The WB’s “One Tree Hill,” now in its second season, remains a favorite among today’s teenagers. Sadly, even dedicated fans of the teen drama will find this alternative pop/modern rock soundtrack a disappointment. The album is compiled of benign folk and country sounds from as the likes of newcomers The Wreckers and 20-year-old singer/songwriter Tyler Hilton. While these styles would normally be acceptable on a compilation album, the monotonous, melodramatic songs drone on for far too long.
- Beth Dykstra
Despite this flaw, “One Tree Hill” attempts to redeem itself on a few tracks. Somewhat out of place is the startingly upbeat “Funny Little Feeling” by up-and-comers Rock ‘n’ Roll Soldiers. The song, chockful of whiny keyboard lines, provides a breath of fresh air on an otherwise tedious album.
However, the strongest songs on the soundtrack come from established acts. Coldplay-lite Brit rockers Keane shine on “Everybody’s Changing,” while the emotionally charged voices of emo faves The Get Up Kids wail on “Overdue.”
Singer/songwriter Gavin Degraw’s live version of his hit “I Don’t Want To Be” — the theme song of the WB series — is a fitting way to open the album.
But the disc is hopeless by the time Sheryl Crow’s stripped-down acoustic version of “The First Cut is the Deepest” appears. Overflowing with overplayed pop rock and repetitive country tunes, copies of this recording should spend their time gathering dust.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars