It’s hard to listen to this album and not compare it to the
While the album has already taken flak for including some of the same artists as Garden State (Coldplay, Remy Zero, Imogen Heap of Frou Frou, Cary Brothers), it’s understandable that Braff would place some of his standbys from a few years ago alongside newer favorites like Joshua Radin, Rachel Yamagata and Brit imports Snow Patrol, who open both film and album with the clear harmonies and simple, heartfelt lyrics of “Chocolate.”
As for Joshua Radin, whose overly melancholy major label debut We Were Here bordered on monotony for most of its duration, his two tracks for The Last Kiss, “Star Mile” and “Paperweight,” are much more listenable, gorgeously subtle even, when not backed by another half hour of his signature wispy, wistful acoustic sound.
Most of the disc continues in that downbeat, acoustic vibe, so it’s a welcome diversion to hear something with the charged alt-rock rhythm of newly-reunited Remy Zero’s “Prophecy,” which, along with Cary Brothers’ “Ride” solidify the album as more than just
But the real standout of the album ends up being, surprisingly enough, Coldplay with “Warning Sign,” one of the token songs from 2002’s A Rush of Blood to the Head that wasn’t played to death like the rest of its material. Even though I’m notorious for spoiling movie plots, this time I’m just going to say that the song plays over one of the film’s most evocative moments, slowly building to its yearning, lovelorn chorus with lush strings and melodies.
This is one of those soundtracks that, even if you don’t care about the movie, can stand up on its own right, providing just enough mellowness to balance out its universal themes of love, relationships and reaching maturity. The Last Kiss, film and soundtrack both, prove that big budgets, convoluted plotlines and in-your-face stunts are only secondary to coming away with an experience that can heighten your understanding of the world around you.
