Shrek - Music from the Original Motion Picture
LikeThe Muppet ShoworThe Simpsons,Shrekis tiered with visual appeal, fantasy, and sophisticated humor that appeals to children and adults on two mutually exclusive levels. Judging by the soundtrack alone, there is some genuine emotion coming from this movie;Rufus Wainwright, theProclaimers, and especially theEelsall pen winsome, longing tunes. Dana Glover's "It Is You (I Have Loved)" represents the soundtrack's requisite glossy ballad, but it's better than most, andJohn Powell's climactic, orchestral "True Love's First Kiss" makes one wish there was a full score to accompany this soundtrack. On the flip side,Smash Mouthcover theMonkees' "I'm a Believer" with a groovy treatment of crunchy hip-hop beats, and Leslie Carter (sister ofAaronandNick) gives a perky performance on theBritney-esque "Like Wow!" The soundtrack squeezes the last drops of juice from the overplayed Smash Mouth hit "All Star," but other than that, it strikes a great balance between cute-but-not-precious pop hits, and more grown-up songs that are well within reach of young ears.--Beth Massa