October 15, 2005

Various Artists "Weeds"

A TV comedy about a pot dealer? Hm, sounds...interesting. It's certainly an idea that wouldn't have flown a few years ago, but that's exactly what the hip show Weeds is. Not having cable, I've never seen the show, but it's an interesting premise, even if it's more than a bit...shocking. The idea of a suburban housewife becoming a drug dealer...and it's a comedy? Wow. The times, they are a-changin'. Naturally, it's a hip show, and a hip show requires a hip soundtrack, right? Right!

As soundtracks go, Weeds is a fun, varied affair. Though there are a few names that are familiar, the song selections tend to lean toward the quirky and the obscure--which is just fine! Otherwise, one wouldn't have experienced the smile-inducing joy of NRBQ's "Wacky Tobacky," the sweet power-pop of All Too Much's "More Than A Friend," the downcast Martin Creed's "I Can't Move," the zydeco-style busker fun of Hill of Beans' "Satan Lend Me a Dollar" and the vintage weirdness of Malvina Reynolds' "Little Boxes." The less obscure artists offer some good material, too; it's always nice to hear Peggy Lee, and there are excellent offerings by Flogging Molly, Sufjan Stevens, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Nelly McKay and The Mountain Goats.

So while the show may or may not last, Weeds is at least a fun...um...score? Yeah. Bad pun. Good soundtrack.

--Joseph Kyle

Series Website: http://www.sho.com/site/weeds/
Label Website: http://www.rykodisc.com

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