So I've had this post sitting as an unfinished draft for months now. I keep staring at it, waiting for some brilliant spin to come to me that never seems to happen. I guess you're stuck with a brilliantly unoriginal post about some of my favorite soundtracks. Not coincidentally, most of the movies listed below could also be found on a personal top 100 list, if I were ever to make one. I'm breaking out the list into a few categories (two posts): this one will focus on single-based soundtracks, with another later in the week about scores and just some favorite singles. Both posts are dedicated to the man with the musical mind (and blog), Soundtrack Geek.
Favorite singles-based soundtracks
Though credit should probably go to the artists, there's definitely a talent in putting together a grouping of either seemingly or totally unconnected songs into a cohesive album that warrants multiple entire-length listenings. Most of the soundtracks listed, in either this category or the next, are also wise enough to include dialogue snippets that enhance the listening experience. The first album mentioned is probably the best at that, and plays out (as soundtracks should) in order of their appearance in the film.
Pulp Fiction - People give a ton of credit to Quentin Tarantino for kick-starting or re-starting careers, but they're usually talking about actors. However, the man has probably been a bigger force (dollar-wise) when it comes to rejuvenating the careers of soul, R & B, pop and surf musicians from the 60s and 70s. His breakout film featured songs from artists as diverse as Dick Dale, Al Green and Urge Overkill, no doubt selling millions of albums for them in addition to the sales of this film's soundtrack.
Favorite Track: "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon," by Urge Overkill
Rushmore - If any director has rivaled Tarantino in terms of quality and diverseness when it comes to his films' soundtracks, it's Wes Anderson. This one is all over the place, with great tracks from classic rock starts like John Lennon and The Who to folk star Cat Stevens to jazz to Mark Mothersbaugh's brilliant scored tracks (which really could qualify this album for inclusion in the next category). Brilliant all around.
Favorite Track: "A Quick One While He's Away," by The Who
The Royal Tenenbaums - one might argue that this one is too similar to Rushmore's, what with another great score by Mothersbaugh, and more punk/rock tracks mined from decades past, but then one would be wrong. Outside of great Clash and Ramones songs, Tenanbaums mostly shows a more somber side, including two Nico songs, some Elliot Smith, and a tremendous hidden gem from Bob Dylan ("Wigwam").
Favorite Track: "Christmas Time is Here," by the Vince Guaraldi Trio (aka the Peanuts' Christmas song)
Trainspotting - much like the 70s themed Dazed and Confused sountrack that spawned a sequel of its own (and barely missed this list), Trainspotting also produced a second album, and though it's good, it pales to the first, a stellar collection of Britpop and early electronica, spanning from Brian Eno to Pulp to Blur to Bowie and Iggy. Only one bad song to be found (New Order's "Tempation").
Favorite Track: the now overused "Lust for Life," by Iggy Pop
Snatch - It's a bit spottier overall than the previous soundtracks mentioned, but Guy Ritchie's biggest hit had three outstanding songs that I will have a hard time picking a favorite from. Let's just say that the runners up are Massive Attack's "Angel" and Oasis' "F**kin' in the Bushes," and I could listen to either one of those all day. Other standouts include the trippy "Sensual Woman" by Herbaliser and some old school funk by Bobby Byrd ("Hot Pants").
Favorite Track: "Golden Brown," by The Stranglers
Honorable Mentions: Dazed and Confused, Singles, Reservoir Dogs.
And then...
Favorite singles-based soundtracks
Though credit should probably go to the artists, there's definitely a talent in putting together a grouping of either seemingly or totally unconnected songs into a cohesive album that warrants multiple entire-length listenings. Most of the soundtracks listed, in either this category or the next, are also wise enough to include dialogue snippets that enhance the listening experience. The first album mentioned is probably the best at that, and plays out (as soundtracks should) in order of their appearance in the film.
Pulp Fiction - People give a ton of credit to Quentin Tarantino for kick-starting or re-starting careers, but they're usually talking about actors. However, the man has probably been a bigger force (dollar-wise) when it comes to rejuvenating the careers of soul, R & B, pop and surf musicians from the 60s and 70s. His breakout film featured songs from artists as diverse as Dick Dale, Al Green and Urge Overkill, no doubt selling millions of albums for them in addition to the sales of this film's soundtrack.Favorite Track: "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon," by Urge Overkill
Rushmore - If any director has rivaled Tarantino in terms of quality and diverseness when it comes to his films' soundtracks, it's Wes Anderson. This one is all over the place, with great tracks from classic rock starts like John Lennon and The Who to folk star Cat Stevens to jazz to Mark Mothersbaugh's brilliant scored tracks (which really could qualify this album for inclusion in the next category). Brilliant all around.Favorite Track: "A Quick One While He's Away," by The Who
The Royal Tenenbaums - one might argue that this one is too similar to Rushmore's, what with another great score by Mothersbaugh, and more punk/rock tracks mined from decades past, but then one would be wrong. Outside of great Clash and Ramones songs, Tenanbaums mostly shows a more somber side, including two Nico songs, some Elliot Smith, and a tremendous hidden gem from Bob Dylan ("Wigwam").Favorite Track: "Christmas Time is Here," by the Vince Guaraldi Trio (aka the Peanuts' Christmas song)
Trainspotting - much like the 70s themed Dazed and Confused sountrack that spawned a sequel of its own (and barely missed this list), Trainspotting also produced a second album, and though it's good, it pales to the first, a stellar collection of Britpop and early electronica, spanning from Brian Eno to Pulp to Blur to Bowie and Iggy. Only one bad song to be found (New Order's "Tempation").Favorite Track: the now overused "Lust for Life," by Iggy Pop
Snatch - It's a bit spottier overall than the previous soundtracks mentioned, but Guy Ritchie's biggest hit had three outstanding songs that I will have a hard time picking a favorite from. Let's just say that the runners up are Massive Attack's "Angel" and Oasis' "F**kin' in the Bushes," and I could listen to either one of those all day. Other standouts include the trippy "Sensual Woman" by Herbaliser and some old school funk by Bobby Byrd ("Hot Pants").Favorite Track: "Golden Brown," by The Stranglers
Honorable Mentions: Dazed and Confused, Singles, Reservoir Dogs.
