The latest releases reviewed
**
This is "music from and inspired by the motion picture" Evan Almighty, and the caveat is important. Only five of the tracks are actually in the movie. And, of course, the music is not "inspired" by the movie: most of the 11 tracks not in the flop comedy were recorded before it was even conceived. Now, the track selection might be "inspired" by the movie, but it is pretty inconsistent inspiration. For instance, alongside the mangling of This Land Is Your Land by the Mike Curb Congregation sits the redemptive (well, in this company, anyway) rock of Sharp Dressed Man, a song reckoned to be so important that two versions appear here (the original by ZZTop and a reasonable stab by Jo Dee Messina). On the plus side, LeAnn Rimes shows off her gospel pipes on Ready for a Miracle, while John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival spread some sunshine with Have You Ever Seen the Rain. www.evanalmighty.com JOE BREEN
Download tracks:Ready for a Miracle, Sharp Dressed Man
At some point four years ago, Domino Records signed a Faustian pact. Until then, Domino's acts had critical acclaim but no real sales. Then came Franz Ferdinand, followed by Arctic Monkeys. Success begat bigger success. Now, when Domino strikes a novel deal to supply all the music for a film (the soon-to-be-released Hallam Foe) from acts across its roster, the movie becomes one of the buzz releases of the year, and the soundtrack wins at the Berlin Film Festival. In truth, it's an up-and- down collection. Bill Wells Trio's effortless, slightly nervy piano is soundtrack pitch-perfect. Clinic remind why they could never quite be Radiohead, but Franz F disappoint with Hallam Foe Dandelion Bow, the only song written specifically for the movie - a throwaway track that turns out to be a reworked B-side. Still, given Domino's current luck it'll be in Oscar contention. www.dominorecordco.com PAUL MCNAMEE
Download tracks:Bill Wells Trio: Also in White; James Yorkston and the Athletes: Surf Song
