Just Like Heaven
is a fairly standard
romantic comedy
soundtrack
, assembling a mix of classics, covers, and excerpts of
Rolfe Kent
's score. The covers range from good-natured
singer/songwriterisms
like
Pete Yorn
's
"Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)"
and
Katie Melua
's pretty, mellow version of the film's namesake (
the Cure
's original appears later, in all its jangly, bittersweet glory) to note-perfect, borderline-pointless renditions of
"Jungle Fever"
by
Chakachas
"Bad Case of Lovin' You"
Emerson Hart
.
Bowling for Soup
's cover of the
Ghostbusters
theme is notable mostly for how the band re-creates the original's cheesy synth tone exactly, while
Kay Hanley
's version of
"Lust for Life"
is a risky choice that falls flat thanks to the anemic arrangement backing her game vocal performance. However,
Imogen Heap
's smoky version of
"Spooky"
Kelis
'
"Brass in Pocket"
rise above the mediocrity of the rest of the covers; in fact,
is so good that her interpretation rivals the great, wistful sexiness of
the Pretenders
' original. Along with vintage tracks like
the Cars
"Good Times Roll"
Screamin' Jay Hawkins
"I Put a Spell on You, "
also includes a handful of original songs, such as
Beck
"Strange Invitation"
Amos Lee
's simple, heartfelt
"Colors."
's score is surprisingly restrained and affecting, particularly on
"Her Picture"
"David Alone"
; only
"Machines Don't Know Everything"
brings the schmaltz usually associated with rom com
soundtracks
, and even then it's in small enough doses that it still seems sweet instead of saccharine. A competent
,
's bright spots outshine its stumbles just enough to make it worthwhile for fans of the movie. ~ Heather Phares