Welcome to soundtracks! Our look at the latest offerings in the soundtrack world.

The Spongebob Squarepants Movie
Label: Sire Records
Rating: 

Review By: Zane Ewton
 

Tracks: SpongeBob SquarePants Theme - Avril Lavigne SpongeBob & Patrick Confront The Psychic Wall Of Energy - The Flaming Lips Just A Kid - Wilco Goofy Goober Song, The - Mike Simpson/SpongeBob SquarePants Prince Paul's Bubble Party - The Waikikis Bikini Bottom - Electrocute Best Day Ever, The - SpongeBob SquarePants They'll Soon Discover - The Shins Ocean Man - Ween Under My Rock - Patrick Now That We're Men - SpongeBob SquarePants - (featuring Patrick & The Monsters) Goofy Goober Rock - Tom Rothrock/Jim Wise You Better Swim - Motorhead Jellyfish Song By The Jellyfish Band, The - Plus-Tech Squeezebox/SpongeBob SquarePants SpongeBob SquarePants Theme - The Pirates

The soundtrack to the large screen version of Spongebob Squarepants is a collection of songs that are overflowing with the same energy and humor that have made the cartoon so popular.  Fans of the show and the movie will love the soundtrack and even non fans might have some fun with these aquatic themed songs.
 
One of the few missteps on the soundtrack is Avril Lavigne’s version of the “Spongebob Squarepants Theme”.  This version loses all of the original’s sing along ability in favor of a generic pop/rock riff.  At least it is a very short rendition.  
 
The Flaming Lips provide the catchy, Beatles under water with philosophical depth song, “Spongebob and Patrick Confront the Psychic Wall of Energy”.  Wilco follows that up with the simple piano and guitar led “Just a Kid”, including kids on background vocals.  
 
“The Goofy Goober Song” is the first of several little songs that propel the plot of the movie, just like the following “Prince Paul’s Bubble Party”.  They are good for a few listens but eventually start getting skipped over for the proper songs.  Electrocute give us some electronic surf music with “Bikini Bottom”.  “The Best Day Ever” is Spongebob’s turn to take the solo spotlight in a song with a pretty Beach Boys melody.  Thankfully Spongebob’s voice blends in well and doesn’t grate on the nerves too much.
 
“They’ll Soon Discover” is another catchy song done by the Shins, with more than a passing debt to the Beatles.  Ween offer up the previously released “Ocean Man” which fits the movie and the soundtrack well with its airy beat and underwater theme.  
 
Spongebob doesn’t get to keep the spotlight to himself; Patrick gets a credit for the garage rock ode to his house in “Under My Rock”.  “Now That we’re Men” is the Spongebob and Patrick duet complete with marching band and rah-rah chorus.  The Twisted Sister song “I Wanna Rock” is made over as “Goofy Goober Rock”, and to be honest there isn’t much difference between the two.
 
If there is a band that can show up where they don’t belong and not only fit but steal the show, it would be Motorhead.  They may be playing the same riff that has been in every blues song since blues was invented but the steady crunch and Lemmy’s sense of humor help “You Better Swim” be one of the soundtracks highlights.
 
The album is the closed out with the movie version of the Spongebob theme, complete with orchestra and harmonizing pirates.
 
Much of the soundtrack deals with growing up and becoming men but still being able to be young and have some mindless fun.  The soundtrack is the perfect extension of the movie and each song is very short but will help your imagination revel in the sights and sounds of Bikini Bottom.  But don’t over do it, the sugar could rot your teeth.
 
 

Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online