Topic: Favourite film/tv soundtracks of all time. (Read 14675 times)

KharBevNor · « **on:** 16 Mar 2006, 11:22 »

Simple thread, really. What are yout favourite film/tv soundtracks ever, and why? Although I won't insist on it for others, I myself will keep myself to soundtracks where the music was specifically composed for the film/tv show in question, and not just compilations of songs from other sources, or, even worse, 'music inspired by the film' compilations.

1: V/A - The Wicker Man

Absolute and utter brilliance. It's rare that you can get a movie soundtrack that is actually ground-breaking and influential, but this album is an avowed influence of many a neo-folk artist. It's also fucking brilliant. As an aside, doesn anyone know what that thing the kid is playing right at the start of 'Maypole' is?

2: Yasushii Ishii - Hellsing

Someone needs to turn this sort of stuff into a proper genre or something. if I was pressed for a very brief description, it would be 'A punkier Malice Mizer on crack with some jazz'. It's fantastically eclectic and fantastically good. Excellent tracks abound, such as the acoustic guitar and whistling chill-out of 'Pure Death', or 'Musical Play Smiling Rebellious Flower' (oh yeah, these CD's are Engrish heaven btw), which starts out as a jazzy, upbeat sort of rock track with almost doo-wop undertones, all smiles and sunshine, then slowly becomes unsettling and menacing as evil undercurrents creep in and strange sound-collages and keyboard effects come in, ending up with a full on segue into the funeral march and a decaying orchestra. Fucking classic.

3: Howard Shore - Lord of the Rings

Absolutely perfect orchestral film soundtracks. John Williams dreams of doing stuff like this. That said.

4: John Williams - Star Wars Trilogy

IMPERIAL MARCH BITCHES! DUM DUM DUM DUM DUDUM DUM DUDUM DUUUUU DUUUU DUUUUU DUM DUDUM DUM DUDUM.

5: Vangelis - Blade Runner

I have less and less to say about these. Sex though.

6: Jerry Goldsmith - Alien

Scareh.

7: Coil - The Angelic Conversation.

It's Coil, man!

And I can't really think of anymore. Individual song credit to:

Barrington Pheloung - Inspector Morse Theme
Brad Fiedel - Terminator Theme

And whoever composed 'Anvils of Crom' from Conan the Barbarian. That is one bad-ass track.

Thrillho · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 12:31 »

The Matrix soundtrack had an amazing selection of great songs. One of about the two Deftones songs I ever liked, Rammstein, a rare moment of enjoyable music from Monster Magnet - and of course it all closes with Wake Up, possibly the best song RATM ever did.

mberan42 · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 13:08 »

Quote from: DynamiteKid

The Matrix soundtrack <snip> and of course it all closes with Wake Up, possibly the best song RATM ever did.

Yeah, I agree.

I like that song so much that I hacked my mobile, uploaded an mp3 of the "wake up!" section towards the end, and set it as my alarm. Fuckin' makes me jump outta bed.

Kirbo · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 13:59 »

The Theme to Sanford and Son, The Theme to Batman, The Theme to Seinfeld.

Those are the greatest TV Theme's ever.

The Jefferson's is up there too.

Kai · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 14:03 »

Quote from: KharBevNor

7: Coil - The Angelic Conversation.

It's Coil, man!

Wait, what did Coil do the soudntrack for? gimme gimme, bitches.

Also, totally double the Hellsing soudtrack. It wins.

Also, the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack is pretty great too.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 14:07 »

A wierd, wierd art flick called 'The Angelic Conversation'. They also did a soundtrack for Hellraiser that didn't end up being used, which is also pretty sweet now I think on't.

Mr. Oysterhead · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 14:10 »

I thought for the longest time that Les Claypool did the Seinfeld fills and theme, but recently I was told that that is false! Anyone know?

FeralCats · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 14:11 »

Peter fucking Gunn, By Henry Mancini (Err...without the fucking...)

So....fucking....incredible.

Kirbo · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 14:13 »

Quote from: Mr. Oysterhead

I thought for the longest time that Les Claypool did the Seinfeld fills and theme, but recently I was told that that is false! Anyone know?

I'm fairly sure it's by Les Claypool, yes.

Kai · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 14:40 »

Quote from: Mr. Oysterhead

I thought for the longest time that Les Claypool did the Seinfeld fills and theme, but recently I was told that that is false! Anyone know?

I don't think he did. Doesn't really sound like his... sound, per say. But I don't know.
EDIT: I don't have anything else to do but look these things up, but wikipedia says that they were made by a Mr. Jonathan Wolff.

I'm totally going to go get The Angelic Conversation now though.

Mr. Oysterhead · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 14:55 »

Quote from: Kai

Quote from: Mr. Oysterhead
I thought for the longest time that Les Claypool did the Seinfeld fills and theme, but recently I was told that that is false! Anyone know?

