THE WAY, WAY BACK - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2013)

As clichéd as it sounds, life is a journey. And the music we listen to on this road trip makes us who we are. For the soundtrack of this coming of age movie directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, the producers have put together an affecting selection of songs which you’ll fondly remember as you trod down this path called life.

Acclaimed singer songwriter Edie Brickell contributes two new songs to the soundtrack, and they aptly open and close the film. Together with pop rock band The Gaddabouts, “For The Time Being” and “Go Where The Love Is” are tunes which you’ll have no problems liking. The heartfelt melody and lyrics are a breeze to listen to, and may even have you reflecting on the finer aspects of life. Brickell’s collaboration with band members Steve Gadd, Pino Palladino and Andy Fairweather Low is spot on, and the result are two folksy yet contemporary tracks which are must listens on the 57 minute album.

Elsewhere, American rock band Mr. Mister, whose music is very popular in the 1980s, performs “Kyrie”, a nostalgically joyous song to listen to. Multi instrumentalist Ben Kweller croons “Out The Door”, a tune which reminds us of the best years of our lives – youth. Young Galaxy and Army Navy may not be familiar names, but these two indie bands’ songs “Come And See” and “Running Wild” are outstanding tracks on the soundtrack too.

If you have caught the film starring a fine ensemble cast including Steve Carell, Toni Collete, Sam Rockwell and May Rudolph, you may identify with The Apache Relay’s “Power Hungry Animals” and Trampled by Turtles’ “Alone”, which mark some of the most poignant moments in the critically acclaimed comedy drama.

Composer Rob Simonsen’s brief score cue “The Way Way Back” closes the album. The melancholically heartrending has a warmth to it, and it left us smiling thinking about what life has in store for each and every one of us.

ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (14) Go Where The Love Is – Edie Brickell and the Gaddabouts

Review by John Li