Bridesmaids, the 2011 Judd Apatow-produced, Paul Feig-directed comedy starring SNL veteran Kristen Wiig, follows the exploits of a lovelorn maid of honor (Wiig) and a small army of eccentric bridesmaids as they navigate the myriad absurdities of 21st century matrimony. The accompanying 13-track soundtrack features a steady stream of female rockers and pop sirens, along with a handful of ‘fellas (
Smokey Robinson,
Ryan Adams, and film composer
Michael Andrews) for good measure. It’s a solid little mix of pop nuggets that probably works better in the film, but stand-out cuts like
Blondie's vampy “Rip Her to Shreds,” French electro-pop collective
Nouvelle Vague's cheeky bossa nova take on the
Violent Femmes' “Blister in the Sun,” and
The Bird and the Bee vocalist
Inara George's lovely rendition of
Allen Toussaint's “It’s Raining” more than make up for
Wilson Phillips re-imploring listeners to “Hold On” with their number one 1990 hit of the same name. ~ James Christopher Monger