Igby Goes Down
For Igby, a modern teen shackled with the type of jaded cynicism perfected by Holden Caulfield, truly dysfunctional relationships taint his life's riches.Igby's stellar songs, haunted by vague notions of discontent, soundtrack his angst. "We live in a beautiful world,"Coldplay's "Don't Panic" asserts, but Chris Martin's chilly croon sounds uneasy;Travis' cover ofthe Band's "The Weight" also seems world-weary, burdened by a soft country shuffle.The Dandy Warhols' "Boys Better" churns menacingly with their trademark droning harmonies, whilethe Beta Band's psychedelica ends in a primal jungle celebration of steel drum and chaotic whistles. Even little-known cuts by Underwater Circus and Driftland, along with three melancholy score selections, take on rueful tones. LikeAbout a Boy'sBadly Drawn Boy-pennedwhimsy, however,Igby's pensive emotions are understated. Although a strong undercurrent of sadness trails through most tracks, their nuance inspires empathy rather than pity for Igby--ultimately creating an oddly comforting, even uplifting, album.--Annie Zaleski