CD Review

Title:  OMFGG:  Original Music Featured on Gossip Girl, Vol. 1

Various Artists

Label:  Atlantic Records/Warner records

Released: October 28^th 2008

Reviewed by Melanie Shim (Vancouver Correspondent)

Television’s most popular guilty pleasure has never sounded so good.  Currently in its sophomore season, the CW’s hit show, Gossip Girl, has become one of the biggest shows the young network has to offer.  With Josh Schwartz of The O.C. fame and Stephanie Savage of Degrassi: The Next Generation popularity, teen drama has entered a whole new realm of irony and wit.  Boasting digital documentation of the tawdry affairs involving high school students in New York’s coveted Upper East Side area, Gossip Girl promises sass, fun and a little naughtiness.

And now, attempting to cash in on its sudden rise to must-see TV, producers have decided that it was time for a compilation of songs featured on Gossip Girl.  Like what Josh Schwartz did with The O.C.’s collection of mixed tapes in CD form, the album’s “Vol. 1” in the title indicates that there are more records to come.

Titled OMFGG:  Original Music Featured on Gossip Girl (as a clever take on the abbreviations used in the blogosphere), the album is compiled of appropriate tunes that define Gossip Girl.  Danceable and perhaps a tad kitschy, the music seems to promise the freeing of inhibitions, cheekiness with a smidgen of sexiness thrown in the mix.

The record opens with “Sour Cherry” by The Kills.  Loud and jarring to produce head-bopping tendencies, this song demands movement of some sort before the end.  Perfect for exercising or getting your blood pumping in the morning, this track is thoroughly entertaining and a great start to a dreary autumn day.

Another particularly standout song is “One Week of Danger” by The Virgins.  Mischievous lyrics set to New Wave-esque sensibilities, the song features cheeky one liners and bold distinctions between “liking” and “loving”.  The version on this compilation is actually their demo version, and I think I rather like it better than the version they have on their own record.  It sounds rawer, edgier with a bit of fraying on the sides.

An additional notable track is “We Started Nothing” by The Ting Tings.  This British duo’s song has a similar tone with all the other tunes on the album: big, loud rhythms that inspire shimmy and shaking on the dance floor.  With slick coolness and stylish beats, the song is fantastic for a crisp fall day when you are feeling a little insolent and reckless.

The album slows with the last track, but somehow the spirit of television series is kept intact.  While “Three Wishes” by The Pierces is seemingly out of place, the song perhaps represents an ambiguous view of Gossip Girl.  The show does portrays the flashy, ostentatious lives of New York’s Upper East Siders; but underneath all that glitz and glamour are darker tones of betrayal and deceit, making Gossip Girl the perfect primetime soap opera (replacing my defunct, but beloved show, The O.C.)

Honestly I could go on about how great the record is, but there are only so many words I can use before it becomes redundant.  Instead, I suggest this:  if you are a fan of Gossip Girl, this album is for you; if Gossip Girl is merely a guilty pleasure, this album is still the perfect companion.  Brazen, distinctive and lots of fun, OMFGG is a great record to instigate the inner “gossip girl” inside everyone.  And no matter how hard you fight, the temptation to be tactless and indiscreet is sometimes too strong.  So, use this album to indulge in the juvenile activity of gossiping because you and I both know you will love it.

Track Listing

1.        “Sour Cherry” – The Kills

2.       “Do You Wanna” – The Kooks

3.       “Do The Panic” – Phantom Planet

4.       “Feeling Better” – The Teenagers

5.       “One Week of Danger” – The Virgins

6.       “Got Your Number” – Nadia Oh

7.       “Crimewave (Crystal Castles vs. Health)” – Crystal Castles

8.       “Fight Song” – The Republic Tigers

9.       “Cities in Dust” – Junkie XL

10.   “We Started Nothing” – The Ting Tings

11.   “Breakfast in NYC” – Oppenheimer

12.   “Three Wishes” – The Pierces

If you are looking for more entertainment in the form of music, check out these other artists for similar tracks to those featured on OMFGG: 

Lykke Li:  A fresh artist from Sweden, Lykke Li uses her distinctive voice over danceable rhythms to, in turn, invoke further dancing from the listener.  See:  “Little Bit” and “Dance Dance Dance”

Robyn:  Another artist hailing from Sweden, Robyn is a bit of a veteran in the music industry with tunes that are perfect for the club scene.  See:  “With Every Heartbeat” and “Dream On”

ElectroVamp:  This pop duo from Wales has two songs featured on the How to Lose Friends and Alienate People soundtrack that should get your blood pumping.  See:  “I Love What You Do” and “Drinks Taste Better When They’re Free”

Los Campesinos!:  Also from Wales, this group is loud, brash and lots of fun.  See:  “Death to Los Campesinos!” and “Don’t Tell Me to Do the Math(s)”

Dragonette:  Featuring some home country pride, this Canadian group creates music that is sultry, vulnerable and incredibly genuine.  See:  “I Get Around” and “Another Day”

Scissor Sisters:  Bursting with mainstream success from their single “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing”, this musical act has a great selection of upbeat tunes that will have you head-bopping for hours.  See:  “Comfortably Numb” (their electronica version of Pink Floyd’s song) and “She’s My Man”