THE SOUNDTRACKS OF OUR LIVES
Apr. 19th, 2008 10:24 amCross-posted from ![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thewhyfive. This week's category: Top Five Soundtracks!
For once, I ended up with a really long list that was tough to narrow down. So yr getting a rare 2-for-1 deal from me: two lists in two separate self-explanatory categories
METHODOLOGY: No TV soundtracks, Broadway musicals or cash-in bogus soundtracks with songs “from and inspired by” the film. The end.
TOP FIVE DEF SOUNDTRACKS (SONG COMPILATION)
1. Return Of The Living Dead
For introducing me to the greatness that is Roky Erickson alone, this makes the top of the list.
2. The Decline Of Western Civilization
Penelope Spheeris’ documentary of the LA hardcore punk scene, which was my entry level introduction to seminal bands like Black Flag, X, The Germs, Circle Jerks and Fear, among others. Essential listening.
3. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
It’s astounding, etc.
4. The Blues Brothers
You probably had to be there at the time to appreciate the Blues Brothers both on SNL and in the film, but c’mon, you’ve got great cameos from James Brown, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin playing with the MGs.
5. Natural Born Killers
Whatever you think of the film (I loved it, personally), the soundtrack is my idea of what soundtracks should be – a continuous mix of music and dialogue from the film blended into one long-playing listening experience. By Trent Reznor, of all people. He takes an eclectic group of songs and makes it flow. Try doing that with Leonard Cohen, Patti Smith Group and Lard on the playlist.
TOP FIVE DEF SOUNDTRACKS (ORIGINAL SCORE)
1. Star Wars
Well, obviously.
2. Passion by Peter Gabriel
The official soundtrack to Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation Of Christ, one of his most underrated films. Brilliantly mesmerizing.
3. Paris, Texas
Before he endangered national security and did Buena Vista Social Club, Ry Cooder was probably better known for doing movie soundtracks like this. His slide guitar really captures the Texas hinterlands. With added Harry Dean Stanton doing his monologue about love gone haywire. I used to play it on my radio show at one in the morning. And on Valentine’s Day. Probably fucked a lot of people up as a result.
4. Live And Let Die
There are several good Bond soundtracks to choose from, but I’m partial to this one – partly because of Wings doing the title track, but mainly because of John Barry giving the usual Bond score some soul. Hint: there is much wah-wah here.
5. M*A*S*H
As in the Altman film, not the TV show based on it. A great mix of music and dialogue from one of my favorite movies.
HONORABLE MENTION: Superfly, Shaft, Enter The Dragon, Wild At Heart, This Is Spinal Tap, Fear Of A Black Planet, From Dusk Til Dawn, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, Dr No,The Incredibles, Ocean’s 11 (the remake), Heavy Metal, Repo Man, and pretty much anything with Tarantino’s name on it.
EXTRA CREDIT: The Payback
This is a soundtrack that James Brown recorded for a blaxploitation movie called Hell Up In Harlem, but it was rejected by the director for “not being James Brown enough”. Brown released it anyway. So it might be here on a technicality, but it’s a cool record, so I’m counting it.
Planet of sound,
This is dF
thewhyfive. This week's category: Top Five Soundtracks!For once, I ended up with a really long list that was tough to narrow down. So yr getting a rare 2-for-1 deal from me: two lists in two separate self-explanatory categories
METHODOLOGY: No TV soundtracks, Broadway musicals or cash-in bogus soundtracks with songs “from and inspired by” the film. The end.
TOP FIVE DEF SOUNDTRACKS (SONG COMPILATION)
1. Return Of The Living Dead
For introducing me to the greatness that is Roky Erickson alone, this makes the top of the list.
2. The Decline Of Western Civilization
Penelope Spheeris’ documentary of the LA hardcore punk scene, which was my entry level introduction to seminal bands like Black Flag, X, The Germs, Circle Jerks and Fear, among others. Essential listening.
3. The Rocky Horror Picture Show
It’s astounding, etc.
4. The Blues Brothers
You probably had to be there at the time to appreciate the Blues Brothers both on SNL and in the film, but c’mon, you’ve got great cameos from James Brown, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin playing with the MGs.
5. Natural Born Killers
Whatever you think of the film (I loved it, personally), the soundtrack is my idea of what soundtracks should be – a continuous mix of music and dialogue from the film blended into one long-playing listening experience. By Trent Reznor, of all people. He takes an eclectic group of songs and makes it flow. Try doing that with Leonard Cohen, Patti Smith Group and Lard on the playlist.
TOP FIVE DEF SOUNDTRACKS (ORIGINAL SCORE)
1. Star Wars
Well, obviously.
2. Passion by Peter Gabriel
The official soundtrack to Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation Of Christ, one of his most underrated films. Brilliantly mesmerizing.
3. Paris, Texas
Before he endangered national security and did Buena Vista Social Club, Ry Cooder was probably better known for doing movie soundtracks like this. His slide guitar really captures the Texas hinterlands. With added Harry Dean Stanton doing his monologue about love gone haywire. I used to play it on my radio show at one in the morning. And on Valentine’s Day. Probably fucked a lot of people up as a result.
4. Live And Let Die
There are several good Bond soundtracks to choose from, but I’m partial to this one – partly because of Wings doing the title track, but mainly because of John Barry giving the usual Bond score some soul. Hint: there is much wah-wah here.
5. M*A*S*H
As in the Altman film, not the TV show based on it. A great mix of music and dialogue from one of my favorite movies.
HONORABLE MENTION: Superfly, Shaft, Enter The Dragon, Wild At Heart, This Is Spinal Tap, Fear Of A Black Planet, From Dusk Til Dawn, The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, Dr No,The Incredibles, Ocean’s 11 (the remake), Heavy Metal, Repo Man, and pretty much anything with Tarantino’s name on it.
EXTRA CREDIT: The Payback
This is a soundtrack that James Brown recorded for a blaxploitation movie called Hell Up In Harlem, but it was rejected by the director for “not being James Brown enough”. Brown released it anyway. So it might be here on a technicality, but it’s a cool record, so I’m counting it.
Planet of sound,
This is dF
