“‘X-Files’ Soundtrack”

Assorted Artists

“‘Godzilla’ Soundtrack”

Assorted Artists

Why is it that heavily hyped summer blockbusters, whether they are good or bad, never really have great soundtracks?

Why is it that these summer movie soundtracks are filled with horrible cover versions, senseless remixes and pathetic outtakes?

Why is it that the soundtracks to “Godzilla” and “The X-Files” are so bland and two-dimensional?

The best thing that can be said of these two soundtracks is that they both pack a lot of star power.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean much.

For example, look at the collaboration on the “‘Godzilla’ Soundtrack” between Puff Daddy, Jimmy Page and Tom Morello (guitarist for Rage Against The Machine) entitled “Come With Me.”

The song is a remake of Led Zeppelin’s classic tune “Kashmir.” Unfortunately, where “Kashmir” had great lyrics and a nuclear rhythm, “Come With Me” is bogged down with a very repetitive chorus, Puff Daddy’s raspy excuse for rapping, and a fraction of the original’s energy.

But there is a good aspect to this song (whereas, most of the other songs on these two soundtracks do not have any good qualities) — it gives Morello the chance to show that he deserves a place among rock-and-roll legends.

Unfortunately, The Wallflowers can’t say the same, based on its cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes,” which is also on the “‘Godzilla’ Soundtrack.”

Although the group covers the song by the numbers, it almost seems forced and contrived.

Isn’t Jakob Dylan creative enough to take an older classic and give it a new twist? Apparently not.

As far as the rest of the “‘Godzilla’ Soundtrack” goes, the majority of it is dismissable. This includes mediocre offerings from Days of the New, Michael Penn, Fuel, silverchair, fuzzbubble, Joey DeLuxe and the Foo Fighters.

Only Rage Against The Machine, Jamiroquai and Ben Folds Five deliver the goods on this soundtrack, and even the Rage Against The Machine song is average compared the group’s other material.

The “‘X-Files’ Soundtrack is just as starved for good material, although the spooky, confused agents do have a couple more better tunes going for them than the big, green lizard does.

Among the better songs on this soundtrack are Bjork’s “Hunter,” the Dust Brothers’ remix of “The X-Files Theme,” Sarah McLachlan’s “Black” and Noel Gallagher’s “Teotihuacan.”

McLachlan’s track is especially interesting because it is such a drastic change from her already released material.

But nothing can salvage a soundtrack that includes awful cover versions of Three Dog Night’s “One” (vandalized by Filter) or The Doors’ “Crystal Ship” (butchered and maimed by X).

Still, even though the CD only has three really good songs on it, there are plenty ofmediocre songs to go around. Unfortunately, there are some really good bands (Soul Coughing, Ween and Tonic) who contribute mediocre material.

Now for the mystery, Agent Mulder — who picked out the material for these soundtracks, and why haven’t they been shot yet?

“‘Godzilla’ Soundtrack”

2 Stars out of five

“‘X-Files’ Soundtrack”

2 1/2 Stars out of five

—Ben Jones