Utilizing the recent Rankography's Best Movie Soundtracks Composite Ranking list as inspiration, I felt compelled to highlight my top modern (post 1990s) soundtracks. For me, the best soundtracks manage to play like a favorite mixtape: While each song should contribute to the picture as viewed, the album should also stand alone as an exciting auditory experience.
Three contemporary directors stand-out as having keen taste in music: Wes Anderson, Sofia Coppola and Quentin Tarantio. While many directors may not be involved with the soundtrack process (typically giving music directors 'free rein' to produce), it is clear that Anderson, Coppola and Tarantino have had strong direct and/or indirect influence at crafting their movie's musical experience. (And, why not given the strong (emotional, intellectual) impact music can have on the story?) Therefore, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite soundtracks from each of these auteurs.
Wes Anderson/Rushmore (1999): Rushmore is my favorite soundtrack of all time; great for almost any occasion, though highly recommended for road tripping cross country. While the original Rushmore soundtrack concept = 100% The Kinks, the final version included one Kinks track with a number of fantastic 1960's and 1970's songs. Most of the songs are by well-known bands - Faces, Chad & Jeremy, John Lennon, Cat Stevens, The Who - with some lesser-known artists - Unit 4 + 2, The Creation and Zoot Sims. Moreover, Mark Mothersbraugh's score elements are effortlessly woven within the 60's/70's pop music.
Other great Wes Anderson Soundtracks: The Royal Tenenbaums, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Sofia Coppola/Marie Antoinette (2006): Marie Antoinette is a double-disc with amazing musical range: rock and electronic atmospheric music, 1980s new wave and post punk rock/pop, with a dash of period baroque pieces. The music - specifically the 1980s stuff - juxtaposed with the film elements (18th century France) is aesthetically brilliant. The Maria Antoinette film teaser-trailer (Age of Consent, New Order) is my vote for the most innovative and interesting use of music in a recent trailer.
Other great Sofia Coppola Soundtracks: Lost in Translation, The Virgin Suicides
Quentin Tarantino/Grind House, Deathproof (2007): A while ago I caught the Sundance Channel's ICONOCLASTS with Tarantino and Fiona Apple. Given Apple's musical background, lots of the conversation revolved around Tarantino's extreme passion for music (and extensive vinyl collection). This is not surprising; the Pulp Fiction soundtrack seemed to revitalize the soundtrack genre in the mid 90s. The Deathproof soundtrack may be lesser know but is just as genius. Tarantino continues his trend of including audio clips from the film and focusing on just plain cool rock songs (mainly 60's and 70's). Some high points include: Jeepster (British Glam Rock Band T-Rex), Down in Mexico (The Coasters), Baby it's You (Smith (not The Smiths)) and Staggolee (Pacific Gas & Electric).
Other great Quentin Tarantino Soundtracks: Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Inglourious Basterds, Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Kill Bill Vol. 2
You can check-out Rankography for a full composite list of Movie Soundtracks and more...
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I never really gave much thought to the Movie Soundtracks that I used to listen to. I have never listened to the Rushmore soundtrack, but anything that contains both John Lennon and The Who on it must be classic. I still remember the constant listens that I used to give to the Dazed And Confused Soundtrack as well, just a great collection of classic 70's tunes that I truly can never get tired of listening to.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dazed and Confused is great - if you like that, check-out Deathproof - same 'feel' but a bit more obscure.
ReplyDeleteOne of my two favorite soundtracks of all-time are kids movies.
ReplyDeleteSky High -- Bad movie but Great soundtrack. All great 80s tunes like I'll Melt with You remade by current up-and-coming bands.
And Surf's Up -- Good movie but Great Soundtrack. This is where I first discovered one of my favorite bands, The Dirtyheads, which are a great fusion of Reggae, Rap and Rock. You also get some Lauryn Hill, 311, Pearl Jam and Sugar Ray.
If you like Sky High + Surf's Up, you may like the 50 First Dates soundtrack. Merging of both concepts - 80s music all done in a reggae/ska style.
ReplyDeleteWiki says: The soundtrack contains cover versions of songs that were originally recorded in the 1980s. This includes mostly reggae or ska covers, due to their emphasized upbeat that gives a tropical or Hawaiian feel. It was a moderate commercial hit, reaching 30th on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top Soundtracks and Top Reggae Albums in the United States.