When I saw Get Him To The Greek in 2010, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed both the film and the music performed in it. I was already a fan of the main character, Aldous Snow (played by Russell Brand), from his appearance in one of my favourite movies, 2008’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall. While FSM merely introduced the fictional rock musician to the world, GHTTG is all about Aldous and his band, Infant Sorrow.

At the start of the film, Aldous is seen as a drug addict whom has ruined his career, and the premise of the movie is about the journey he takes to end up back at the top of the charts.  The film’s soundtrack is presented as if it’s a “real” rock album, with most of the songs coming from the movie, but also including several new tracks, recorded just for the album. Infant Sorrow is credited as the band, instead of Russell Brand. Real-life musician, Jarvis Cocker, is credited as a writer on two of the songs (Just Say Yes, and F.O.H.), while Brand does his best rockstar impersonation as the frontman of Infant Sorrow.

The best song on the album is easily The Clap, a punk song reminiscent of The Sex Pistols, with a killer electric guitar solo. The lyrics are ridiculous, yet fun (“We got the clap/Can’t be beat/Got it off the back of a toilet seat/Shake your hips/Mind your feet/Oh yeah/We got the clap!”), and the infectious chorus is one I had stuck in my head throughout the entire film.  Gang of Lust is probably second best, with the chorus being a simple repetition of “Let’s get f–ked up on the town!” The raucous sentiment is a bit over-the-top, but the song is still undeniably fun.  Yeah Yeah Oi Oi sounds like something you’d end up chanting at a sporting event, but it’s still a catchy song. Brand channels Bono for Going Up, a mid-tempo number about Infant Sorrow gaining success again.

Furry Walls is probably the silliest of all, with the title referencing a hilarious scene in the movie (which I won’t spoil), but the enthusiastic drumming and catchy beat make the song actually worth listening to. Actually, the “silliest song” honour really goes to African Child (Trapped In Me), which is intentionally bad; the song was the one that Infant Sorrow released after “selling out” and the track is every bit as corny as you’d expect from a band that’s right on the verge of losing their career. The sound is significantly watered-down and pop focused, while the lyrics reach at being inspirational (“There’s sunshine in my veins/My kitchen’s filled with flies/I’m crying out in vain/Like a little African child/Trapped in me/There’s an African child/Trapped in me”), but verge on being offensive instead. Of course this song sucks, but it’s supposed to, and that really comes across more when you’ve seen the movie and the horrible music video which accompanies it.

On the other side of the spectrum is Bangers, Beans, and Mash, a typical rock power ballad, with another memorable chorus (“Why won’t you call and come home?/Please call and come home/And I know you won’t come just for the cash/Will you come for my bangers/My beans and mash?”) and riff. Thankfully, Brand- though by no means a fantastic singer- sings well enough to pull off the slow song just as well as the fast-paced rock numbers. In fact, I’d go as far as saying that if I didn’t know any better, I’d think the song was from an actual rock band, instead of just a parody of one. I don’t remember F.O.H.being included in the movie, but the song starts off as another slow number before transitioning into a song about having sex while under the influence of heroin. Soft ballad, Little Bird, channels The Beatles, and musically, the song is another on the album that I’d likely think was just a regular rock song, had I not known whom the artist performing it was.

The disc ends with two songs by another of the faux musicians from the film, Jackie Q. Jackie Q (played and sung by Australian actress, Rose Byrne) is pop star, as well as Aldous’ on-again/off-again girlfriend. Supertight is a raunchy pop number, in which Jackie Q makes some suggestive comments about her, well…vagina. Ring ‘Round is a playful pop track that’s actually about anal sex. While none of the songs on the album (or the movie itself) are kid-friendly, these tracks are by far the least; Jackie Q’s schtick is being a “naughty girl” which is obvious in her provocative pop music.

If I had to nitpick, my only real complaints about the Get Him To The Greek Soundtrack is that it’s entirely too long.  While I do get the idea of releasing the album as though it’s from a real band, let’s be honest here: Infant Sorrow isn’t a real band, and I really don’t need 13 tracks of Russell Brand singing, when six or seven tracks could’ve gotten the point across just as well.  Also, I was less impressed with the fact that the iconic song from both Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him To The Greek (and the biggest song in Aldous Snow’s fake career), “Inside of You” is missing.  I know the song was included on the FSM soundtrack, but it would’ve been great here too.  That being said, however, the Get Him to the Greek soundtrack is excellent- fans of the movie will love reliving their favourite scenes, and it’s all set to some pretty decent rock tunes.

Rating: 

Track List
1. Just Say Yes
2. Gang Of Lust
3. Furry Walls
4. Going Up
5. Bangers, Beans and Mash
6. The Clap
7. I Am Jesus
8. Riding Daphne
9. F.O.H.
10. Yeah Yeah Oi Oi
11. African Child (Trapped In Me)
12. Little Bird
13. Searching For A Father
14. Supertight
15. Ring ‘Round