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.
