Catch and Release [SOUNDTRACK]

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 23, 2007)
• Original Release Date: January 23, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000LPR5CA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,091 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Fans of (largely) mellow songs by (mostly) American indie rock outfits should snap up this superior soundtrack. Representative of the mood is "Pills" by Gary Jules--an original song that feels as Cat Stevens–indebted as Jules's popular cover of "Mad World" on the Donnie Darko soundtrack. Foo Fighters' "Razor" and Paul Westerberg's "Let the Bad Times Roll" see these acts at their calmest. Largely acoustic and gently paced, the CD almost never raises its pulse, and even when it does, as with Audible's "Sky Signal," it remains appealingly melodic. While most of the tracks are from the mid-'00s, it's great to hear the Lemonheads's 1992 "My Drug Buddy" again--it still counts as one of Evan Dando's finest moments. And although the flavor is largely American, trips across the pond result in lovely tracks by the Magic Numbers who supply their customary Mamas and Papas-influenced harmonies on "Mornings Eleven," and by Gomez with their shuffling "These 3 Sins." --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Special, Brilliant Soundtrack, March 3, 2007

By	Thomas D. Ryan "American Hit Network" (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Perhaps the oddest thing about being a music reviewer is the way that it causes such a social imbalance in my life. The average person watches a lot of television, sees two or three movies each month, and listens to whatever pleases them. I, however, watch very little television, virtually never go to the movies, and listen to dozens of albums that mean virtually nothing to me. It causes a social imbalance that ultimately renders my opinions on music obtuse, because I am clueless regarding most aspects of pop culture. I bring this up because I'm fairly certain that I will never see the movie "Catch and Release," but I've listened to the soundtrack a few times now, and I think it's great.
As a soundtrack, "Catch and Release" features some of the most intelligent and tuneful pop music I've heard in a while. You'd expect as much from Death Cab for Cutie and Gomez, but it's the more obscure acts who really bring something special to this collection. I've never heard of Blinker the Star, or The Magic Numbers, or Gary Jules, but if this is representative of their work, I want to hear more by them. The songs they contribute here are bright, imaginative and impossible to forget. As soundtrack fodder, the material is excellent. As a mix-tape of cleverly chosen and challenging music, it's virtually faultless. Foo Fighters kick off the disk with one of their best acoustic-based tracks ever, a pensive, moody piece called "Razor," and the pace continues for the next seventeen tracks. Besides the above, other highlights include The Lemonheads ("My Drug Buddy"), New Radiant Storm King ("The Winding Staircase") and Paul Westerberg ("Let the Bad Times Roll"), interspersed with surprisingly addictive obscurities by Peter Maclaggan ("Leaving the Ground"), Alaska (Resistance"), Steve Durand ("Electrified and Ripe"), and Sky Signal ("L'Audible"), ending with a beautifully melodic rocker by The Doves called "There Goes the Fear." Who are these people? It is stunning to hear how well this soundtrack works as a complete listening experience. Why did I need a soundtrack album to introduce me to these artists? That used to be radio's job, but we all know we can no longer rely on the radio to introduce high quality new music. Apparently, that job has been assigned to film soundtracks.
I may never see this movie, but I'm willing to bet that "Catch and Release" will be the best soundtrack album of 2007. I need to get out more. A Tom Ryan

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simplicity can be a wonderful thing, January 27, 2007

By	Ashley Bernatchez - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This movie was amazing and beautiful. It was sad, adorable, and hilarious. The theater would actually crack up many times, and even once, we all "awwwwwwwwwww"-ed together. However, I found myself actually whispering to my friend, "I NEED THIS SOUNDTRACK!" This is one of those movies where you can't help but notice how perfect the songs fit in with the film. The music actually made the movie THAT much better.

I definately recommend this soundtrack to anyone who loves this movie, or anyone who is looking for a great relaxing CD to listen to while your driving, or just hanging around the house!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely and well-done soundtrack, May 22, 2007

By	A reader in Upstate, NY (Rhinebeck, NY) - See all my reviews

I was surprised by how much I liked the music in this "chick flick" -- the songs were a lot more deep and interesting than I expected (actually the film was pretty good and thoughtful, too, but that's not the point here). Anyway, good songs, they work well together, and it's really an enjoyable indie pop mix. Nice job, music supervisor!