Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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295 of 312 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Garden" blooms, August 12, 2004
With the exception of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," perhaps no soundtrack this year is as enjoyable as new indie wunderkind Zach Braff's "Garden State." A mix of golden oldies and fresh indie-pop, this is a mellowly sweet collection -- even without the movie.
Braff uses some truly wonderful songs like Frou Frou's fragile "Let Go," Coldplay's quietly downbeat "Don't Panic," and Thievery Corporation's elegantly exotic "Lebanese Blonde." There is also singer/actress Bonnie Somerville's bittersweet "Winding Road," and country-rock newcomer Cary Brothers' dreamy "Blue Eyes."
The best of the soundtrack are the Shins, who get double exposure with the eerily sweet "New Slang" and resonating "Caring is Creepy," and Iron & Wine's lovely cover of "Such Great Heights" (originally by the Postal Service). But Braff also includes older stuff, like Simon & Garfunkel's aching "Only Living Boy in New York" and Nick Drake's surprisingly joyous, upbeat "One of These Things First."
Where Wes Anderson uses beloved oldies, Zach Braff seems to prefer some of the more unusual, eclectic rock and pop. Though it was hard to get some of the music rights on an indie-film budget, Braff won over several artists by showing them where their songs would go -- situated in scenes where they have plenty of impact. Braff doesn't just include a list of his favorite songs, but chooses appropriate music.
But even without the movie, the soundtrack is a good listen. Alt-country, gentle indie-pop, and mellow-ish rock share a quirky, poignant note. Iron & Wine's cover of "Such Great Heights" is the one questionable choice; while it's a good cover, it can't measure up to the Postal Service original (the original was used in the trailer). But taken by itself, it's still a lovely song.
The beautiful music of "Garden State's" soundtrack can serve as a poignant reminder of the movie, or can stand on its own as a good collection of rich music including Zero 7, the Shins, and Frou Frou. Solid collection accompanying a solid movie.
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295 of 313 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
these songs are *extremely* moving. no joke, August 19, 2004
In this movie, Natalie Portman offers Zach Braf her headphones and tells him that the song he is about to listen to will "change his life". This turns out to be no corny movie line and no joke. This is one of the most breathtaking music compilations I have ever heard, and is a touching accompaniment to one of 2004's most important films.
I have little to say, other than this soundtrack earns the highest 5-star review from me. Frou Frou's "Let Go" (featuring Imogen Heap) is stunning, as are songs performed by Coldplay, Zero 7 and The Shins (whose "New Slang" is the life-altering track Portman insists Braf listen to over her headphones).
Complex musical and emotional influences of U2, Coldplay, Catherine Wheel, David Gray, and Simon and Garfunkel drift eerily across the landscapes of both soundtrack and film; those artists' introspective sensibilities playing out in Braf's character's struggle with his own painful self-awareness and search for trust and happiness.
You are guaranteed to appreciate this soundtrack and film to the core of your soul, if you possess the humility and self-consciousness to have ever felt lost, alone, or that certain inexplicable and sometimes uncomfortable vibe that "you still haven't found what you're looking for...."
The highest and most sincere recommendations possible for both the soundtrack and movie.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
almost fires on all cylinders, August 10, 2004
First of all I would like to say- as is the case with most soundtracks- you should see Gardern State before listening to the soundtrack. Now, on to the actual review. The picks are top notch for the most part, great but often overlooked oldies in Drake and Simon and Garfunkel mixed with great but often overlooked current bands like zero 7. I would highly recommend both this soundtrack and the movie.
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