I saw the movie Clueless when it came out in 1995. It was a dark theater. I was 18 years old. I only saw it cause one of my friends worked at the theater and we could walk in anytime for a free movie. Not sure why this one was picked, but I was in and out of sleep the entire time.

In between naps, I did manage to hear a song by a band I knew little about, Radiohead, which turned me into a lifelong fan. As far as the rest of the soundtrack, I had no idea until I sat down with this 30th Anniversary Edition of what to expect.

The Muffs start the fun with their punked-out version of “Kids In America,” where Kim Shattuck’s (R.I.P.) melodic snarl is as great as ever. Cracker then bring some country-rock ideas to the record, and next is a live version of “The Ghost In You” by the Counting Crows, who put a folky spin on the classic.

The ’90s indie-dance rockers Luscious Jackson contribute the energetic “Here,” while World Party brings the piano-rock of “All The Young Dudes.” The acoustic version of “Fake Plastic Trees” lands close to the middle, which, as previously mentioned, turned me onto Radiohead’s greatness.

The back half of the record is full of big ’90s artists that we all know, except The Lightning Seeds, who toss in the Brit-rock of “Change.” The best tune on this side is Smoking Popes’ “Need You Around.” This is a big surprise to me, ’cause I had seen these Chicago pop-punkers play a house show in ’93 to about 30 people, and just two years later they’re the best tune among a list of household names.

Further along, the rumbling bass and rawness of Beastie Boys’ “Mullet Head” is much more punk than rap, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones deliver their signature ska-punk via “Where’d You Go?”.

The lone hip-hop selection is Coolio’s “Rollin’ With The Homies,” and Supergrass’ version of English alt-rock makes “Alright” another excellent addition. Velocity Girl arrive late in the track list with the fuzzed out indie-rock of “My Forgotten Favorite,” and the pioneer folk-pop artist Jill Sobule (R.I.P.) exits with the scrappy and empowering “Supermodel.”

I may have mostly slept through a really great movie. Lots of people say it is. But I’ve listened to the soundtrack three times with plenty of wide-eyed enthusiasm over some really great songs.

Rating: A-

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