Thumbsucker
The indie dramaThumbsucker, pertaining to a 14-year old boy struggling with the habit that gives the movie its title, gets the symphonic treatment with this original score by Tim DeLaughter of The Polyphonic Spree. Mingling with the flowery orchestration and flute trills are three tracks by the late Elliott Smith, who was involved in the early development of the film with director Mike Mills. While Spree fans have come to expect the full sonic overload of the 20+ strong ensemble, DeLaughter's best track is the one where he picks up a guitar and sings sans backing band, "Wonderful You." DeLaughter is in a delicate situation here, sharing the disc with the superior song craft of Smith. Smith's contributions, including "Let’s Get Lost" fromFrom a Basement on the Hilland the never-before-released "Thirteen" and "Trouble" only hint at what this soundtrack might have been. While DeLaughter's tracks make good film music, Smith's stand upright on their own, regardless of context. Ultimately, both contributors provide the soundtrack with a feeling of adolescent melancholy well suited for the film.-- Ryan Boudinot