Elizabethtown Soundtrack

The mixture of folk, indie, country, and rock music, new and old, on the Elizabethtown soundtrack not only compliment the movie excellently, but also make a perfect road trip mix.

The Cameron Crowe film is about self-discovery and recovery. The main character Drew (Orlando Bloom) loses his job and girlfriend causing him to turn suicidal, although he is forced to put it on hold and travel south to bury his recently dead father in his hometown Elizabethtown, Kentucky. His trip results in learning a lot about himself and his family. He also meets Claire(Kirsten Dunst) along the way, who introduces him to some music, featured on the soundtrack, for his journey home and essentially saves him.

It's no shocker that the soundtrack, also produced by Crowe, is good considering he is a former contributing editor and frequent writer for Rolling Stone magazine. The album takes you on a journey of the characters search for meaning and recovery in the mess of his life, displaying a true roller coaster of emotions, happy and sad.

The album opens with a twangy instrumental song, "60B (Etown theme song)" by former Hearts member Nancy Wilson. Following the first track is another twangy folk/rock song, "It'll all work out" by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, which music and lyrics begins the journey of the character in the movie.

The variation of the next few songs, each very different, all continue the storytelling of the soundtrack. Elton John's, "My Fathers Gun" provides a sentimental rock song, next is the airy sounding "Io (This Time Around)" by Helen Stellar with heavy piano instrumentals, and then the mellow and bluesy, "Come Pick Me Up" by Ryan Adams with harmonica solos.

Also included on the soundtrack is a melancholy "Where to Begin" by My Morning Jacket, indie love song “Don’t I Hold You” by Wheat, upbeat party song “Let it Out (Let it All Hang Out) by The Hombres, and more folky tunes like "Long Ride Home", "Sugar blue" and cover of Bob Dylan's "Hardtimes".

Wrapping up the musical journey is another Tom Petty song, "Square One", which plays in the scene at the end of the movie where Drew is dancing alone in the middle of a forest. The lyrics "Square one, my slate is clear/Rest your head and meet my dear/It took a world of trouble, it took a world of tears/It took a long time to get back here", as well as the musical influence of Tom Petty within the rest of the album really sum up the soundtrack and movie.

This soundtrack is relatable and enjoyable even if you haven't seen the movie. I really liked how the variation of artists all flowed together so well, and followed this storyline in the movie, that anyone can relate to. This is the perfect collecetion of music for a long drive. Next time you're taking a road trip pop this CD in, roll down the windows, and enjoy.

1.60B (Etown Theme) - Nancy Wilson
2.It'll All Work Out - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
3.My Father's Gun - Elton John
4.IO (This Time Around) - Helen Stellar
5.Come Pick Me Up - Ryan Adams
6.Where to Begin - My Morning Jacket
7.Long Ride Home - Patty Griffin
8.Sugar Blue - Jeff Finlin
9.Don't I Hold You - Wheat
10.Shut Us Down - Lindsey Buckingham
11.Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) - The Hombres
12.Hard Times (Come Again No More) - Eastmountainsouth
13.Jesus Was A Cross Maker - The Hollies
14.Square One - Tom Petty
15.Same In Any Language - I Nine

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