The Powerpuff Girls: Heroes and Villains

The Powerpuff Girls: Heroes and Villains Review

Bubbles, Blossom, and Buttercup sure know how to pick 'em. Their Heroes & Villains might be the coolest soundtrack of the summer of 2000, as well as the best repellant for Townsville's evil monkey, Mojo Jojo. Inspired by the Cartoon Network's The Powerpuff Girls series, this delicious disc delivers a handful of exceptional contemporary pop-rock tunes customized especially for the occasion. And the music's so good that it may supersede the cartoon itself. Produced by Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh and Bob Casale, with fave groups picked by Powerpuff Girls creator Craig McCracken, Heroes & Villains has nary a clunker in its bunch. Disc highlights include the Beatles-like "Walk and Chew Gum" (Optiganally Yours), Komeda's killer "B.L.O.S.S.O.M.," Apples in Stereo's hook-infested "Signal in the Sky (Let's Go," Shonen Knife's hard-edged "Buttercup (I'm A Super Girl)," and a fun story thread that runs between songs. Of course there's Devo's own simian cheer lead, "Go Monkey Go," clearly another de-evolutionary breakdown at the hands of the mindless monkey Mojo. Play it again and again at maximum power. --Martin Keller