SONGS IN THE KEY OF X  -  VARIOUS ARTISTS

YEAR:  1996
LABEL:  Warner Bros.
TRACK LISTING:  X-Files Theme (Main Title)  -  Mark Snow,  Unmarked Helicopters - Soul Coughing,  On the Outside - Sheryl Crow,  Down In the Park - Foo Fighters,  Star Me Kitten - William S. Burroughs & R.E.M.,  Red Right Hand - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds,  Thanks Bro - Filter,  Man of Steel - Frank Black,  Unexplained - Meat Puppets,  Deep - Danzig,  Frenzy - Screamin' Jay Hawkins,  My Dark Life - Elvis Costello with Brian Eno,  Hands of Death (Burn Baby Burn) - Rob Zombie & Alice Cooper,  If You Never Say Goodbye - P.M. Dawn,  X-Files Theme (P.M. Dawn Remix)  -  P.M. Dawn
IMPRESSIONS:  This is not a soundtrack album; despite the fact that a couple songs did actually appear on the X-FILES TV show.  This is a compilation album of songs "inspired" by THE X-FILES during the height of its popularity.  I watched the show from its beginning (when no one else was watching, I hasten to add) and slowly lost interest after a few years just as the rest of the world was getting into the show.  Ah, I've never been a follower.  However, I always liked the conspiracy/paranoia atmosphere evoked by the show and this album (along with David Baerwald's TRIAGE album) perfectly conjure it up.  I think my favourite songs on the album are the Soul Coughing and Nick Cave songs because they REALLY strike the right mood.  I am far from a Sheryl Crow fan but "On the Outside" is the best thing she's ever done and the only thing by the artist I can listen to.  The Foo Fighters' Gary Numan cover is also a winner.
MY FAVOURITE TRACKS:  Unmarked Helicopters - Soul Coughing,  On the Outside - Sheryl Crow,  Down In the Park - Foo Fighters,  Red Right Hand - Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds,  Man of Steel - Frank Black,  Unexplained - Meat Puppets
FACT SHEET:  SONGS IN THE KEY OF X is a compilation album inspired by the Fox TV series THE X-FILES.  The album was originally supposed to feature songs by Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Seal but these plans fell through.  "Star Me Kitten" is a new version of a song found on R.E.M.'s 1992 album AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE.  "Down In the Park" is a cover version of a song by Gary Numan.  "Hands of Death (Burn Baby Burn) was nominated for the 1997 Best Metal Performance.