VARIOUS PARTY MONSTER SOUNDTRACK COMPILATION ALBUM TVT RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 2, 2003 REVIEW: OCTOBER 20, 2003

If I were to make a movie about the 80’s dance scene in New York, I sure as hell wouldn’t include a lot of contemporary music. Even though there are clear connections between the scene and the current fad for electroclash, I just don’t think it’s such a bright idea.
The makers of "Party Monster" thought it was a brilliant concept to happily mix Nina Hagen and Stacey Q with Miss Kitten and Ladytron. Maybe they thought they could unite the best of two worlds (which, in all fairness, share the same borders to start with), but they only succeed in making the record (I haven’t seen the film) half-baked. "Party Monster" doesn’t function as an introduction to the glamorous and decadent old NY more than it does to the electro movement of today. Instead we get some good songs - first and foremost "Seventeen" and "Take Me to the Club" - together with a few tunes we wish could have been forgotten forever.
Maybe this is a good record to put on if you have a party of your own. But not if it’s an 80’s theme party, if you know what I mean. Almost all tracks are danceable and, if not scrutinised too closely, somewhat enjoyable.
Note on the side A: It’s funny that Marilyn Manson (who has a role in the movie) also is featured on the soundtrack. But if you are a fan you needn’t buy the record just because of him. "The La La Song" isn’t… hmm, his best work, to say the least.
Note on the side B: A girl eating the brain from a dead guy is never a good idea for a cover of a record. Another creative concept where I and the makers of "Party Monster" clearly don’t agree.

KALLE MALMSTEDT