The soundtrack to the Coen brothers’ 1998 ode-to-slackerdom The Big Lebowski is as endearing and absurd as the film that shares its title. There’s an eclectic mix of genres here – rock n’ roll, folk, jazz, blues and opera – but don’t be alarmed by the disparity of these genres if you haven’t seen the film. The Coens have curated a mixtape that, whilst broad in spectrum, is strung together by the same thread of good-natured malaise that runs through the film. Highlights include the Gypsy Kings’ spicy cover of the Eagles’ Hotel California and a rare Kenny Rogers’ expedition into psychedelia on Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In). What are you waiting for? Throw this bad boy on your turntable and mix up a couple of White Russians! The dude abides.
Pete Whelan 