Bandslam

Bandslam is tipped as one of the summer movies for teens this year, although to date it has not had a major impact at the box office. Having not yet seen the film, the basic premise is around drop-out misfit teenagers coming together forming a band and entering a Battle of the Bands type competition. It’s a Disney movie so includes stars from it’s 'stable’ including Vanessa Hudgens and Aly (from Aly & AJ). David Bowie also has a cameo part, and ex-Friend Lisa Kudrow plays one of the Mum’s.

Anyhow, onto the soundtrack. It’s a mix of 70’s alternative music (Nick Drake, Psychedelic Furs, Bowie, etc.) as well as tracks written for the movie, performed by its stars. Some of the new tracks merge on HSM / Camp Rock territory, notably 'Someone To Fall back on’ and 'I Want You To Want Me’, both performed by Aly.

Top track has to go to The Burning hotels with 'Stuck in the Middle’ sounding somewhere between the White Stripes and The Smiths!!

The imaginary band within the film 'I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On’ deliver 'Everything I Own’ (sung in 1987 by Boy George, originally released in 1972 by Bread). This version maintains some of the soft Reggae feel, but also has plenty of brass – somehow it does work with Hudgens vocals offering an alterative sound.

Not a bad soundtrack really, and probably a whole lot better if I had seen the film first to put it all in context!!

1. Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
2. Amphetamine - I Can't Go On, I'll Go On featuring Aly Michalka
3. 24 Hours - Shack
4. Where Are You Now? - Honor Society
5. Lunar One - Seventeen Evergreen
6. Femme Fatale - The Velvet Underground & Nico
7. Twice Is Too Much - Exist
8. Road - Nick Drake
9. Someone to Fall Back On - I Can't Go On, I'll Go On featuring Aly Michalka
10. I Want You to Want Me - Aly Michalka
11. Pretend - Scott Porter and The Glory Dogs
12. Stuck in the Middle - The Burning Hotels
13. Blizzard Woman Blues - The Daze
14. Everything I Own - I Can't Go On, I'll Go On featuring Vanessa Hudgens
15. What Light - Wilco

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