Review Summary: Mansell's masterpiece.
How do you sum up one of the most inspirational movies of the 21st century? Requiem For A Dream is without a doubt a brilliant piece of work. Every tiny detail is crafted into perfection, from the unusual rave club scenes right up to the much slower ending. Don't take the soundtrack any differently, though. I could honestly say that this is Clint Mansell's best work, and if some aren't familiar with his music I recommend it strongly. He has seeked help with some new faces this time, the soothing harmonic sounds of the Kronos Quartet. Besides sounding too much like Immediate Music without the choir, the violin pieces are easy listening, and so is the album. The highlight of the album is definitely "(Summer) Overture", which acts as a haunting intro compressed with piano, guitar and flute elements. The epic feel is unmatched, even though the tempo is dramatically different to the version heard on the trailer. You cannot say in words how good this song is, and must be listened by any soundtrack fan.
What Requiem For A Dream has done is create a true feel of the movie. Some soundtracks these days are only blown out with featured bands to drive the movies popularity along. (Transformers)... The RFAD Soundtrack does not want the average Trivium dude to listen to this, regardless of how much a fan he is of the movie. It is made to only perfectly fit the mood. And if it involves music about a flim with crackheads, vulgur language and Marlon Wayans then make no exceptions. It has a little bit of everything, from electronica, dance, rock, pop, orchestra and hip-hop. Many influences are drawn in, and they are completely performed by a Quartet group, further proving how modern technology could fail to the golden oldies. More stunning pieces introduced, "Coney Island Dreaming" is a dreamy (no pun) song filled with violin pieces beautiful enough to be considered work of Hilary Hahn. "Party", on the other hand, is a drugged-out version of The Crystal Method mixed with soundtrack. The idea sounds strange, but provides enough bells and whistles to make you bounce. "High on Life" is what the name suggests; grab a bong and kick up your feet on the couch. Smooth listening, keeps the mood of the movie simply fantastic.
I cannot go into detail on more songs, but I'll sum it up now. Requiem For A Dream is music from an experienced group of people. The type of people who know and appreciate the music for what it is. If you haven't watched the movie, I recommend you do soon. Its a very touching story based on the lives of young people addicted to drugs. We haven't had a movie with such a powerful message ever since Al Gore decided to make a threatening situation sound like a snooze-fest. Don't do drugs, do the sound instead. You won't instantly be blown away by the soundtrack, it takes more than a few listens to sink into your head and will soon stand out as something you could look back at (or at least represents something you would think about generations to come). This is Mansell's masterpiece.
Recommended tracks:
"Summer Overture"
"Tense"
"Dr. Pill"
"Party"
"Hope Overture"
"Southern Hospitality"
"Fear"
"The Beginning of the End"