Music From The O.C. Mix 5 Soundtrack CD

While season three of The O.C. may not have quite the impact of the show's earlier episodes, the series' musical compilations keep getting better and sharper. The O.C. Mix 5 may be the most eclectic and distinctive collection of music associated with the show yet, and as its yearbook-like artwork suggests, it also works well as a time capsule of alternative rock trends from the mid-2000s. Reflecting the influx of British bands fusing post-punk, new wave, and Britpop, the collection includes the Primal Scream-isms of Kasabian's "Reason Is Treason," and the Kaiser Chiefs' supremely snotty "Na Na Na Na Naaah" is the band at its Blur-meets-Menswear-iest. There's more of an emphasis on straight-up indie pop on this collection too, with the Shout Out Louds' "Wish I Was Dead, Pt. 2," Rogue Wave's "Publish My Love," and Of Montreal's "Requiem for O.M.M" among the standout tracks. Meanwhile, LCD Soundsystem's electro-rock workout "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House" provides a brash contrast to all of that sweetness and light. Not all of the soundtrack spends its time chasing trends, however: the Youth Group's cover of "Forever Young" fits into the atmospheric, bittersweet sound that used to be the quintessential "O.C. sound," while Phantom Planet's "California 2005" is an acoustic version of the series' and band's definitive song. Fellow O.C. soundtrack alumni Imogen Heap returns and closes the album with the breathtakingly lovely "Hide and Seek," which ranks among the most beautiful songs these compilations have showcased. Though the album makes some strange omissions, leaving off songs by Beck, Bloc Party, Coldplay, and M.I.A. that all played prominent roles on various episodes, and focusing on less obvious choices, The O.C. Mix 5 comes pretty close to the handmade intimacy of a mixtape or playlist. ~ Heather Phares
By its fifth installment, the O.C. TV-show soundtrack was a veritable institution, serving as a de facto NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL MUSIC! for the indie-rock set. This 2005 edition is typically up to par, mixing groove-oriented, electronica-tinged tunes (LCD Soundsystem's bass-heavy "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House," Gorillaz's slinky "Kids with Guns") with potent power-pop (the Subways' surging "Rock & Roll Queen," Rogue Wave's resonant "Publish My Love") and mellower numbers (Stars' subdued "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead," Imogen Heap's electro-a cappella "Hide and Seek"). The collection also includes an updated acoustic version of Phantom Planet's "California," the teen drama's catchy theme song.