Garden State — (Music From The Motion Picture)
One of the most iconic early aught soundtracks, Garden State’s OST is a mixed bag of a time capsule.
In the summer of 2004, Zach Braff released Garden State, a film he wrote, directed, and starred in. While writing the screenplay, Braff compiled a “mix tape” (CD) of songs he liked at the time. The film’s budget was a mere $2.5 million dollars, which meant licensing some of these tracks would prove difficult. For said reason, Braff sent a copy of the script with every request for licensing as well as a personalized note explaining how integral the song was to each beat of the movie it accompanied. In the end, Braff got every song he asked for to appear in the movie, however, due to rights issues, some songs would not make it onto the soundtrack. The soundtrack and film garnered warm receptions across the board. The album won the Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media in 2005. Since release this album has gone platinum in the US.
The first time I ever liked Coldplay was when I heard “Don’t Panic” at the beginning of this film. What worked so well was the juxtaposition of the song with Braff’s bleak vision of Los Angeles being displayed at the same time. This then transitions into The Shins’ “Caring is Creepy.” This song is a fine example of the album at its most middling. The song is fine overall, but is a rather unremarkable Shins song when compared to the other one on this album. “In The Waiting Line” by Zero 7 plays over a party scene with Braff under the influence of MDMA. This song is a great example of Braff’s uncanny ability to match a moment to a song. Side A closes with the showstopper of the album and movie in the form of “New Slang” by The Shins. The song concerns disdain for one’s hometown, a central tenet of the film itself. The smooth serenade of indie rock is undeniable in its magnetism, this is a high point before many low ones. The whole of Side B is not worth mentioning and feels dated. The late Nick Drake croons open Side C with “One of These Things First.” This song is a tale of lost ambition and confused direction, again appropriate for the film’s themes. “Lebanese Blonde” is a funky electronica interlude with underplayed lyrics. This piece fits into the film for its instrumentation which is depressive sitar, and in part for its themes of drug use and depression. “The Only Living Boy In New York” will be reviewed when I get to my Simon & Garfunkel records, suffice to say this is an apropos song and a great Paul Simon ditty. Iron & Wine’s cover of “Such Great Heights” takes the electro pop anthem and lulls it down to a sleepy slog. I’m not sure if I ever liked this version, but I don’t now and I kept thinking “get on with it.” From the climactic final scene of the film Frou Frou’s “Let Go” was the song which got me into this soundtrack. If ever there was a perfect mesh of a song and a movie scene, this is it. Braff eschews his miserable life in LA to be with Portman and have a chance at happiness, even if they don’t know where to go. Imogen Heap sings of letting go of one’s inhibitions to experience the beauty of life to its fullest. This is the note we leave our protagonists on as they sit in a depressing airport terminal in the garden state.
Must Listen To: Let Go
For full impact, watch the movie first. But there is something captivating about this song from its tight and snappy drums, to Heap’s sprawling vocal range; it all is one cohesive piece not often rivaled.
