Garden State

Label: Epic
Barcode: 5099751873327
Release Year: 2004
Country: Europe
Product Type: CD (Used)
Score or Soundtrack: Soundtrack

The Garden State film soundtrack, curated by writer-director Zach Braff for his 2004 indie drama starring Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, and himself, became a cultural touchstone for early-2000s alternative music. Featuring The Shins with tracks like “New Slang” and “Caring Is Creepy,” which Natalie Portman’s character famously calls “life-changing,” the album also includes contributions from Iron & Wine covering The Postal Service’s “Such Great Heights,” as well as songs by Coldplay, Cary Brothers, and Frou Frou.

Artists like Nick Drake, Zero 7, Simon & Garfunkel, and Thievery Corporation round out the eclectic mix, giving the soundtrack a dreamy, melancholic tone that matched the film’s New Jersey setting. Released by Epic Records, the compilation won a Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album and has often been compared to era-defining collections like the Juno soundtrack and Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous playlist, cementing Braff’s Garden State as both a cinematic and musical milestone.

Track Listing

Don't Panic
Coldplay

Caring Is Creepy
The Shins

In The Waiting Line
Zero 7

New Slang
The Shins

I Just Don't Think I'll Get Over You
Colin Hay

Blue Eyes
Cary Brothers

Fair
Remy Zero

One Of These Things First
Nick Drake

Lebanese Blonde
Thievery Corporation

The Only Living Boy In New York
Simon & Garfunkel

Such Great Heights
Iron And Wine

Let Go
Frou Frou

Winding Road
Bonnie Somerville

Where to watch

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