Original Soundtrack
10 Things I Hate About You (Hollywood 62216)

Typical patchwork assortment of semi-current alternapop, a couple covers, a couple old funk tunes, and some score music. Nothing too memorable here, and having not seen the movie I can't speak of how meaningful any of the songs are in context. Chances are, none is that meaningful.

My apologies if 10 Things I Hate About You is your favorite movie, in which case you'll probably love the soundtrack. Letters To Cleo, whose big career break came by being featured in the credits to "Melrose Place," weighs in with two decent covers, "I Want You to Want Me" and "Cruel to Be Kind."

Like most covers, you're no worse off having not heard 'em, but they're pleasant enough since you'll recognize 'em if you do. Undoubtedly one or more was played during the credits. A highly unmemorable contribution by Semisonic, an annoying one by Sister Hazel, a decent one by Save Ferris (who, cheesy though they may be, I like for some reason, though I'd never buy their CDs), a couple of no-names (Leroy, Ta-Gana), etc. "Atomic Dog" appears, as does "Dazz" by Brick.

A Joan Armatrading song? The teens can't get enough Joan Armatrading! Actually, it's one of the better tracks on the CD. A pretty typical Cardigans song ("War"), a cut by Madness ("Wings of a Dove"), who are always a welcome band on a soundtrack or compilation. Not much to say about this one; it's as generic as it was obviously aiming to be.

The great tracks you can get elsewhere, so unless you are a Letters to Cleo die-hard (does such a person exist?) or just like CDs with teenagers wearing tight shirts, you can safely skip this without missing out on anything.

Loud Bassoon rating scale

Review by Ben Downhearted