Original TV Soundtrack - One Tree Hill - Music from the Television Series, Vol. 3: The Road Mix (CD)

All Music Guide

Since One Tree Hill debuted in 2003, the cultfavorite teen drama has become more watchable and complex with each season and, judging by One Tree Hill Music from the Television Series, Vol. 3: The Road Mix, it's also developed more eclectic taste in music. The sensitive balladry that appeared on the first two One Tree Hill soundtracks is still here, represented by Dashboard Confessional's "Don't Wait," the Honorary Title's "Stay Away," and the Weepies' "World Spins Madly On." And, of course, Tyler Hilton has a track, the typically earnest, acoustic "You'll Ask for Me." Nevertheless, this volume has the widest musical boundaries. Lupe Fiasco's "I Gotcha" and the Constantines' "Soon Enough" bring bracing hiphop and soaring, Springsteenesque indie rock to One Tree Hill's city limits, while Gym Class Heroes' genrebending cover of "Good Vibrations" manages to be moody and funky at the same time. The soundtrack also features tracks by artists who somehow didn't make it onto The O.C.'s mixes, such as José González's folkie version of the Knife's "Heartbeats" and Band of Horses' "The Funeral." Granted, these songs, along with tracks by Iron Wine and Songs: Ohia, aren't such a far stretch from the more mainstream winsome sounds on this and the other One Tree Hill soundtracks, but they still help make Vol. 3 the most wellrounded collection of music from the show.

- Heather Phares, All Music Guide