Original Soundtrack - Departed / O.S.T. (CD)

All Music Guide

If The Departed found Martin Scorsese relying on some of his old tricks so his new tricks packed a bigger punch, so it is with the movie's soundtrack: he hauls out many of his old favorites the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, the Band; classic RB in the form of LaVern Baker which only has the effect of giving the surprise left turns more impact. Chief among those surprises is the Dropkick Murphys' throttling "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," a bracing bit of Celtic punk that plays a crucial part in the film and also dominates here, but there are quieter surprises, too, such as the cool waves of the Beach Boys' "Sail on, Sailor," some bluesrock from Roy Buchanan and the Allman Brothers, or even the fact that the Van Morrison number is a cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb." Another surprise is that the Stones' "Gimme Shelter," which plays a prominent role in the film, is nowhere to be found here, but that's a mild surprise since the Stones are indeed present with "Let It Loose." That track embodies a soundtrack that works familiar territory but makes it seem fresh and fun, just like the movie itself.

- Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide