Before you can think of the humor contained within this soundtrack, you have to consider the overall quality of the songs and the music. It is an odd thing to think that the music is actually any good from a parody, but it is. Seriously, the music on this album may not be the most original but there is a certain level of quality and a distinct catchiness. It is hard not to like this music, even if the humor is not immediately apparent it has a way of getting into your head and taking hold. Before you know it, you will be humming along in spite of yourself.
Some of the songs lose a touch of their effectiveness when separated from the film, but for the most part they will take you back to moments of the film. Take, for example, "Take My Hand" which introduces Reilley playing a teenage Cox at a school talent show, or when Cox steps up as bandleader at a predominantly black club and sings "(Mama) You Gotta Love Your Negro Man." Also, how could you forget moments like the interview about Bob Dylan that gives us "Royal Jelly," or the genesis of "Walk Hard." Then there is the unforgettable double entendre laden duet with Darlene (played by the adorable Jenna Fischer), "Let's Duet," which is probably the most outright hilarious song on the album.
The lyrics tend towards the simplistic, but that is not a knock on them. They accurately reflect the simple and impressionable mind of Dewey Cox. He always latches onto whatever he most recently heard and sets out to make it his own in hie writing. Funny stuff.
Beyond the efforts of the writers, a good deal of credit should be given to John C. Reilley who does all of his own singing. He has a good voice and has a background in musical theater, not to mention being an Oscar nominee for his role in the musical Chicago. He sounds great on all of the songs and does a great job in the title role. It should also be mentioned that he even went on the road as Dewey Cox and did a full tour of these songs from coast to coast. Now what they need to do is release a Dewey concert DVD!
Bottomline. The movie is a blast, the music is a blast, and you really cannot go wrong with either one. The music is eminently listenable and catchy as all heck. Listen to it, love it, and recognize the musical genius that is Cox!
Highly Recommended.
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