If you're looking for me to explain how well this soundtrack goes with its video game namesake, you're barking up the wrong tree. I didn't even know at first that Stubbs the Zombie was a video game. All I knew was that this CD was full tracks from the 50s (mostly doo-wop songs) done by modern artists. Ben Kweller opens the CD with "Lollipop." You know, the song featured in Stand by Me with that "pop" sound in the chorus. Kweller did a great a job with this song, from the hand claps to the harmony vocals, to the little pop sound.
The Raveonettes follow up with "My Boyfriend's Back" and put a nice indie rock spin on this old favorite. This one's got solid harmony vocals and a bass line that almost seems better suited for a surf song.
Death Cab for Cutie performs "Earth Angel" made famous by The Penguins. Granted, Death Cab sounds quite a bit different than The Penguins, but this version is good enough to make you think of McFly at the dance in Back to the Future.
Rose Hill Drive comes next with "Shakin All Over." Rose Hill Drive brings a different kind of retro sound, which is to be expected since they cover a song by The Who. This song features some excellent guitar chops. This is a little different than the rest of the album, but it's also a very good rendition of the original.
Cake follows Rose Hill Drive with what I think is the highlight of the album. On Fashion Nugget, Cake has a song called Frank Sinatra. On this CD, they perform a song made famous by Sinatra: "Strangers in the Night." Cake puts their own lounge spin on this song. I have to say this is one song that I've gone back to listen to more than once.
The Walkmen perform the shortest song on the disc, "There Goes My Baby" originally performed by The Drifters. It's done well but as soon as you get into the song, it's over.
Rogue Wave performs Buddy Holly's "Everyday." This song reminds me a lot of some mellow songs by Hum. I'll say one thing for sure, Rogue Wave made this song sound more introspective than I've ever heard.
The Dandy Warhols perform "All I Have To Do Is Dream." It's got a very interesting, sort of trippy sound, but the vocals are so low, you almost have to strain to hear them.
Oranger follows the Dandy Warhols with their rendition of "Mr. Sandman." This song features fuzzy guitars, good harmony vocals and a theremin. This reminds me a lot of Weezer.
The Flaming Lips do the song that seems most apt for a game about a zombie: "If I Only Had a Brain." Just sit back and listen to this one. This is, if I may use James Lipton's favorite adjective, "delightful;" two minutes and fifteen seconds of musical goodness.
Clem Snide chips in with "Tears on My Pillow." I like the horns on this song. The bass line is pretty strong too. This is another one you should just sit back and enjoy.
Milton Mapes sings "Lonesome Town," made famous by Rick Nelson. This is a good, mellow tune with vocals that suit the title of the song very well.
Phantom Planet wraps the album with "The Living Dead." This song has some cool sounds in the background. I can't really identify what the sounds are, but they definitely lend a sort of spooky vibe that suits the song.
This is just a fun CD. I enjoy hearing these indie rock bands put their spin on old familiar classics. So, while I may not know anything about the game, I can give a full recommendation for the Stubbs the Zombie soundtrack.
