I'm not a fan of the Dawson's Creek television show, and in all honesty, you couldn't pay me to watch the sappy story lines, contrived scenes, and overacting that goes along with each episode. Nor do I approve of the content the show boasts about to its young, vulnerable teenage audience. However, that doesn't mean that the pathetic show doesn't play upbeat, teen friendly music. Columbia Records put together a collection of today's top artists as if it was for a Now or This is Music compilation. All of the stars come out for this one, including pop princess Jessica Simpson, acoustic duo Evan and Jaron, and alternative rockers Nine Days.
Simpson, who preaches sexual abstinence until marriage, leads off the disc with "I Think I'm in Love With You," which features a bit of sampling from John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane." The similar-sounding Lara Fabian lends her soon-to-be-hit "Givin' Up on You" to the project, followed by the new mellow rock stylings of Five For Fighting on "Superman." Particularly good fits for the program are the gentle "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" by The Jayhawks and "I Think God Can Explain" by Splender. Nine Days' "If I Am" makes for a more reflective scene in the show, but their first hit "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" would have been a better choice. Shawn Colvin, who has been out of the public eye for quite some time, lends her track "Never Saw Blue Like That" to the set list. Particularly humorous on the compilation is Wheatus' "Teenage Dirtbag," a song which speaks of a teenage boy falling in love with, then being ignored by, a beautiful girl who already has a boyfriend. For the more serious scenes in the series comes Train's "Respect" and Michal's "Broken Boy." One wonders how the virtually unheard of Pete Yorn and Mary Beth Maziarz made the cut with songs that don't stand out as being anything special.
Volume 3 in the series is probably stretching it a bit, but is probably on the way within a matter of months. Good news is that music listeners don't have to watch the program to hear such a fun collection of songs, they just have to buy this collection.
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