Various
Dawson's Creek Soundtrack
Columbia Records

All right, I confess! Geez, you don't have to be so relentless! Yes, I watch Dawson's Creek. Worse, I really dig it. Angst-ridden teens who remind me of the melodramatic days of my youth (in spirit, if not exact situations).

One of the great things about the WB network is, they show several of the artists heard during the program directly after the episode. Most helpful, if you have a burning desire for a specific song. It's also helpful if you work in a music store and make it your life's work to assist others in their musical quests.

Most of the tunes on the soundtrack are youth-oriented, but like the show, they can be enjoyed by a wide range of ages. The opening track is Sixpence None The Richer begging "Kiss Me." It's one of those songs -- every time I hear it, I'm compelled to smile. It's carefree, and it just feels good. Another track that grabs me is "Feels Like Home," a Randy Newman tune crooned by Chantal Kreviazuk. A nice, mellow, sigh-because-you-feel-good kind of song.

On a more cynical note, there's Shooter's "Life's A Bitch." It's a really bland, whiny song that seems to be one of the CD's most popular tracks. Whatever.

The rest of the CD is half-n-half for me. I enjoy listening, but I'm not blown away. I've never received any epiphanies from listening to Dawson's Creek (or watching the show, for that matter). Who cares? With the help of Shawn Mullins, Heather Nova and Adam Cohen, it's an alright collection.
-KR

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