Search - David Newman, Rosey :: Monster in Law

Far from monstrous

E. A Solinas | MD USA | 05/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Opinions seem to be evenly split on Jane Fonda-Jennifer Lopez comedy "Monster-in-Law," the tale of a suffocating mama who makes life miserable for her son's new fiance. But one thing can be discerned: Lots of good music on the soundtrack, ranging from MTV pop stars to little-known dancepopsters.



Some popular and vocally blessed songwriters are included here. Among them is Jem, with her pretty lighthearted "Just A Ride," Rachael Yamagata's playful "1963," and Ivy's rollicking love song "Thinking About You." A harder note comes in with Tegan and Sarah's "Walking With A Ghost," but there is also pop wunderkind Nellie McKay's "Won't U Please B Nice?" and Esthero's funky "Everyday is a Holiday With You."



And there's Astaire's dancey, poppy "L-L-Love," one of the less organic songs of the album. A more bluesy note enters near the end, with Magnet's guitar-pop "Where Happiness Lives," Dar Williams' lovely "Beauty of the Rain," and Madeleine Peyroux's piano-jazzy "Don't Wait Too Long."



I'm not sure who chooses the songs for movies like these, but apparently whoever did has some truly excellent taste. Bands like many of these -- especially the jazzier or bluesier artists, are often lacking from movie soundtracks, but they also add a charming delicacy to a very basic-sounding comedy.



Not that this is entirely perfect -- Joss Stone's "Super Duper Love (Are You Diggin' On Me?) Pt. 1" just doesn't fit in with the others. It's not a bad song, not at all, but it seems rather garish beside Yamagata and Ivy. And Rosey, a little-known funk-pop-hop singer, get shortchanged with a remix of "Love." Better to include the original.



However, those problems are outweighed by the mild indie cred (Ivy, Tegan & Sara) and the ability to include good pop singers (Jem, Yamagata). What's even better, many of the songs seem to fit together. Yamagata, Jem, Esthero, Rosey, Peyroux, and Ivy have similarly flexible voices, often husky and always strong in tone. The songs themselves tend to be a bit playful and romantic.



I'm not sure yet what kind of movie "Monster in Law" will be, but the soundtrack is a smooth, relaxing ride with only a few bumps. (And not a single song by J.Lo)"

Great soundtrack-the movie seems to be hilarious!...

M. Raudier | fontenay-sous-bois France | 05/11/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"i don't understand why there are still no reviews about this great soundtrack.The songs are pretty good exept for one,the koop remix of the hit single LOVE by rosey is a real slaughter for such a great song,but i may say it's listenable...

Anyway,jem's ride is way to overplayed,it's simple,everytime i was attracted by a soundtrack bang right out of the blue here is the song! so with this copy i must say that i have 4 copy of this song!... i love it but enough is enough.

Esthero's new song is very good (i love this band)rachael yamagata's 1963 is one of my favorite song of the CD even if i already have her album,happenstance which i love.the new tegan and sara single is not as good as i expected but it's nice though,but IVY is still on top with their very good song thinking about you,as for magnet and his sweet where happiness lives and dar williams with her beautiful beauty of the rain.Nellie mckay,madeleine peyroux and sara bareilles,whose songs look simillar,offer us a ressucitation of old jazzy-but quite nice sound.Joss stone's super duper love is getting old but still nice to listen to and my crush of the CD ASTAIRE with their love song catchy and very rock'n'roll (can't wait for the album to be available).

Well i think we're done,so don't hesitate,buy this soundtrack because you won't regret it exept for one or two tracks and rush to see the movie on theatre."

Great Movie - Good Soundtrack

Karen Miller | LA USA | 11/20/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I LOVE this movie, and couldn't WAIT to get the soundtrack. I really like most of the songs, but glaringly absent was "Down to You" (can't remember the artist's name). Since that was my favorite song in the entire movie, I was very disappointed. I could easily have traded "Don't Wait Too Long" by Madeliene Peyoux for "Down to You", which, to me, fit in much more with the rest of the music, and is a lot more upbeat. Other than that, I like it. Not as good as a lot of soundtracks, and definitely not as good as the movie, but it's a keeper."