Soundtrack Review: Ted is Easy Listening Cheese
In complete contrast to the edgy, outrageous, controversial fare we experience in the movie itself, Ted‘s soundtrack is a mix of a gentle (and sometimes amusing) score from Composer Walter Murphy and a selection of easy listening tunes and cheesy classics.
In the live action/CG-animated comedy, Seth MacFarlane tells the story of John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg), a grown man who must deal with the cherished teddy bear who came to life as the result of a childhood wish…and has refused to leave his side ever since. I’m not going to let this become a review of the movie itself (I’ll pop that post up closer to the release date), but I’ll openly admit that Seth MacFarlane has made possibly the funniest film I’ve ever seen. So, I was understandably looking forward to the soundtrack. In fairness, I was looking forward to the iPhone app, the t-shirt, the poster, the mug, the cuddly toy… so enamoured was I with the genius comedy.
However, the 20 track album was little more than a pleasant afternoon’s listen. While the movie used the cheesiness of Queen’s Flash Theme and Rita Coolidge’s All Time High to create a funny juxtaposition of modern edginess and retro-pop, when you’re just listening to the soundtrack, it feels more like you’re stuck in the car with your dad and one of his mixtapes.
I’m perhaps being too harsh. Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now is still a great track. Hootie and The Blowfish will still have you dancing to Only Wanna Be With You and even Norah Jones’ Everybody Needs a Friend will make you smile. Walter Murphy’s score is lovely and is at times a gentle parody of every 80s kids movie theme. It has a few genius moments that make you grin like a mischievous schoolboy – hearing the Raiders of the Lost Ark theme in the midst of the exciting chase music is a treat.
There is enough on the album to warrant a repeat listen, but if you’re going to buy it, make sure you buy the ‘Explicit’ version. It has an additional track at the end that makes the entire album worthwhile…
Here’s the full tracklist for the album and the movie’s trailer:
Track List
1. Everybody Needs A Best Friend
2. The Power Of Wishes
3. Thunder Buddies For Life
4. John & Lori At Work / A Walk In The Park
5. Magical Wish
6. Rex’s Party (Everybody Needs A Best Friend)
7. The Breakup
8. Never Be Scared Of Thunder Again
9. Ted Is Captured / Raiders Of The Lost Ark
10. The Car Chase / Fenway Pursuit
11. Climbing The Tower / She’s Your Thunder Buddy Now
12. Saving Ted / Lori’s Wish
13. The Proposal / The Wedding
14. End Titles
15. Flash’s Theme
16. Sin
17. Only Wanna Be With You
18. Come Away With Me
19. All Time High (From The Motion Picture Octopussy)
20. I Think We’re Alone Now
21. Thunder Buddies [Explicit]
About the Author
Darren Byrne Blogger, writer, movie buff, amateur dramatist and all round nice guy. When I’m not spouting about on Culch.ie, I can be found Tweeting inanities @DarrenByrne or @Culch_ie. I am the admin behind Culch.ie and if you want to contact me for anything, drop me a mail.
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