Eccentric soundtrack saves film

A Life Less Ordinary is a double-edged sword. The words "less ordinary" can be taken to mean two things, depending on your perspective.

The words can have a positive connotation: fantastic, imaginative, outstanding. Or they can have a negative implication: erratic, oddball, weird.

A Life Less Ordinary, the relatively new film starring Cameron Diaz and Ewan McGregor of Trainspotting fame, definitely veers towards the latter definition. The film is basically the rehashed story of a struggling writer (McGregor) who flips out when he's fired, kidnaps his rich boss' daughter (Diaz), falls for her and travels down the Bonnie and Clyde path.

Nothing unusual, so far. The movie's problem is that its creators try to superimpose a ridiculously abnormal storyline about destiny, angels and divine intervention onto a fairly benign plot. The result is not plausible and ingestion of the hard-to-swallow Hollywood gimmick may result in vomiting.

The film's salvation lies in its soundtrack. The eclectic collection of songs is also less ordinary, but in the most positive sense of variety and invention. From cutting edge releases to classic ballads, the random assortment lacks boundaries and succeeds in providing unexpected musical finds.

The album's first track is from Beck Hansen, the peculiar and wonderful creator known by the masses by his first name alone. No longer a stereotyped "loser" or a posterchild for Generation X, Beck is now an established songwriter and well-respected by his peers for his clever use of words and atypical sound to create peerless audio murals.

"Deadweight" is typical Beck in that it's like nothing I've heard before. Displaying his abilities to blend genres,Beck pairs a classic lounge rhythm with fanciful lyrics and bizarre sound effects to form an irrational daydream of a song. Imagine a chance encounter between "The Girl from Epa Nema" and The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. Weird.

Another extraordinary performance is the new version of the painful R.E.M. ballad "Leave." Complete with new harrowing vocals from Michael Stipe, the track glistens as one of those songs that has been soaked in tears, time and again.

The album also includes a few other selections from artists who are constantly pushing the creative envelope. Luscious Jackson delivers "Love is Here," a harmonious piece that slowly seeps into the infectious elevator music in your head and the Sneaker Pimps offer up "Velvet Divorce," which exhibits their knack for unifying soul and electricity.

No stranger to soundtracks, Folk Implosion submits one of its most intriguing songs to date on A Life Less Ordinary. The resourceful duo, which composed the majority of the music for the controversial film Kids, is back with fervor. "Kingdom of Lies" slips the listener into a realm of disturbing, yet compelling gloom. Listening to the song is like succumbing to the unavoidable urge to stare at the bleeding victims of a tragic car crash.

Apart from the herd of strange and unordinary musical acts, the soundtrack includes two greats from the good ol' days: Elvis Presley and Bobby Darin. Presley's rendition of "Always On My Mind" may not be the man during his glorious youth, but it's still a memorable moment. On the other hand, Darin simply sparkles on the irresistibly romantic hit,"Beyond the Sea."

Also featured on the eccentric soundtrack are offerings from the Cardigans, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Ash, Faithless, Dusted and the ever-entertaining Prodigy.

To make a long story disappear, don't watch the movie. However, if you're up for anything random, pick up the soundtrack for A Life Less Ordinary, kick back in your favorite recliner and vegetate while music fills your worried mind.