 |
I purchased this cd because I loved the movie!! And I thought that the sound track was pretty awesome. What I like the most about this cd is Amiee Mann. Shes incredible. I really like this cd.
As with many soundtracks, rarely do you buy them unless you've seen the film and enjoyed it. Why? Well, as any good soundtrack should, it needs to be evocative and well placed within a film. As with Reservoir Dogs, (in my humble opinion Tarantino's only film of any depth, and even then it looks more like a stage scipt adapted to the big screen), the soundtrack fits. As in dogs, not only is there a selection of eclectic and "off the beaten track" songs, but they gel well with the particular piece of celluloid they accompany in the movie. Face it, Steeler's Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle" may have been a good song, but it's use at that particular moment, to that particular event, made it great. So too does Magnolia achieve what so many soundtracks miss. It is not enough to have good songs almost arbitrarily in the background. Music is second only to smell as a memory and emotion trigger... the music must fit, indeed lead, some parts of the film, and this soundtrack does that well. Aimee Mann's cover of "One" (originally by Three Dog Night) is beautifully placed in the film and manages to grab the viewer (and listener) and make them soar far above and through the film sequence, an amazing oxymoron as, at that point, the film is almost literally dragging you the wreckage and lonliness of the film's protagonists. So why am I harping on about the film? You're wondering whether to buy a soundtrack, not a movie. Well, I hope the above explains. On it's own the music is good, but with the knowledge of the film, it becomes great. This is not to say don't buy it until you've seen the film, just to say that the film will enhance it. So back to the album. As I said, it's more an Aimee Mann album, with some nine songs from her as a solo artist (she used to be in a band called 'til Tuesday) and they are truly beautiful. Her range and emotion is stirring and such depth from an artist who, for lack of a better pigeon-hole, must fit in the twin, ugly boxes of pop/folk (folk! yuck!) the music is just sublime. But hark! A warning! Just because it is beautiful it doesn't make it nice. Especially with the film in the background. No, this album is a big no-no if you're feeling down - only The Smiths can be more beautiful and more depressing at the same time. However, if you want bubble gum pop, buy chart music. Or Avril Lavigne... Aside from "One", "Momentum" (used on the trailers) is a great piece of music with a beautiful juxtaposition of instrument, voice and lyrical content. See also "Deathly" and "Driving Sideways". A must for Aimee Mann fans. But wait! What about the rest? Well, there are four songs by other artisits and, although all good, they seem almost as an afterthought, tacked on to the end. Supertramp are there with two from the vaults and, hey, they're always welcome, especially their eponymous "Goodbye Stranger" (used with devastating effect as William H Macy's character's life slips from sad into truly despairing in the film), along with a token "happy" track from Gabrielle and some of the film score by Jon Brion at the end. Once you get over the jolt of these four "extras" seemingly tacked on at random to the end of an Aimee Mann album, you'll be able to get into some all round great music. And although I said it wasn't vital, try to see the film first!Read full review
See title. Now I am biased, I love this film. But this is a CD. If I were allowed to take the film into account it would be a 5. This is one of the albums where there is not a song I dislike, which is rare even among my favourite film soundtracks. However, I do not love every song either. They can get repetitive, almost all being from Aimee Mann. I think she wrote two especially for the films, but those she did not fit in flawlessly. However, if youre buying this as a fan of hers, only expect 5/6 songs you dont have (assuming you dont have supertramp etc.) The 3/4 not by her are nestled at the end of the album, which I initially thought was odd, but makes sense when you listen to it. I was about to type that its a short album, but then looked and saw it was 12 songs. This isnt exactly long but its not short either. For me, the first half goes quite quickly. Not to say I dont like it, but I can be found to skip a song or two every now and again. The end of the album is where it comes into its own. The last two Aimee Mann songs are worryingly good and supertramp are always welcome as far as im concerned. Basically; If you loved the film, buy the album. If you love Aimee Mann, consider buying the album. If not, consider buying the album anyway.Read full review
i bought this cd because i enjoyed the film so much and loved the songs that are very meaningful with or without the film the cd is brilliant and i would recommend it to anyone
all good
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best-selling in CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
