Streetlight Records

Reviews:

There are many reasons why the Fox teensploitation dramedy The O.C. is the greatest thing to happen to television since Beverly Hills, 90210, not the least of which is the fact that a song's inclusion on the show's soundtrack instantly makes that song better. Take Matt Pond PA's previously unreleased cover of Oasis' "Champagne Supernova," which closes the fourth installment of the Music From The O.C. compilation series. On its own, it's a completely unnecessary rendition that's practically indistinguishable from the original. But when the cover is playing behind Seth and Summer's rain-soaked reunification kiss, it's suddenly the most romantic piece of music of all time.

Though Seth and Summer don't come with the packaging, Mix 4 is still an enjoyable round-up of sweet, safe indie rock for shy kids who want to be edgy-but not too edgy. The Futureheads, Modest Mouse and Beck provide punchy, danceable tracks that contrast with the twinkling trip-hop of Imogen Heap and Flunk and the hushed folk-pop of Sufjan Stevens and the Reindeer Section. But the disc's highlight is "Eve, the Apple of My Eye" by the Irish band Bell X1, a Coldplay-esque piano ballad that builds to a glorious, horn-accented crescendo. Yes, it's totally sappy. But what O.C. episode isn't?