50 First Dates Soundtrack Review:


The last time Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore hooked up on the big screen, the accompanying soundtrack positively throbbed with classic 80s floor-fillers. And as if to remind everyone of how well the whole package worked on Frank Coraci’s The Wedding Singer, the music for 50 First Dates also takes its cue from the 1980s, only with a slight twist.

This time, all the tracks are reinterpretations of popular 80s love songs, which have been reworked to varying degrees of success by a line-up of familiar (and not so familiar) names. Another thing worth bearing in mind is that all 12 songs have a distinct reggae feel, the big giveaway if you haven’t seen the film being the red, gold and green colouring used on the cover artwork.

It’s actually quite a decent collection, which kicks off with one of the best tracks, Wayne Wonder’s infectious rendition of Thompson Twins classic Hold Me Now. Other stand-outs include Seal’s version of Lips Like Sugar by Echo and the Bunnymen (which features reggae legend Mikey Dread) and the smooth-voiced Elan Atias’ cover of Bryan Ferry’s Slave to Love (featuring Gwen Stefani).

The more bland fare comes from the likes of Ziggy Marley, who offers a surprisingly dull interpretation of Drive by The Cars, while 311’s Love Song is nothing more than filler material and Sandler’s own warbling effort can also be overlooked. But stalwarts such as UB40 (Every Breath You Take) and Wyclef Jean (Your Love) make worthwhile contributions and lesser lights such as Mark McGrath (Ghost in You), Nicole Kea (Breakfast in Bed) and Dryden Mitchell (Friday, I’m in Love) also provide decent material.
Not an essential purchase by any means, but worth buying if you lean towards reggae and, for an album of love songs, it steers well clear of being overtly soppy. Certainly a CD to set the mood on a sultry summer night and one which you’ll still respect in the morning.

Track listing:
Wayne Wonder—Hold Me Now
311—Love Song
Seal (featuring Mikey Dread)—Lips Like Sugar
Wyclef Jean (featuring Eve)—Your Love (L.O.V.E. Reggae Mix)
Ziggy Marley—Drive
Elan Atias—Slave to Love
UB40—Every Breath You Take
Mark McGrath—Ghost in You
Dryden Mitchell—Friday, I’m in Love
Nicole Kea—Breakfast in Bed
Jason Mraz—I Melt With You
Adam Sandler—Forgetful Lucy

Dave

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