Album Review: Scott Pilgrim vs The World and The Runaways: Music From And Inspired By

Scott Pilgrim vs The World: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
(Universal) 3/5
The Runaways: Music From And Inspired By
(Atlantic) 2/5
Punk's not dead, oh no.
Not if this pair of soundtracks has anything to say about it, anyway.
Of course, punk was always more about a philosophy or a movement than a style of music, and megabucks Hollywood movies probably have little to do with that.
But here, unlike the quite enjoyable Twilight soundtracks, the music is less about the "it" bands of the moment and more about recreating the world of the movie for the listener. After all, both movies feature bands quite prominently.
The Scott Pilgrim soundtrack is awash with short, sharp tracks such as those from Beck alter-ego Sex Bob-Omb, mixed with classics from Frank Black, Beck (as himself) and the Rolling Stones.
Broken Social Scene and the Bluetones provide some welcome quieter moments, though the latter's contribution sounds a little too much like a Crowded House song.
Twilight actresses Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning feature on The Runaways soundtrack, which may give the album a fan base it wouldn't otherwise have enjoyed.
But their efforts are largely forgettable next to (let's use that word again) classics from David Bowie, MC5, the Sex Pistols and The Stooges.
And listen to the difference in power between the actresses and the real Runaways.