Original Television Soundtrack - Charmed: The Book of Shadows (CD)

All Music Guide

While it isn't much more tied into the action on the show than the first Charmed soundtrack was, Charmed: The Book of Shadows streamlines its approach, focusing on female artists both loud and gentle rather than the willynilly, grabbag feel that Charmed had too often. Though the soundtrack boasts more than a few wellknown names, like Sarah McLachlan, Vanessa Carlton, Dido, the Donnas and Liz Phair, several of the collection's highlights belong to some of the slightly undertheradar artists. Missy Higgins' "Unbroken" is a piece of whimsical singer/songwriter pop that sounds (pleasantly) like Fiona Applelite, while Butterfly Boucher's "I Can't Make Me" treads similarly breezy, alternative singer/songwriter territory. Meanwhile, Shivaree's "I Close My Eyes" has a twangy, sexy undercurrent that sets it apart from the album's sometimes tooethereal feel. A few forays into a danceoriented sound (David Garcia and High Spies' remix of "Pieces of Me," the Swiss American Federation Club Mix of Sar...ah Brightman's "Free") aren't entirely successful, but they add a little diversity to the soundtrack without making it sound too scattered. In fact, Charmed: Book of Shadows plays a lot more like a handmade mixtape or playlist than a soundtrack full of promotional opportunities, which can only be to its credit. - Heather Phares, All Music Guide Read more Less