One Tree Hill Soundtrack CD

In the early 2000s, when radio and music-video formats became somewhat restricted, teen shows on major TV networks became the new place for up-and-coming bands to be heard. Like its soundtrack-disc brethren MUSIC FROM THE O.C. and EVERWOOD, the ONE TREE HILL album is an intriguing mix of artists trafficking in spot-on teenage yearning and angst.

Show creator Mark Schwahn's tastes dictate his series' musical content, and this unerring passion found him tapping heartthrob singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw for "I Don't Want to Be," the show's theme song, represented here by a live version. Other acts include the harmony-soaked Michelle Branch/Jessica Harp side-project the Wreckers ("The Good Kind"), sensitive Brit-popsters Travis ("Re-Offender") and Keane ("Everybody's Changing"), and emo kings Jimmy Eat World ("Kill"). Particularly nice touches are the contributions by singer/songwriter Tyler Hilton, who has a recurring role on the show. Hilton's self-penned, acoustic "Glad" sounds like a Goo Goo Dolls outtake, and his heartfelt duet with co-star Bethany Joy Lenz on Ryan Adams's "When the Stars Go Blue" does its writer justice. The ONE TREE HILL soundtrack hits its mark as a smart and varied pop music sampler.

Audio Mixers: John Feldmann; Mark Needham; Brian Malouf.

Liner Note Author: Mark Schwahn.

Recording information: Cornerstone Studios.

Creator: Mark Schwahn.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.