Music and Lyrics [SOUNDTRACK]

Hugh Grant (Performer), Drew Barrymore (Performer)

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 13, 2007)
• Original Release Date: February 13, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000M5B6Q0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #327 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Writer-director Marc Lawrence's romantic comedy gently satirizes the music industry's past and present via Hugh Grant's Alex Fletcher, a has-been Rock of the '80s icon given another shot at the charts by young pop diva Cora Corman (newcomer Haley Bennett). Grant gives some surprisingly credible--if often gently tongue-in-cheek--performances in his musical debut; indeed, he carries better than half the soundtrack with his earnest vocal charms. The production gets key help from Fountain of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger, who contributes a delicious, loving send-up of Wham! courtesy of "Meaningless Kiss," the emotive piano confessional "Don't Write Me Off," and two versions of "Way Back into Love," the comeback ballad/duet that drives the story line. A playful demo version of the latter pairs Grant with co-star Drew Barrymore (playing the florist who becomes Fletcher's unlikely songwriting foil), while Grant's ultimate duet with young Bennett evokes contemporary pop conceits with a keen, affectionate flair that also graces the young singer's Britney-esque "Buddha's Delight," "Slam," and the more obviously snarky "Entering Bootytown." Rounding out the collection are a pair of complimentary tracks by Swedish pop acts: The Sounds' bouncy "Tony the Beat" and the club-slinky groove of Teddybears' "Different Sound." Highlighted by Grant's sympathetic vocals and a knowing musical sensibility that never quite lapses into mere parody, it's a pop-lover's delight from start to finish. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music and Lyrics is a very fun soundtrack, February 28, 2007

By	Robert G Yokoyama (Mililani, Hawaii) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is a fun soundtrack. Most of the tracks are performed by Hugh Grant. I didn't know he could sing so well. My favorite track is Don't Write Me Off. This track shows off his talent as a singer and his skills on the piano. Way Back Into Love is another highlight on this soundtrack. Hugh performs this song as a duet two times on this CD with different partners, and they both sound very good to me. Pop Goes My Heart is an upbeat tune that gets me moving. Meaningless Kiss and Dance With Me Tonight are two other tracks that stand out. Hugh's voice has a romantic quality on these songs. Haley Bennett is the other surprise on this soundtrack. The songs Buddha's Delight and Entering Booty Town are very sensual. Music and Lyrics is the best movie soundtrack of 2007 so far.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Pop Confection : One for the Ages!, February 28, 2007

By	Cabir Davis - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Hugh Grant singing? Now that we know he can, lets discover some more of the gems on this beautiful new CD Release. "Music and Lyrics" has three highlights and heres what they are:

1. The lead single : "Way Back into Love" sung by Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. This playful version is the original film version and its just really exhilirating when you play this loud and sing along. I suspect this song was made simply for the purpose of people humming it all day long and breaking out into song at randoms spots of the day. Truly memorable and an instantly catchy pop ballad - this is actually better than most of the idiotic stuff clogging radio airwaves these days.

2. "Buddha's Delight" by Cora (Haley Bennett) : I just loved this character in the movie. She is a satiric amalgamation of Britney, Jessica, Mandy and Beyonce, all in one gratingly annoying package. However, this song (which is based on Britney's "Toxic" in terms of verse-chorus-verse) is very, very catchy, and its also the best thing on the record. You will be playing this all day long, and kids will love it too. I really like how every song on this record could have been a radio single, and this song is the lead candidate for it. In fact, this song is the reason why I bought this album, and why you should too

3. "POP Goes my Heart" - This exceptional 1980s-type pop song evokes the best bands of that era, primarily Duran Duran, A-Ha and Cutting Crew. What a song! This opens the album and let me tell you - its a single that you will remember ten years from now (fact!). Hugh Grant actually sings on this, and has never sounded better. This is my second favorite song on the record, and another reason you should get this!

The other stunners on this album are "Don't Write Me Off" - an Elton John-ish number by Hugh Grant, and another catchy hook that you will love singing to yourself in the shower.

Drew Barrymore doesn't sing much on this CD - that right goes mostly to Hugh Grant, but she does not sound too terrible. However, the real find here is Haley Bennett who plays Cora, as her numbers have been produced very well.

If you don't normally like movie soundtracks, or even if you do, take my word for it and get yourself a copy of this CD. Its got this timeless quality about it, and I am sure I will be playing this years from now. How many CDs out this year can you say that about?

Five Stars. Highly Recommended.

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Came for the Cuteness, Stayed for the Chemistry, February 20, 2007

By	Audible_Alex - See all my reviews

I came looking just for a pleasant romantic comedy. It is more than pleasant, it is loving and kind and inspiring. It delivers fireworks and teary eyes of joy. It started off pleasant enough and then moved into many more levels. What a wonderful way to spend some time! Good music, good lyrics, good acting, good script adds up to a great movie!