Dear John [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

Recording information: The Eastwood Scoring Stage Warner Bros. Studios.
Arrangers: Chris Westlake; Zack Ryan; Peter Seibert.
The soundtrack to director Lasse Hallstrom's film adaptation of author Nicholas Sparks' (The Notebook) best-selling romance features ten tracks, all of which conform (in one way or another) to the rules set by chick flick soundtracks passed. The overall tone of the collection is one of affection and heartbreak, pillars that naturally lend themselves to midtempo balladry. Some of that treacle is done well, as in the case of Deborah Lurie's pastoral "Dear John Theme," Swell Season's lovely "The Moon," and star Amanda Seyfried's own "Little House" (the latter, who lent her voice to 2008's ABBA-inspired musical Mamma Mia!, has penned a debut that should win her some favor with the Taylor Swift crowd), but the others fail to connect on any level other than immaculately crafted background noise. ~ James Christopher Monger