Kevin Smith and "Soundtrack Movies"

In the 90s, soundtrack movies were king. There’s a clear distinction between soundtrack movies and movies with a soundtrack. Movies with a soundtrack are built around big names. They climb the charts to scream “Look at me!” at the top of their lungs and draw in millions of dollars in vinyl sales. That’s not a bad thing, and the music can be brilliant, but the market has become oversaturated. Soundtrack movies, which have become something of a novelty in the 21^st century, build a world around what we hear and how that relates to the film’s characters. They lend themselves to stories about growing up and finding your place in the world. No one understands this better than Kevin Smith.

Bad Moves: Wearing Out the Refrain (2024)

 

Since they burst onto the D.C. power-pop scene in 2015, Bad Moves has been vocal about their beliefs. Lyrics tackle topics ranging from religion to climate change and media over-consumption, and although Wearing Out the Refrain, the band’s third studio album, is sweeter than the rest of their punk-afflicted discography, it packs the same punch. Complex verses mix with unwavering instrumentals to create songs you can listen to again and again.

Note: I made a lyrics page! In the future I hope to expand it to other artists I have trouble finding online. Wearing Out the Refrain is work in progress because I'm transcribing it by hand. Bare with me.