Its a boring day, I have nothing better to do but slowly wither away working on my college homework or playing Counter Strike. Instead of being the totally geeky nerd that I am, I thought, hey, why the hell don't I check out random crap on rhapsody.com? So surfing through the latest music by one of the best indie outfits IMO, The Shins, I noticed that they were part of a compilation labeled The Spongebob Squarepants Soundtrack. Holy crap that is completely awesome. I remembered watching the movie and it being surprisingly above average, especially for a kid's-type movie, so I thought that maybe the soundtrack would be about the same.
Sweet parallel-parking Christ, I could not believe how awesome this album was. It contained music from some of my favorite and soon-to-be favorite bands. The Shins, Wilco, Ween, The Flaming Lips, I mean c'mon...THE FLAMING LIPS!! If there is anything that the creator of this show has, it was an 'effing good taste in music.
What is even more surprising is the album's versatility. There is at least one song on this album you will like. The test hasn't failed yet on anyone that I am aware of, but most of my friends have similar tastes as I do musically, so it might be a little bit biased in that way. What I am trying to say though, is that despite the name, if you give the album a chance, most of these songs, especially two or three of them, will rub you the right way, and it feels great.
Because I am a n00b to this site, I will present these as a track by track review, but don't worry it will be okay, just long as hell.
1. Spongebob Squarepants Theme - Please, whatever you do, try not to judge the rest of the album from this song. Instrumentally, I think this almost-minute long diddy is quite kickin'. The singer, however, is a different story, as it is the punk princess of wanna-be Avril Lavigne. But is it truly possible to ruin such a catchy song as Spongebob's title song with pretty decent punk instrumentals? You bet your sweet anus it is. This track does make a decent opener however, as it brings forth to us what this whole album is about. This song does end up making a good laugh, thank God it isn't longer. 3 out of 5
2. Sponegebob & Patrick Confront The Psychic Wall Of Energy - This song is so awesome. All in all it is mostly a love/hate song, as it is the great Lips singing it, and they are a band most people either love or hate. If you do love the Flaming Lips (as I most surely do) then you, my lovely reader, are in for quite a treat. It is highly upbeat, with some neat effects going on in the background. I especially like the synth and the bubble blower; they really add a psychedelic feel to this song, which, I could only assume is the point of it. 6 out of 5 (I know its not possible BUT ITS THE LIPS!!!)
3. Just A Kid - An incredibly simple drum beat starts this song by Wilco, and despite the irritation I get from some The White Stripe songs, it suits the song adequtely. Highly repeditive, but that isn't always a bad thing. In fact, you will most certainly find yourself singing, "everybody, everybody, everybody" the next day. 4.5 out of 5
4. The Goofy Goober Song - Well this song is certainly interesting...It has an old-school slow techno feel, in the background of the goofy goober song. There are also some audio quotes from the movie in between. It must be listened to and judged accordingly to your tastes, as I cannot truly explain it. It will also make no sense unless you have seen the movie. Some of my other friends claim that this song is much cooler under substance abuse, and because they are huge druggies, I trust 'em. 4 out of 5
5. Prince Paul's Bubble Party - Just when you think you are free from odd remixes from the movie, here comes another one at full force. I am currently debating on buying a shirt from Tshirthell.com that says "support fine arts, shoot a rapper," so I might be a bit biased towards this song. Once again a pretty well thought out backbeat, just doesn't feel too right with the rapping though. Whoever the Waikikis are, they are at least mediocre at rapping, with an old-school feel. I still pretty much hate this song, and skip it. 2.5 out of 5 (for the backbeat)
6. Bikini Bottom - Techno Beach Boys. A surprisingly addictive song, despite its pop-ish feel. This will most definitely be listened to while along, because most of your friends will probably laugh at you if they catch you listening to it. It will be very hypocritical of them, however, as they probably listen to it when they are alone in their rooms as well, that or listen to Avril Lavigne. 4.5 out of 5
7. The Best Day Ever - Its like I am prepubescent again. Finally, a serious song with the artist being Spongebob Squarepants. It's almost disgustingly upbeat, but its so damn catchy!!! ARGHH!!! Oddly enough, the vocals sound like Weird Al Yankovic, so there is a base to judge the song, at least vocally by. 4 out of 5
8. They'll Soon Discover - THE SHINS!!! HORRAY!! Did I ever mention that I love the Shins? Well I do, because they are sweet. This song defintely delivers and is pretty much a tie for the best track against the Flaming Lips. This is definitely a song that anybody reading this should get, because it is pretty much perfect in every way.
