COLUMBIA/SMS CASTS
SPIDER-MAN 2 WEB
The PoMo rock-oriented album’s two lead tracks are Dashboard Confessional’s “Vindicated” and Train’s “Ordinary,” both with clips already rolling at MTV and other video outlets. Both songs play over the end titles of the movie.
“Most of the bands on the album have been huge fans of Spider-Man since childhood,” says Columbia Pictures President of Worldwide Music Lia Vollack, who stopped counting the opening-day grosses long enough to take our call. “For instance, on the Dashboard Confessional song, Chris Carabba was able to capture Peter Parker’s dilemma perfectly.”
“We tried to create something true to the movie and what the character stands for,” says Sony Music Soundtrax macher Glen Brunman after calculating the profits from popcorn sales. “Spider-Man is a different kind of superhero, a man of the people. And that’s why we were able to get such great songs for both albums.”
In addition, the disc includes new songs from Hoobastank (“Did You”), Jet (“Hold On”), Yellowcard (“Gifts and Curses”), Maroon 5 (“Woman”), Taking Back Sunday (“This Photograph Is Proof [I Know You Know]”), Smile Empty Soul (“Who I Am”), the Ataris (“The Night That the Lights Went Out In NYC”), Ana (“We Are”) and Jimmy Gnecco featuring Brian May. Jet’s “Hold On,” as well as the tracks from Dashboard Confessional and Train, will be included in the movie, the latter two over the end titles.
Other acts who contribute include developing new Sony acts Lostprophets (“Lucky You”) and Midtown (“Give It Up”), as well as two pieces from score composer Danny Elfman.
In a first, Sony Soundtrax is simultaneously releasing 11 different versions of the soundtrack with as many as 19 songs, including bonus tracks from local acts customized for each territory, many of which will be accompanied by videos. These include Danish quartet Mew, Japanese group TMR, Brazilian pop act Jota Quest, Helsinki’s Lost Soul Division, Poland’s Ptaky, Asian artist Alan Kuo and Aussie band Killing Heidi. In addition, Sony domestic acts Switchfoot and Ana Johnson will be included as extra tracks, with videos targeted for Europe, in an attempt to launch those two new artists in the international market.
“We had a unique opportunity because of the universal love and appeal of Spider-Man,” says Brunman. “Tracks came in from all over the world for the album, but the selection process was extremely organic.”
Dashboard Confessional will perform “Vindicated” on the episode of Pepsi Smash scheduledd to air July 1, while Train is slated for appearances on Good Morning America (7/9) and CBS Early Show (taped July 9 for airing at a later date) to sing “Ordinary.”
Vollack agrees that the alternative rock soundtrack is an important element in marketing the film worldwide. “It’s a way to reach people. Music touches you in a slightly different way than just a TV spot does. Placing local artists on the album in each territory is a way to stress its global reach and at the same time, have it work on a territory-by-territory basis.”
The original Spider-Man set records with a $114.8 million three-day opening in May 2002, along with marks for the biggest weekend, biggest single day and biggest opening day. The real question is, can Spidey 2 top it?
