Wicker Park
If one needs a compelling introduction to the emotional gravitas that too often gets overlooked in fashion-obsessed indie and modern rock circles, this largely introspective song-score compilation may be just the ticket. Like its spiritual '04 twin,Garden State, it's a collection that eschews attitude for mature reflection via expected contributors like The Shins, Stereophonics and Mazzy Star, an oblique, obligatory cover or two (Postal Service's seductive reworking of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds"; Jackson Browne's "These Days" in an alt.pretty take by Mates of State) yet achieves other compelling moments from newcomers (the straightforward torchiness of Jaime Wyatt's "Light Switch") and veterans (Johnette Napolitano and Danny Lohner's stark, gritty acoustic reworking of Coldplay's "Scientist") alike. Other standouts range from the hip, hypno-spacey murk of "We Have a Map of the Piano" by Mum to the crafty, Beatle-esque pop of Lifehouse's "Everybody is Someone."--Jerry McCulley