The Snakes on a Plane soundtrack is filled with tracks from some of the most popular post-hardcore bands. A significant number are interconnected and affiliated with independent record label Fueled By Ramen. However, most of the tracks have been remixed in ways that move them closer to the pop mainstream. Overall, the effort works and makes this a smart, bright, urgent, poppy package to close out the summer of 2006.
Snakes on a Plane Remixes Hit and Miss
All remixes on this album are not created equal. The Tommie Sunshine reworking of tracks by the likes of Panic! At the Disco and Fall Out Boy seem to just shoehorn the original tunes into a dance package that doesn't quite fit. However, the mix of All-American Rejects' "Can't Take It" tones down the original's strings and turns the track into gorgeous cocktail jazz that would make Steely Dan proud. Similarly, Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy dresses up The Sounds' stellar "Queen of Apology" in a package that would light up pop radio.
Cee-Lo Rules and Cobra Starship Are an Act to Watch
Among the original tracks included on the album, two stand out as true gems. Cee-Lo, the voice behind Gnarls Barkley, turns in another brilliant vocal performance on "Ophidiophobia" (that's fear of snakes, in case you didn't figure it out). Despite rumors of a limited vocal range, Cee-Lo's falsetto seems to always hit the right tone.
The title song "Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)" is delivered by a post-hardcore supergroup Cobra Starship led by Midtown's lead vocalist Gabe Saporta. It is a blast of power pop that will have you singing along in no time. Don't miss the accompanying video with the artists smuggling those snakes onto the plane.
Snakes On a Plane - Hip Soundtrack of the Year?
Thus far, this has not been a strong year for film soundtracks. Snakes on a Plane, with the help of Zach Braff's The Last Kiss, seems set to turn that around. Of the 16 songs here, you may soon find yourself singing along with at least a dozen. The remixes also help make much of the album exuberantly party-ready. Add that to tasty snippets of dialogue from the film, and you have a disc that holds up quite nicely as a companion to the most talked about movie of the year.
