Various Artists – Boys Soundtrack
This original soundtrack album has one of the stranger lineups you’ll find for a Gen X movie: It’s almost all UK Britpop (Paul Weller, Supergrass, Stone Roses), but thrown in for good measure is one new Kelly Willis track. “Fading Fast” is from a session Willis did with Son Volt. Farrar and company give Willis the kind of ballast her other work has needed, and she uses the solid backing to soar as a vocalist. She’s has long been underrated as a singer, partially because previous records haven’t lived up to her live show. “Fading Fast” is the best omen yet, and a good sign that Willis’ next full-length album — due in early 1997 on A&M — could push her into a different league.
It’s worth noting that A&M also recently sent out a promo-only EP that includes “Fading Fast” and three other recent Willis recordings. “He Don’t Care About Me” is more Willis and Son Volt; “What World Are You Living In?” features Willis, Son Volt and Jayhawk-in-transition Gary Louris; and “Aren’t I True” puts 16 Horsepower behind Willis. Though it’s only four tracks, this may be the best thing in the Kelly Willis catalog — which suggests that A&M should consider making it available to the general public.