for movie soundtrack enthusiasts and music aficionados, a collection of rare, hard to find, out of print, lost, forgotten and classic movie soundtracks...enjoy!
Apocalypto is not your usual film soundtrack. It's only 'themes' are the ethereal and tribal vocals, and the pounding percussion - these two elements are in most of the tracks, yet never get repetitive. Instead, James Horner is able to change and mix them to create any mood necessary: A sense of foreboding and dread, an intense action/chase scene or even a quieter, reflective piece. All the tracks are very original and quite powerful. Beautiful, unique instrumentals with occasional gentle background vocals without words. It works as quiet background music or you can turn it up and appreciate the extreme quality. Few soundtracks on their own can carry the emotion one felt while watching a film; however, this soundtrack does that and more.
Amazon.com review: Mel Gibson staked $30 million and his superstar reputation on this painstakingly bloody interpretation of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, all the while dodging charges of anti-semitism and fostering excruciating cinematic gore at the expense of Christ's message (a notion that also begs some uncomfortable questions about this version's S&M undertones). But because the film's dialog plays out in ancient authentic language dialects, John Debney's musical score takes on an even more central dramatic role. In some ways an unlikely choice as composer (having cut his teeth on many a lightweight comedy and kidflick) Debney nonetheless rises to the challenge, first conjuring up a synth-laden soundscape whose gothic moodiness should be familiar to admirers of the work of Lisa Gerrard, then seasoning it with indigenous instruments, booming percussion and ancient modalities that give the score an almost palpable sense of time and place. As did Jeff Danna on his earlier score for the gentler, de facto companion piece, The Gospel of John, Debney eventually gets 'round to genuflecting towards some Hollywood choral and melodic traditions (the Gospels themselves having arguably helped lay the original foundations for Tinseltown's venerable three-act structure), but there's nothing cheap about his music of triumph and redemption, rooted as ever in roiling currents of ancient spiritual mysticism. Gibson's vision of the Passion has had many second-guessing his motivations and choices, but Debney's rich, evocative score proves there's nothing wrong with his ears. -- Jerry McCulley
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com.......The "music from and inspired by" the Mel Gibson Vietnam film is a full slate of new recordings by a wide range of mainstream stars, along with bagpipe and glee-club pieces that convey the movie's sobriety. Quiet, detailed vignettes by Mary Chapin Carpenter (Patty Griffin's "My Dear Old Friend") and India Arie ("Good Man") express the human losses inherent in the conflict, while the pop-country duo Montgomery Gentry offer "Didn't I," the plaint of the returning vet. Much of the rest is inspirational pop of various stripes. Johnny Cash and Dave Matthews team for the ethereal "For You," while Five for Fighting's "The Beautiful" recalls Matthews's most radio-ready tracks. Atmospheric moments from Christian-poppers and up-and-coming Nashville stars complete the package, which is sure to appeal both to fans of the film and those who'll apply the patriotic sentiments to present-day realities. --Bob Roget
1. For You - Johnny Cash;Dave Matthews
2. Some Mother's Son - Carolyn Dawn Johnson
3. Fall Out - Train
4. Soldier - Steven Curtis Chapman
5. Good Man - India.Arie
6. The Beautiful - Five For Fighting
7. My Dear Old Friend - Mary Chapin Carpenter
8. I Believe - Tammy Cochran
9. The Widowing - Field Jars Of Clay
10. Not So Distant - Day Jamie O'Neal;Michael McDonald
11. Didn't I - Montgomery Gentry
12. The Glory Of Life - Rascal Flatts
13. Sgt. MacKenzie Joseph - Kilna MacKenzie
14. The Mansions of the Lord - United States Military Academy Glee Club
