Bridget Jones's Diary

Helen Fielding's popular Bridget Jones character--a hapless British single gal who spends her days obsessing over men, cigarettes, and calories--has been criticized by more than a few feminists for her Cosmo girl conformist mentality. Perhaps this thoughtful soundtrack, which launches with Grammy-winning ass-kicker Shelby Lynne's "Killin' Kind," will make up for Bridget's self-doubt. Sheryl Crow turns in her strongest single in years, the saucy "Kiss That Girl," while Chaka Khan's classic "I'm Every Woman" is enough in itself to make any single woman's Friday night complete--no date required, just a nice pair of dancing shoes. A weepy, straightforward cover of Eric Carmen's "All by Myself" by Jamie O'Neal is more hilarious than it is emotive; ditto for Robbie Williams's karaoke-style take on Frank Sinatra's "Have You Met Miss Jones?" Ignore former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell's tragic reworking of the Weather Girls' "It's Raining Men" at all costs; it's the album's regrettable one-night stand. The Beatles may have said all you need is love, but what Bridget Jones needs is a nice soundtrack to get her through a terrifying cesspool of womanizers and fruity alcoholic drinks. --Kristy Martin