**1/2 THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY

(Capitol)

The Brothers Farrelly may be the Dumb and Dumber guys, but they're savvy about their soundtracks. This one actually features songs used in the movie, a rarity nowadays. The Providence-based filmmakers have called on a lot of New England talent, including the Lemonheads ("If I Could Talk I'd Tell You"), the Push Stars ("Everything Shines"), and, most notably, Jonathan Richman, who serves as the troubadour narrator in the film and has three songs here in his trademark wistful, whimsical-but-heartfelt mode. Two are new -- the title track and "True Love Is Not Nice"; the other is a stinging little update of his "Let Her Go into the Darkness."

The rest of the album maintains the film's air of bright, cheery romantic frustration, but except for the Dandy Warhols' "Every Day Should Be a Holiday," there are few standouts among the new and newish songs (by the likes of Ben Lee, Ivy, Propellerheads, Lloyd Cole, and Zuba). The obligatory oldies, however are well chosen, offering cheery romantic frustration from 10, 20, and 30 years ago: Danny Wilson's "Mary's Prayer," Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out with Him," and the Foundations' "Build Me Up Buttercup." Just fine for listening while you're, uh, working up a lather of hair gel.

-- Gary Susman