
Not only do this Ohio emo quintet win the prize for best song title here; this brittle shard of anxiety and yearning, with its inventive guitar interplay and ironic snatch of cowbell rock, is a much-needed breath of fresh air and creativity amid the sludge that chokes this disc.
The Twenty Twos | 5 Years 3:52
These up-and-coming co-ed New Yorkers channel the spirit of Veruca Salt, — with a dash of No Doubt sass — on this sugary little pop-rock buzz-bomb. In case you were wondering, it’s not a cover of the David Bowie classic, but it’s a standout anyway.
Full Blown Rose | In the Light 4:13
The mandatory closing ballad, dutifully supplied by a female-fronted bunch of Evanescence wannabes.
