Various Artists - "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels"

Arizona Daily Wildcat

One of my first reactions as I walked out of the theater after seeing "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," was, "When does the soundtrack come out?"

Of course, like any other English film, the CD has its share of hip, underground British groups that hardly anyone on this side of the pond has heard of. However, an eclectic and fun range of genres intermingled with humorous dialogue excerpts from the film make the "Lock Stock" soundtrack continuously listenable.

I recall doing a little in-seat grooving while watching the flick, and was happy to find not one, but two James Brown tracks on the CD, as well as some other old school vocal stylings by reggae and doo-wop artists. Dusty Springfield, the most soulful white singer, supplies a gender-bending version of "Spooky," and a three minute track called "Zorba the Greek" will leave you hungry for spanakopita. The modern tracks combine electronically enhanced instruments with angsty and singable lyrics. Also, the "Lock Stock" soundtrack is worth a buy if for no other reason than the fact that co-star Sting did not contribute anything.

- rebecca missel