Rugrats is one of the hippest kids' shows around. With music by former Devo leader Mark Mothersbaugh, psychedelic Klasky-Csupo animation and episodes like "Tricycle Thief" and "The Baby Vanishes", how could it be otherwise? And these tunes (mainly by Mothersbaugh) bridge demographics as nimbly as the show itself does. Rugrats fans of all ages will love Elvis Costello's "Throw My Toys Around" (performed by No Doubt), Angelica's screechy rendition of Blondie's "One Way or Another", Devo's goofy take on the Chipmunks' "Witch Doctor", the Subgenius-inspired "A Baby Is a Gift of Bob", the we-are-the-alternaworld star power of "This World Is Something New to Me" and kid-friendly raps from Rakim and Busta Rhymes. This "enhanced" CD also contains commercials for the movie and video game. --Richard Gehr

an avg soundtrack, 05 Oct 2000
For those of you that don't know The Rugrats is in fact a children's television programme and is in fact one of the coolest cartoons around (ask any kid). Well just as Beavis and Butthead and South Park have done, this is just another cartoon that has made its way onto the big screen and some of the biggest pop stars in the world help out with the soundtrack. The soundtrack includes all sorts of different genres such as the r and b of "Take Me There" by Blackstreet (featuring Mya And Mase), the rock of "I Throw My Toys Around" by No Doubt and Elvis Costello, the hip hop of "Take The Train" by Rakim and Danny Saber as well as the folk rock of "All Day" by Lisa Loeb. Other artists on this great and diverse soundtrack include Busta Rhymes, Beck, Iggy Pop, B52's and Patti Smith. Overall it's a great album, but beware it's not necessarily an album for children as the TV programme is.

This collection has a split personality. On one side, there's the youth Moment, led by 12-year-old Aaron Carter, the younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick, No Authority and Jessica Simpson. On the other side, there are the established artists, who are true surprises. Sinead O'Connor? Cyndi Lauper? Isaac Hayes? So, it's a battle between bouncy pop with its hyperextended beats and clear skin and the ragged tone of world-worn former heroes. Things begin with a surprisingly mellow track from TLC's Tionne T-Boz Watkins (perhaps she can't figure which side of the fence to choose here). From there, the beats step up, and Aaron Carter, Baha Men and Jessica Simpson all deliver the kinds of catchy tunes you expect. Sinead O'Connor hasn't abandoned her sententious beginnings; even with the addition of hip-hop beats and a few random electronic noises, she still sounds as solemn as ever, whispering and singing softly. Former Spice Girl Gerri Halliwell updates Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots" without adding or subtracting much. A better novelty is Cyndi Lauper performing "I Want a Mom That Will Last Forever", a sentimental tune perfectly suited for her emotive reach. --Rob O'Connor