The magical triad behind Rushmore's spunky, starry-eyed soundtrack--music supervisor Randall Poster, composer Mark Mothersbaugh, and director Wes Anderson--leaps forward a decade from that beloved soundtrack's '60s gems, in the process adopting a more pensive feel for The Royal Tenenbaums' musical backdrop. It may lack the euphoric sing-along feel of, say, Creation's "Makin' Time," but the rock and folk tracks here perfectly match the film's crumbling characters and their dilapidated relationships. The Ramones' "Judy Is a Punk" is a burst of nostalgic rebellion but surely causes a sad twinge in light of Joey Ramone's untimely death in 2001; gloom-folker Nick Drake's "Fly" and Elliott Smith's excellently depressing "Needle in the Hay"--which is used to chilling effect during a wrist-slashing scene--further deepen the dark thread running through Tenenbaums. But those who prefer the sunny disposition of Rushmore will be thrilled by the calming concoctions of Mothersbaugh, who heralds the coming of a new scene with graceful woodwind/string parts ("Scrapping and Yelling") and playful sitar pieces ("Pagoda's Theme"). Throw in the Clash's squalling "Police & Thieves" and the Velvet Underground's petal-soft "Stephanie Says" and you've got another winning soundtrack from the film biz's most in-tune music lovers. Tenenbaum or not, you can go home again. --Kristy Martin

I don't know how Wes Anderson does it, but he does it well. The music on this soundtrack is so diverse, but like in the movie, it just works incredibly well for whatever reason. If you have a decent taste in music, chances are you will enjoy ever twist and turn of this album.

A soft-sounding awesome laid-back soundtrack for an amazing movie - a mix of Nick Drake, Elliot Smith, and a great instrumental of Hey Jude. Love it!

I like this soundtrack because its very laid back. Enjoyable songs that help you relax.

Hey, maybe you guys can help me, does anyone know the title of the song playing on a radio while owen wilson is getting high (or preparing to do so) with his friends and his dad and brother step in and tell him they want to help him. I really love that song and i have no idea what the title is

For anyone interested, one song which was omitted from the soundtract which has not been mentioned is:

Emitt Rhodes - Lullabye

A beautiful track played in the scence where Royal is lying in his bed sucking down a shake and reading a book when Chas say "lights out old man" and switchs off the light. One of my fav songs in the movie along side the rolling stones - she smiled sweetly. sadly both songs were omitted but still a beautiful soundtrack.