February 18, 2006

Top 15 Soundtracks of Our Generation: 2-5

2) High Fidelity
Is it possible for a movie about a record store owner to not have a killer soundtrack? I’m not sure, but I do know High Fidelity scores big with its assortment of different singers and styles from all over the board. From Bob Dylan to The Beta Band, John Cusak and the rest of the album producers found just the right songs to put in the movie. Starting both the movie and the album is The Thirteenth Floor Elevators’ “You’re Gonna Miss Me”, an unknown bitter break up song that starts the well written story of heartbreak agreeably. The Velvet Underground add 2 great tracks “Oh Sweet Nuthin” and “Who Loves the Sun”. Stereolab puts in “Lo Boob Oscillator” and even though it is in French, it has a suitable sound that works wonderfully in the movie. How can I forget the famous Beta Band scene when Rob Gordon promises to sell 5 copies of their album by playing “Dry the Rain”. For a movie that is all about music lovers, High Fidelity really has a lot to offer. This album is different from most soundtracks in the sense that every song on this album is likable. Which makes it incredible is High Fidelity branches out into so many diverse sounds, puts it all into one album, and surprising makes it all work brilliantly.



3) Fight Club
The Fight Club soundtrack consists of 2 artists, The Dust Brothers and The Pixies. The Dust Brothers make every song you hear in the film except the last song in the movie, done by the Pixies. Really stretching the mind musically, the Dust Brothers add their flavor of electronic beats, bass, turntables and synths to create an original soundtrack that etches their name into music stardom. From fast paced heart pumping songs to the slow simple beats, they add insight and thought to every song. Keeping with the overall gloomy theme Fight Club has, the Dust Brothers attempted to make something new and infatuating to give the movie a nice edge. Throw in a few horns, a couple of eerie sound effects, and the Pixies, and you’ve got one hell of a soundtrack.



4) Garden State
Zach Braff is the actor and director of the drama Garden State. Showing off his love of indie music, Braff throws plenty of indie bands into his soundtrack and puts a lot of emphasis on the music in his movie. This is shown well in a little scene where Braff is waiting in a hospital with Natalie Portman. Braff asks if he can have a listen, and Portman gives him the headphones to hear the Shins’ “New Slang”. Not particularly the perfect song for a moment, but it was a scene where the music was the absolute focus point of the film. This soundtrack was one of those albums you buy and want to get every album from the artists on it. I’ll admit it turned me on to a few bands. Iron and Wine, The Shins, Zero 7, and Frou Frou are bands I never heard of before this soundtrack that have grown on me. From starting up his motorcycle for the first time in years with The Shins “Caring is Creepy”, to dancing in front of a fireplace to Remy Zero’s “Fair”, Braff’s selection of songs goes with his characters in the movie quite well.



5) Great Expectations
You all know the story. People change their minds on a constant basis. This soundtrack changes moods repeatedly. The soundtrack excelled in changing along with the characters in the movie. Going from dismal to joyful, this album has every mood from the film, capturing the atmosphere wonderfully. When Estella takes off her clothes to let Finn draw her, the climactic “Like A Friend” (Pulp) erupts as Finn goes crazy, drawing dozens of pictures of the beautiful girl. Scott Weiland and Chris Cornell both do amazing solo songs that are probably the best songs on the album. The rest is filled with Tori Amos, The Grateful Dead, Duncan Sheik, Poe, Iggy Pop, and Reef. A great sound for a great movie.

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