Review Summary: Very ambient and atmospheric soundtrack to go with a movie of the same quality.
As we reflect on what we remember from these early stages of the 21st century, we remember what brings us memories (duh). Visions of George Bush being elected president twice, the Patriots owning the hell out of the NFL, and September 11th ring true in our minds. But what isn't as obvious, is the rise of film soundtracks that are becoming more and more popular, and in tune with the films that they create music for. The soundtrack for
Lost in Translation (directed by Sofia Coppola) is no different.
From the beginning of this project, it seemed that former My Bloody Valentine guitarist, indie icon Kevin Shields would just take over and make every track on it something new or some song from
Loveless. In the end, his direction in the sound of the soundtrack is noted but aided with the contribution of many other bands that sound EXACTLY LIKE MY BLOODY VALENTINE (just kidding).
The soundtrack begins with
Tokyo, which is the beginning of the film, and which is basically for the movie, the sounds of people walking through a subway in Tokyo, and for the soundtrack: the sounds of people walking through a subway in Tokya, amazing. There isn't much to comment on this "song" except for it's the beginning of everything, and without it, this film and soundtrack would be lost completely in a hole of no beginning.
The next track is
City Girl, an original song from Kevin "ringmaster" Shields. It's probably the first thing he's recorded in awhile but it doesn't sound like it. The song is relazing and could serve as a good transition between scenes, I don't remember how or if they used it, but it does add to the mood of the track, which is always good. Next up is
Fantino by Sebastien Tellier, a band in which I was not familar at all with. There are no vocals but it is very good relazing music (I'm starting to sound repetitive :upset:). Light guitars strum while keyboard plays the main part, though soft, but heard. Times of sound increasing occurs but then fades away. Oh yeah, kids accross America are getting stoned to this right now.
Tonnib by known dream pop band, Squarepusher, is next. This is a quick 1:20 sound with more ambient guitar that sounds nice.
Girls by Death in vegas is next, with a change of pace drum cymbal usage, and lovely female vocals that sound like Blenda Butchner. The guitar at this point is sounding like all the bands used the same exact one, no worries though, it does back up the film quite well. What's this? a drumbeat!? Yes this sound is actually progressing, the vocals keep going "aaahhhh aaahhhh" with backup females doing the same thing to a progressing drum beat. And now it reaches all the way up to normal tempo. I appologize for being bad at describing this, but it is quite good, no matter how repetitive or bland my words make it seem.
After this,
Goodbye by Kevin Shields takes over, a more ambient track than his last one. Another track that is hard to describe, more background music. At this point I'd say this is good for listening through all the way and getting into, maybe shutting your eyes without falling asleep, good luck. Even if you do fall asleep,
Too Young by Phoenix will wake you up. This is a real song from a real band (though still pop) with all instruments used, and it is great. This song will make you feel good on the inside and make you dance all over the place (yes, all over your living room). "
Can't you hear it calling oh yeah/Everybody's dancin' oh yeah/Tonight everything is over" Oh yeah indeed, a good dance tune and great song in general. Keeping on the pace of songs that don't sound exactly alike (or as some people will tell you, "flow together"),
Kazo wo Atsumete plays, a song sung in Japanese and mainly featuring a plucked accoustic guitar and keyboard effects. I have no idea what he is saying, but this song is still good, you will find yourself enjoying it, trust me.
On the Subway plays next, sounding like the drummer from the Jesus and Mary Chain put together with the keyboardist of Air, making a 1:10 instrumental track. The main problem with the soundtrack at this point, is the inconsistent length of songs, but maybe it contributes to whatever and whatever.
Kevin Shield's 3rd song on this album now plays.
Ikebana begins with clear guitar playing 3 notes over and over with some varietion. There is background ambient sounds to this, and lasts 1:38. Oh yeah baby, break out that copy of [i]Loveless[/b] because here's one of the best songs on it.
Sometimes is from said MBV album, and it's great. Dununuhhhhhhh Sometimesssss.... This track utalizes Kevin's voice as another instrument, and adds to the ambient mood. What isn't consistent with the album though, is that this wasn't recorded with any of the other tracks. It just shows Kevin's past creative ability of picking a song from his old band and putting it in where it fits so well, and is a reminder of what was great about 90's rock.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Sometimes
Close my eyes/Feel me now/I don't know/How you could not/love me now/You will know/With her feet down to the ground/Over There/and I want you, love, to know/You can't hide/Oh no/From the way I feel
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Sure the lyrics are stupid as hell, but the lyrics aren't the point. Its the feel and sound of the music, that makes this song (and for the most part, this soundtrack).
Alone in Kyoto by Air is the next song. Made for this soundtrack but placed on their 2004 album
Talkie Walkie, the song is guitar being played until about 1:17 in when the piano and female backing vox set in as well. These 2 elements work off each other, repeating and revisiting for bits at a time until 3:34 in, when piano takes over and new sounding guitar accompanies it, and fade out (for 50 seconds).
Shibuya now plays, another mostly background noise with somewhat surfacing keyboard effects. This song is longer than the previous Brian Reitzell & Roger J. Manning Jr tune. It provides somewhat of more substance than the other song as well, for a little bit, then fades into ambience. The last song by Kevin on this album,
Are you Awake? now plays. This song employs more background noise, but with more of a beat than previously used. It suits to show Kevin as less of a rock musician, and more as a possible electronic/ambient artist? Well, either way the song doesn't last long.
The album comes to a close with The Jesus and Mary Chain's most popular song, from their album
Psychocandy,
Just Like Honey. As anyone who listens to the JaMC would say, the song plays with their usual fuzz rock sound and vocals that sound like they are looking down as they sing (see where the term shoegazer comes from? Now you know).
"Just like Honey.../just like honey..../just like honey" This song works the listener into a trance of thinking things are just like honey as the title suggests, and after about 3 minutes, the song stops and everything is silent until about 7 minutes later, with a "bonus track". This track required me to listen to 7 minutes of nothing at all, so it will receive no recognition.
I give this soundtrack something in the area of a 4.1-4.3. It's great if you're in the right mood to relax, but like mentioned earlier, the inconsistent song lengths and presistence of background noise does take away a little. This flaw may exist, but can also be seen as what makes this soundtrack work. Either way is fine with me, go find a way to see this movie and attain this soundtrack post haste, its quite good.
