It's been a long time since I've purchased any kind of soundtrack, but this one appears to be of the old- school variety, in that it has nothing "inspired by the motion picture" and actually features the score (by John Cale, and a lovely one at that) together with the music used in the movie. It makes sense, I guess, as "Somewhere In The City" seems more like an arty, low-key independent film than any kind of cynical Hollywood money grab. But maybe I'm just cutting it some slack because it features Robert Burke (of Hal Hartley fame) as one of the leads. Could be.

So, let us run this voodoo down, shall we? "No Meu Sotaque" by Arto Lindsey begins with pure Getz/ Gilberto atmospheric bossa nova, and it's quite pretty and soothing. Opening credits, perhaps? "New York Woman" is a relatively fun Yoko Ono cut that has her in Big Apple velveteen guitar mode. Hell, it almost sounds like a Lou Reed outtake. Ani DiFranco contributes the funk/ folk and catchy "Outta Me, Onto You" (the female lead probably asserts herself at this point) and Sandra Bernhard (who co-stars in the film) lends her fine pipes to "Until The Real Thing Comes Along." And then there's Karen Black's "Pillow Case," which is neither voluptuous nor horrifying, but rather, pretty damn boring. Can't win 'em all.

Despite a few better- than- average cuts, Cale's score is the real find here. It's mostly acoustic and vaguely Celtic, and while I'm sure it was evocative in the film, it does possess the strength to stand alone. I don't think most folks buy soundtracks without seeing the movie first (blaxploitation flicks excepted), but if one were to take in this bit of celluloid and dig it, I could see picking this one up.

-Mark Richard-San