Holes

1	Dig It / D-Tent Boys 3:47
2	Keep'n It Real / Shaggy 3:58
3	Mighty Fine Blues / Eels 3:25
4	Honey / Moby 3:30
5	I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday / Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps 3:07
6	Just Like You / Keb' Mo' 3:27
7	Everybody Pass Me By / Pepe Deluxe 4:00
8	I Will Survive / Stephanie Bentley 3:57
9	Shake 'Em on Down / North Mississippi Allstars 4:09
10	Don't Give Up / Eagle-Eye Cherry 4:20
11	Happy Dayz / Devin Thompson 4:46
12	Let's Make a Better World / Dr. John 2:52
13	If Only / Fiction Plane 3:53
14	Eyes Down / Eels 3:31
15	Down to the Valley / Little Axe 5:32

Barnes & Noble

With the film Holes, Disney brings Louis Sachar's award-winning book to the big screen -- with a rock- and dance-infused soundtrack. Thanks to his pig-stealing great-great-grandfather, Stanley Yelnats's family is cursed, so it's no surprise that young Stanley is erroneously accused of theft and sent to a detention center, where he is forced to dig holes -- and lots of 'em. Good thing he has some energetic music to keep up his momentum! The soundtrack boasts some big-name players, including the techno sounds of Moby's "Honey" and Shaggy's reggae-infused dance beats in "Keep'n It Real." The standout "Dig It" -- which features lines from the movie and a pumping chorus -- comes from the lesser-known D-tent Boys. The North Mississippi All-Stars blend bluegrass, rock, and funk on the foot-stomping "Shake 'em on Down." The film's themes of courage and perseverance surface on Eagle Eye Cherry's slow-boiling rocker "Don't Give Up" and Stephanie Bentley's twang of "I Will Survive": "As long as my dream's alive / I will survive," she sings, as if trying to lift Stanley's spirits. This eclectic disc mirrors the story's adventurous spirit and uplifting message. Amy Barkat

All Music Guide

Not surprisingly, perhaps, for a kids' movie based on an award-winning book, the soundtrack to Holes features a smart and eclectic mix of pop, hip-hop, blues, electronica, and rock, including Shaggy's "Keep'n It Real," Moby's "Honey," Keb' Mo''s "Just Like You," and not one but two songs by the Eels, "Mighty Fine Blues" and "Eyes Down." The collection keeps a strong emphasis on blues-inspired songs like Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps' "I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday," Pepe Deluxe's version of "Everybody Pass Me By," and North Mississippi Allstars' "Shake 'Em on Down," reflecting the gritty, rough-around-the-edges feel of the movie. Other highlights include Eagle-Eye Cherry's "Don't Give Up," Fiction Plane's "If Only," and Dr. John's "Let's Make a Better World" (the soundtrack gets points just for bothering to put someone like Dr. John on an album largely intended for children). As hip as it is fun and listenable, Holes works equally well as a soundtrack and a nicely crafted collection of music, and is just as enjoyable to listen to for kids and parents alike. Heather Phares