Movie soundtrack CDs have a problem. The movie has got to be popular enough that people go out and hunt up the soundtrack to hear some of the songs again and again and again. On the other hand, the songs have got to be good enough that people will go out and buy the CD even if they didn't like the movie. There is also the occasional problem with cohesiveness. "Saturday Night Fever" was easy. It was about dancing, so throw a lot of original dance tracks into the mix and you're all set. It's rarely that easy, however.

There is a bit of cohesiveness on the "Gunshy" CD soundtrack, and that helps the listener sit back and focus on the music. And the music is, well, it's actually quite good, for the most part. The album starts with four tracks that are somewhere between alternative rock and alt/country, a couple by Bob Schneider, one by Big Kenny, and one by Push Stars. Bob Schneider shows some variation and a knack for a turn of phrase. He is not a household name yet, but that may change. Similarly, Big Kenny's tune, "Under the Sun," certainly one of the best songs on the CD, shows promise of bigger and better things.

"This Time," by Los Lobos, provides the transition point for segueing into soul and hip-hop on the CD. Los Lobos, in a perfect world, would be a jillion times more popular than they are. Name one other band that can play so many different genres of music - latino, roots, country, soul - so well, and make it look easy. Go ahead. I'm still waiting. "This Time" shows off the band's soulful side and is undisputedly the high point on the album. From there we go to a Tom Waits' curio "More Than Rain," James Brown's gem "It's A Man's, Man's Man's World," and a couple of throwaway hip-hop tunes by The Scabs and The Wiseguys.

In between all of this is "I'm You're Boogie Man" by KC and the Sunshine Band. And it works. When this was on the radio every 10 minutes I couldn't change the station fast enough. Now, it doesn't sound too bad. KC has had his apologists over the years and they just might be right. Maybe this band should have gotten more respect.

The soundtrack closes with...opera. I am that genetic anomaly, an Italian who cannot stand opera. I don't know how "Caro Mio Ben" fits into "Gunshy" the movie. It's certainly an odd choice for inclusion on this soundtrack, however. Let us all kneel and give a prayer of thanks that only one whacky little opera number was included to mar an otherwise fine, occasionally wonderful, soundtrack.