The
soundtrack
to the fourth
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
movie -- a computer-generated cartoon for 2007 that appears 14 years after the last live-action film was released -- is sort of like the masked heroes themselves: part mischief, part sweetness, and ready to kick ass at a moment's notice. This is embodied best in the creeping
rap
-
rock
of
Gym Class Heroes
'
"Shell Shock"
; its night-watcher feel, slight cockiness, and quick-tongued delivery is perfect for one of those late-night alley scenes where
the Turtles
lay the smack down on some of
Shredder
's third-rate crooks. The bulk of the
is centered on
alternative rock
and
pop
punk
tunes whose energy levels vary between sun-touched laziness and empowering
explosions, and thus evoke images of both urban chaos and relaxing beachfronts. The snarling
Billy Talent
's
"Red Flag"
and deep dance grooves of
Cobra Starship
"Awww Dip"
are for getting pumped up, while the smooth island vibe of
Pepper
"Bring Me Along"
and fresh-faced
Amber Pacific
"Fall Back Into My Life"
are fine for just kicking back under a clear blue sky. Rounding out the album are cuts from the likes of Australian garage rockers
Jet
, jangly
emo
outfit
This Providence
, charming
indie pop
sisters
Meg & Dia
, and remix-loving rap-metalers
P.O.D.
, to name a few. This
won't leave you shell shocked (and it plays somewhat disjointedly), but if certain heroes in a half-shell approve it, then okay. Now if only someone had covered the classic
Turtles
theme song -- then there really would have been cause for delight. ~ Corey Apar