Scrubs
Music From the Television Series
Hollywood
It should go without saying, really. As a general rule of thumb, if you enjoy a particular TV series, you’re probably better off steering clear of the commercial music tie-in unless you’re absolutely certain it’s a masterpiece of the genre. Because as TV soundtracks go, whether it’s from Dawson’s Creek or Friends, they often consist of songs that work better as mood music or closing credit fade-outs than as proper songs.
The album opens with the series’ theme music, Lazlo Bane’s “Superman,” which disappointingly sounds better in its sped-up onscreen version. Next comes a quick dose of generic pop filler, “All in My Head” by Shaun Mullins, a tune reminiscent of the catchy ephemerality of The Proclaimers and The Rembrandts. The rest of the songs stick to this forgettable formula, from ex-Men At Work frontman Colin Hay (he makes two appearances) to the Virginia frat-funk band Everything. Even the most commercial of Guided By Voices’ repertoire, “Hold On Hope,” rears its nondescript head. Notable exceptions to the pervasive sense of mediocrity are the eels’ “Fresh Feeling,” with its hip-hop drumbeat and rich orchestration, and The Shins’ sublimely melancholic “New Slang.” But you’re better off buying the respective albums from these bands instead of clinging to their two tracks featured here.
Finally, we come to the issue of the CD extras. I suppose these were intended to whisk me away to a secret online location where I might browse agency acting photos and send adoring fan mail. Unfortunately, it required me to boot up into Classic OS on my Mac, only to direct me to a Web site that doesn’t yet exist.
I adore Scrubs the television show. It ranks with some of the best quirky comedies of all time, like Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, Ally McBeal and Malcolm in the Middle. However, this soundtrack doesn’t live up to the TV show that spawned it. Loyal Scrubs fans should take note and give it a miss.
Hollywood Records: http://www.hollywoodrecords.com
