Monster In Law Monster-In-Law Soundtrack CD

Performers include Jem, Rachel Yamagata, Nellie McKay, Dar Williams, Magnet.

While it's not surprising that Monster-in-Law's soundtrack boasts an estrogen-heavy track listing, this is an unusually hip collection of songs for a mainstream romantic comedy. Singer/songwriters dominate the album, but performers such as Rachael Yamagata and Nellie McKay -- whose hilarious, thinly veiled threat "Won't U Please B Nice" is a standout -- make sure that things don't get too sweet. Even the prettiest moments, like Ivy's "I've Been Thinking About You" and Madeleine Peyroux's "Don't Wait Too Long," are elegant instead of cloying. With artists including Jem, Joss Stone, Tegan & Sara, and Astaire, Monster-in-Law often feels like a who's who of up-and-coming, post-Lilith Fair-era female performers; it's a pleasant soundtrack, especially because it's often pleasantly unpredictable. ~ Heather Phares