We critical types aren't supposed to say this, but, er. . . America doesn't always have the best taste. The movies, records and books that top the charts are very infrequently the best available. That's not to say that the public doesn't occasionally make the right call, though, and the soundtrack to the Coen Brothers' period comedy O Brother Where Art Thou? is one of the most glorious instances of the country taking something quirky and wonderful to its heart. In fact, the album was much more successful than the movie; the film was a minor indie success, but the soundtrack topped the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart for several weeks, produced a well-received country single, and won four Grammy awards, including Album of the Year.
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