Our Top Ten Movie Soundtracks
Karin and I were watching Pump Up The Volume on DVD last night when we began to discuss which movie soundtracks rocked our world. We attempted to come up with a list of soundtracks that we considered essential for any self-respecting music aficionado to own. The one rule we agreed upon that disqualified a soundtrack candidate from our list was that the movie could not have been directed by Quentin Tarantino or John Hughes.
After a lengthy debate and much soul-searching we eventually decided on a short list of ten movie soundtracks that any decent record collection should include. Here they are, in no particular order:
We’ll first get the obvious choice out of the way. The soundtrack to Pump Up The Volume stands in the rarified class of essential recordings for any fan of music, with contributing artists reading like a list of “who’s who” of music: Cowboy Junkies, Soundgarden, The Pixies, Concrete Blonde, Peter Murphy, Sonic Youth. There’s simply not one bad track on this album.
I’ve heard The Crow being described as being a “flawed masterpiece”, and I think this sums up why this movie means so much to so many people. For me, any movie that captures My Life For The Thrill Kill Kult on celluloid is aces in my book. Included in this soundtrack are the Violent Femmes with one of their amazing somber tunes, Rage Against The Machine, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Panerta, and Nine Inch Nails. This strong, heavy lineup perfectly echos the tone of this movie and underscores the unfortunate fate of Brandon Lee.
I’ve written about Quadrophenia in a past post, but I failed to mention the powerful soundtrack that The Who composed for this film. This double-disc recording deserves to be listened to from beginning to end with earphones on and the volume cranked up to 10. With songs such as Doctor Jimmy, I Am The Sea, Love Reign O’er Me, and The Real Me….the focus and power of this recording needs to be heard to be believed.
Wes Anderson’s greatest achievement is backed up with an equally stunning score, firmly anchored by a one Mr. Seu Jorge, whose Portuguese renditions of David Bowie songs are stunning in their simplicity. If you have the slightest bit of humanity within you, you’ll immediately stop reading my worthless blog, log into Amazon, and purchase his album. Go on…I’ll wait for you while you do this.
You done? Great…then lets continue…
In a perfect world I’d simply just have to show you this album cover and everyone would nod their heads in unison in agreement with the understanding that this is one of the universe’s perfect soundtrack albums. Capturing the post-punk era of the 80′s, the soundtrack to Repo Man is one of those recordings that can easily change your life. Coup D’Etat!
Before Sean Penn turned into such a polarizing figure, he co-starred with Robert Duvall in what, at the time, was a very controversial film. The Colors soundtrack captures some of the greatest old school powerhouses ever pressed on to wax. Contained within are recordings by Rick James, Kool G. Rap, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and Ice-T. Colors is one of those soundtracks I’ve followed and purchased throughout its LP, cassette tape, and CD life cycle. If you don’t own this album for at least the song “Six Gun”, then turn in your breathing privileges at the door as you leave with your head hung low in shame…
The Dust Brothers put together a modern masterpiece when they composed the soundtrack to Fight Club. This is the lone entry in this list that, by and large, is vox free, save for the the hidden track #16 in which Brad Pitt reprises his role of Tyler Durden, reciting key lines from the film. You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake…
I never thought I’d be actively campaigning for an album that contains songs from Huey Lewis & The News, but American Psycho so ingrained the Huey Lewis mystique into the psyche of Patrick Bateman that it transformed Huey Lewis & The News from a bar band that got lucky into a depressing messenger of doom. Containing a collection of 80′s music one wouldn’t normally group together, this soundtrack eerily mirrors Patrick’s chaotic world of “murders and executions”.
The final two albums on our list are the prides of this collection. The Big Lebowski is not only an amazing movie, but the vibe that the soundtrack provides amplifies the confusion of the movie’s setting, and solidifies The Dude’s uniquely skewed understanding of the world that exists around him. All songs on this soundtrack have a familiar, haunting vibe to them that requires multiple listenings to fully absorb. Heck, any album that has a kickin’ Kenny Rogers song on it has to be doing something right. Other notables on this soundtrack are submissions by Elvis Costello, The Gipsy Kings, Bob Dylan, and Townes Van Zandt.
The soundtrack to Until The End Of The World is simply amazing. This film hasn’t widely been seen simply because, for whatever reason, it’s never been release on DVD in the US. If I try to describe this album I’ll just be doing such a fine collection of music a severe disservice. If you happen upon this recording in any form, grab it. Don’t think, just buy it, borrow it, or steal it. I don’t care. It’s a moral imperative that you own this soundtrack.
I would have to put Trainspotting in the mix as one of my favorite movies and a great sound track.
Excellent suggestion! Trainspotting had a very solid soundtrack.