VARIOUS ARTISTS
Veronica Mars Original Television Soundtrack
Nettwerk
· A detective story.
It was a day like any other.
I had just finished work on a tough case concerning a couple of thugs wearing eyeliner and playing synthesizers when I returned to the office. I settled down behind my desk and cracked open a carton of brown cow, flipping to the arts and leisure section of the newspaper.
I removed my fedora and began reading another pseudo-political puff piece on Bono, when I noticed a manila envelope being slid under my door.
"Who’s there?" I called.
No answer.
I grabbed my piece — a 2003 silver Sony Walkman. I carefully opened the unmarked package, removing a thin cardboard sleeve. It was an advance copy of the Veronica Mars soundtrack.
I was familiar with the TV program — a gritty mystery disguised as a teen drama. It was a great show, worthy of all the critical accolades. But something wasn’t right. As soon as I caught sight of its reflective surface, I knew that this disc was going to be trouble.
The usual suspects were all there. The Dandy Warhols were out pushing their junk to yet another naïve network. The Delays were in fine form, pimping their second-rate pop to unsuspecting preteens.
"They got another one," I sighed and shook my head, noticing Spoon’s infectious sex groove "I Turn My Camera On" had become the latest casualty.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had heard all this before. I had walked the indie rock beat in The O.C. and was sure that these were repeat offenders.
There was no doubt that this soundtrack was made by a professional, someone with a keen knowledge of demographics. They had taken familiar songs and added just the right number of indie rock tunes to authenticate its credibility. Sure, nothing on the disc was cutting edge, but they knew how to dress this baby up and make it spin.
I became haunted by the question – didn’t everyone already own all four volumes of The O.C. soundtrack, including the Chrismukkah album? Did Veronica Mars think it could get in on the scam, merchandising its musical interludes so fans could dole out their hard-earned clams on yet another collection of mediocre songs?
When was all this cross-promotional bunk going to end? It was like everyone was hopped up on goofballs. I took a long swig of chocolate milk and wiped my mouth.
Forget it Kirsten, it’s Tinseltown.
|
Copyright ©2005 FFWD. All rights reserved.