The soundtrack to Milos Forman’s ode to Andy Kaufman, “Man on the Moon,” has been in stores for about a month now. There were a few of us out there who were terribly excited to see the film when it opened last month, and probably a similarly select few who felt the need to buy the album. Clearly I don’t need to pitch the soundtrack to this group.

Then there are those who don’t like Andy Kaufman’s work--a large number of people out there. I wouldn’t recommend either the film or the soundtrack for this bunch. I think you people are jerks, but that’s just a commentary on how little I think of you--so please don’t take it personally.

OK, so now what we have left is Jim Carrey fans and R.E.M. fans--neither of whom really should be even reading this review, because they should know that this soundtrack isn’t a collection of Carrey’s “madcap antics” or another “Automatic For the People.” Plus, everybody knows that Jim Carrey fans can’t read, and R.E.M. fans are too old to understand the Internet, so I’m not sure why I would even address them.

What all this boils down to is my little glowing plug for the “Man on the Moon” soundtrack to all of you who enjoyed the film, and want a fun album to remember it by. And this album is indeed fun.

The first track is the “Mighty Mouse Theme,” performed by The Sandpipers. Feel free to do your own Kaufman impression along with this song, and impress friends. Lip-syncing “Here I come to save the day,” may be tricky at first, but you’ll get the hang of it.

Next up is “The Great Beyond,” the new original song from R.E.M., which I think is a terrific, obnoxiously poppy song. It’s pretty much a sequel to their ’92 hit “Man on the Moon,” which ironically is also on this soundtrack. Anyway, it’s catchy and Andy Kaufman-y (whatever that means), and if you don’t like it, you’re definitely a Mr./Ms. Sourpuss who doesn’t even deserve to own a CD player.

Then we’ve got “Kiss You All Over,” and the theme from “Taxi” (Angela’s Theme). If you’ve seen “Man on the Moon,” which we’ve already determined you have, both of these songs will remind you of specific parts of the movie (Andy visits the whorehouse, and the brilliant “Taxi” montage)--something really great soundtracks can do. Again, if you want to impress friends (or probably irritate them), you can mention that the “Taxi” song is called Angela’s theme because of the episode early in the sitcom’s run when Alex (Judd Hirsch) befriended an overweight woman named Angela who had no self-esteem. Of course, Judd Hirsch fans will clearly already know this bit of trivia, so don’t ever befriend any of them.

I lied before when I said this album wasn’t for R.E.M. fans. In the spirit of Kaufman, however, I feel a little deceit is alright. Stipe, Mills, and Buck have composed a number of haunting instrumental works for the soundtrack, which include “Tony Thrown Out,” “Miracle,” “Lynne & Andy,” “Andy Gets Fired,” “Milk & Cookies,” and “Man on the Moon (Orchestral).” I’m not much for instrumental ditties--not a whole lot to sing along with--but these are all great works. And “Miracle” is one of the saddest, most chilling tunes I’ve ever heard.

Now here’s my favorite part of the whole album. “This Friendly World,” which is performed by R.E.M., Andy & Tony (Clifton)--so it’s Michael Stipe and Jim Carrey, basically. It’s such a stupid, fun little song. Stipe and Carrey have some really good harmony going, as well as a lot of silliness about alternately singing every second word, and Clifton joining in for a verse. I don’t know. I’m an idiot, I guess, but it just makes me smile to hear this track over and over.

Also on the album is “Rose-Marie,” and “One More Song For You,” both performed by Andy Kaufman, and “I Will Survive,” obnoxiously sung by Tony Clifton. It’s a credit to Jim Carrey’s dead-on performance, as well as an indication of my ignorance, that I’m not 100% sure about who’s singing these first two numbers--Carrey or the real Kaufman. The liner notes say Kaufman, but I (clever as always) know that’s part of the hoax. Anyway, who gives a shit? Hey, I just read the notes a little closer and found out that “Rose-Marie” is indeed Kaufman, from a 1982 Letterman appearance. Hmm. Live and learn.

So that’s the album. If you liked the movie, buy the album, and you won’t be disappointed. I guess I should have just said that a long time ago, and saved you from all of those other pitiful paragraphs, but we had fun along the way, didn’t we? We didn’t? Well, rot in hell.

Is that me talking, or is it Tony Clifton? Only I can be sure.