Rating: 3/5

I personally do not have the stomach for all that is JACKASS. Especially when it is in 3D and literally flying at you from all angles. That being said, I would tune in for JACKASS’ tamer (less gross humor, about the same amount of physical harm humor) little brother spin-off, Viva La Bam, and actually tried to re-create one of the group’s infamous scavenger hunts (a much tamer version, of course), so I do get the appeal. And even though I could not bring myself to see the film, I was already laughing just reading the song titles (“If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough," “You Can’t Roller Skate In a Buffalo Herd”) and artist names (Smut Peddlers, Gang Green) on the soundtrack lineup.

Despite the silly and gross nature of the franchise, the soundtrack is actually full of genuine songs, not just extended fart jokes and upchuck sounds. JACKASS 3D gives us a full spectrum of styles from folk to rockabilly to punk to rock. Yeah – I said rockabilly and JACKASS in the same sentence. Intrigued yet?

Opening in grand fashion, Squeak E. Clean gives us “Corona (Jackass Opera Mix)” whose title alone is an oxymoron. Corona, Jackass, Opera? One of these is not like the others. I suppose if you are going to go out, you might as well go out in style. But before we all grab our opera glasses, Twisted Sister reminds us to swap those glasses for 3D ones and remember “The Kids Are Back (LP Version)” with their rock anthem. This is JACKASS, after all.

Beyond the track’s tongue-in-cheek title, Karen O’s “If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough” is a melodic folk song with lyrics that are not just funny, but also catchy. We all have dumb moments and this track reminds us that even those of us who do not ask our friends to punch us in the face can just as easily trip over our own two feet to fall to the ground. Following along the same lines, Roger Alan Wade’s “Party In My Pants” sounds like another standard issue folk song, until you start listening to the chorus.

Weezer’s “Memories” gets the JACKASS treatment with the cast singing along throughout the chorus to give the song an even more full-bodied impact. And in true JACKASS style, you can hear the boys giving each other shit as the track comes to an end. Rock fans will not be disappointed with tracks from Sassafras (“Been Blown to Shreds”), Smut Peddlers (“Invisible Man”), and CKY (“Afterworld”).

And I’m pretty sure Roger Miller is just dispensing good life advice with “You Can’t Roller Skate In a Buffalo Herd.” This track reminded me of the story telling minstrel full of wise advice at the beginning of Disney’s ROBIN HOOD. Preach on, minstrel Miller. I will not going fishing in a watermelon patch!

I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed this soundtrack. It was a good mix of real songs, goofy songs, and all out rock. I think fans of JACKASS will enjoy this as much as those who are not fans of the boys' antics. Of course there are still ridiculous moments (again, refer to the song titles), but this is not just a throwaway album. It’s full of rock and roll, laughs, and is just plain fun. Which, even though they seem to find it in causing physical harm to each other, fun seems to be what these Jackasses are all about.

This soundtrack is available through Epitaph.

1. “Corona (Jackass Opera Mix)” – Squeak E. Clean
2. “The Kids Are Back (LP Version)” – Twisted Sister
3. “If You’re Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough” – Karen O
4. “Memories (feat. The Cast of Jackass 3D)” – Weezer
5. “Party in My Pants” – Roger Alan Wade
6. “Invisible Man” – Smut Peddlers
7. “I’m Shakin’ (LP Version)” – The Blasters
8. “I Got Your Number” – Cock Sparrer
9. “You Can’t Roller Skate In a Buffalo Herd” – Roger Miller
10. “Been Blown to Shreds” – Sassafras
11. “Brand New Key” – Melanie
12. “Alcohol” – Gang Green
13. “Afterworld” - CKY