Album Review

Sex And The City 2 Soundtrack –

• 21st May 2010

The series and movie of Sex and the City are not really known for having fabulous soundtracks. Unfortunately, this album upholds that current reputation. It throws together what could have been an impressive risk, by mixing unknown names, a choir and big names from past and present, such as the likes of Liza Minelli, Cyndi Lauper, Dido and Alicia Keys. However, it just does not come together.

I sat with my earphones trying to imagine what the producers were trying to achieve. The movie has scenes filmed in Morocco, I get it. That explains the random tracks with a distinct Middle-Eastern vibe, containing horns and occasional wailings. In context, this is fine. Combined with Liza Minelli and jazzy lounge music though?

The first track is Alicia Keys performing Blondie’s “Rapture”. It does have a distinct 80s/early 90s feel to it, the rap motif reminiscent of the opening credits of the Fresh Prince of Bel Air – it is a bit of fun.

This is followed by a short-lived giggle when listening to Liza Minelli’s rendition of Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) but the interest wears thin after a few seconds. Her grating, bordering on slightly masculine voice puts an unusual, but not altogether pleasant, spin on this track. I would stick to the Glee kid’s version of this track, personally.

It was with hope I got to the tracks by The Sex and The City Men’s Choir, only to be let down. They provide a few songs for the soundtrack, belting out some Disney-esque showtunes, conjuring up images of the Little Mermaid and Aladdin, rather than sexy New York scenes.

Finally, I excitedly reached the track sung by the Sex and the City ladies themselves – SJP, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cythia Nixon. Unfortunately, it was just like witnessing the women after a night out on the town, sounding like they had stumbled into a karaoke bar and given no thought to the concept of being in tune. We can forgive them I suppose – they are actresses, not singers, after all.

However, the rest of the songs are supposedly by musical artists. I could really only find a few tracks which saved the whole album being a disaster. Amongst the Bollywood, head-wobbling tunes is nestled a track by one of Australian Idol’s claim to fame singers, Ricki-Lee. She is surprisingly impressive with her catchy “Can’t Touch It”. Cyndi (as in Lauper – who else!?) doesn’t fail to disappoint with “True Colours”. The winning track was Empire State of Mind (Part II) by Alicia Keys (and in my opinion a whole lot better that Part I by Jay-Z and Alicia). But honestly – I would skip this album, and hope the movie does better than this.