I can recommend this song for this purpose because almost everybody likes the Shins. Very laid back, very smooth, much more instrument depth than what one would normally think there is something about the drumming that I just can't quite point out, but its there all right. 6 out of 5 (call me a fanboy, I don't care, its how I honestly feel)
9. Ocean Man - Ween. This is precisely why I have so much respect for this album, as it introduced me to this great band. The drums are simple, but catchy, as it is with the rest of the album, but I still just won't shut up about it. After some smooth 16th notes on a snare the song starts. The vocals are instantly recognizable and suit the song greatly. It's so catchy you will have to look up the lyrics, sing it the next day, then the next day, then the next day, until you are even singing it when you are trying to hook up with a girl, she thinks you have a weird gay merman fetish and doesn't want anything to do with you. Oh yeah, there is also a neat guitar solo, as should be expected from the God-like Ween. 5 out of 5
10. Under My Rock - I like this song, as retarded as it is. I can't keep from laughing at that voice. The chorus is just hilarious. Another above average guitar solo, but not much above average. 3.5 out of 5
11. Now That We're Men - A song that is ripped directly from the movie in its entirety. It is bastardized in no way by remixes or anything of that sort. I simply love this song. Clocking in at 1:50 seconds, it will not last long, but it will stay with you. Try and do the slap-solo that Spongebob and Patrick do, because once you can the chicks will do ya. 4 out of 5
12. Goofy Goober Rock - Another non-bastardized song presented in the track line up. It is so 80's, nuff' said. 3 out of 5
13. You Better Swim - Finally a song with some balls. Motorhead comes a chugging in with their sludgy guitars and just melt some face off with complete kick-ass-ocity. The first lines of the song seem catchiest to me. I usually try to get my voice that rough sounding singing, "I've got no reason, to be paranoid" For it being a supposedly children’s soundtrack, this song is awfully heavy. Despite this, you're kids will still probably like it and so will you, because we all know that at least its better than Trivium...in every way... 4.5 out of 5
14. The Jellyfish Song By The Jellyfish Band - Oh my God this has such good drumming. I seriously wonder whether it was made by human or drum machine, and I am leaning towards drum machine. It is just a short instrumental, only 1:15, but when it is over, you will wish it had've gone on for at least another minute or so, because it sucks you in. Great, great, instrumental track that unlike most instrumentals is upbeat. 5 out of 5, for being the greatest upbeat instrumental I have heard in a while
15. Spongebob Squarepants Theme - Oddly enough this is the song that the movie opens with. It is filled with pirates harmonizing the theme song, using large cards with letters on them, similarly to how a cheerleader or random fan would paint on his chest. If that metaphor doesn't make sense, too bad, I am not changing it, because you should have learned to take connotations within papers by now, even if they suck. Speaking of sucking I think I understand why they chose this song to be last and that is to show Avril Lavigne how a real theme song is sung. As the opener worked so did the closer. It feels like the album has gone full circle. 4.5 out of 5
Overall: I think it is a very good soundtrack with some minor goofs that could almost be considered music in the first half of the album. Once the album does pick up it stays pretty strong the rest of the way through. The best part is that everybody can enjoy some aspect of it, and not many CDs can claim that Sorry I didn't analyze it more to how well it suits the movie, but I think that this soundtrack should be more dedicated to how the music sounds, not the movie, because I am sure a person buying it would definitely buy it because of the music.
There I am finished with this review; I hope you liked it as it was my first one. Give me good reviews and I will be happy.