I don't think he did. Doesn't really sound like his... sound, per say. But I don't know.
EDIT: I don't have anything else to do but look these things up, but wikipedia says that they were made by a Mr. Jonathan Wolff.

I'm totally going to go get The Angelic Conversation now though.

Eh, I was just sayin'. It does sound very Stanley Clarke influenced, which I know he didn't show a lot of during Primus. But anyhoo, I like the Garden State soundtrack.

nescience · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 14:59 »

Quote from: KharBevNor

5: Vangelis - Blade Runner

7: Coil - The Angelic Conversation.

Seconded and seconded! I also like the Metropolis soundtrack that was commissioned fifteen or so years ago. It's not the original score for this silent film, but I believe all tracks were requisitioned specifically for the film, so it's okay. I also liked Queen's rather underrated Flash Gordon.

M3gaBigh · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 15:55 »

I totaly agree with the Hellsing call up there in the first post, that was an awsome soundtrack.

In terms of original soundtracks the only other one that comes to mind is the soundtrack to Cowboy Bebop, I absolutly love it, so much great music.

There are quite a few compilation soundtracks that I also enjoy. The Forrest Gump soundtrack is nice, alot of great pop music covering the times from the 50s on. Scrubs has a pretty nice soundtrack too in terms of more modern stuff.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 15:56 »

Quote from: nescience

I also liked Queen's rather underrated Flash Gordon.

It's gotta be the album version with the cheesy quotes.

"FLASH, I LOVE YOU, BUT WE ONLY HAVE FOURTEEN HOURS TO SAVE THE EARTH!"

"Dispatch war rocket Ajax, to bring back his body!"

"Gordons alive!?"

What a great fucking film.

Queen actually do pretty good soundtracks. Although I'd forgotten it, I'd probably rate their music for Highlander better. Especially if you've ever seen the video to 'Princes of the Universe'.

Oh, and if the songs in musicals count as being a soundtrack (and I suppose they should, since most of the songs in the Wicker Man are performed on-screen.)

That Metropolis soundtrack titillates me. Metropolis is like, my favourite blatantly marxist silent German sci-fi film EVAR.

Mr. Oysterhead: -10 points for mentioning the Garden State soundtrack, though congratulations to the rest of you guys, I thought that was going to be, like, second post.

nescience · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 16:18 »

Oh yes yes-- Queen's A Kind of Magic is one of my favorite albums ever, and I've remarked multiple times about the excellence of "Princes of the Universe" as well as "Who Wants to Live Forever" (if only for Brian May's turn at vocals).

I can't believe Flash Gordon came to mind and not A Kind of Magic.

E. Spaceman · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 16:18 »

Paris, Texas. Ry Cooder's slide guitar playing gets me every time.
The Life Aquatic. Bowie in portuguese and the Zizou theme FTW.
Trainspotting. Lots of good songs by many of my favourite artists.

Individual pieces:
Dr Who - Dr Who theme
Neo Genesis Evangelion- Zankoku no Tenshi
Six Feet Under- Six Feet Under theme.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 17:12 »

Quote from: E. Spaceman

Dr Who - Dr Who theme

Shit, can't believe I forgot that. The originals by Delia Derbyshire, btw.

Jake Henry · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 17:15 »

The "I [love] Huckabees" soundtrack. I've always loved Jon Brion's work, he's the only reason I would ever go to L.A.

Kai · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 18:18 »

FLCL's soundtrack was pretty fancy. But tha'ts just because I really like THe Pillows.

Dyess · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 13:30 »

Empire Records, Garden State, and High Fidelity soundtracks feckin kill. And can't forget the SCRUBS soundtracks for busting out the Colin Hay

jake-s · « **Reply #20 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 13:37 »

well for tv its gotta be the srubs theme tune (im no superman)

BeoPuppy · « **Reply #21 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 13:46 »

Hercules soundtrack! Disney knows what to do with music. usually it's too sweet but this time around they hit it on the head with gospel choirs doing the mythological muses ....

Judgement night! Awful flick, great tracks. the collaboration between rappers and metal. I do blame it for Limp Bizkit, though ...

Crow II! Linda Perry feat. Grace Slick-- "Knock Me Out" ....find this track. It's great.

5th element soundtrack ... brilliant piece of work and you have to love the Ruby Rod Rap.

Zaarin · « **Reply #22 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 14:28 »

Trainspotting and 24 Hour Party People had pretty great soundtracks.

The title track for the latter is my favourite Happy Mondays song, and the ten minute Primal Scream instrumental on the former is just nifty.

"Born Slippy (Nuxx)" by Underworld is a great song, too. For some reason that effect they've used on the vocals really appeal to me, as does the style in which they're delivered.

IronOxide · « **Reply #23 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 14:55 »

Collections not made for movie/Show
1. Kill Bill
2. Scrubs
3. Empire Records

Made for movie/show
1. Cowboy Bebop (Yoko Kano)
2. The Incredibles (Michael Giacchino)
3. Star Wars (John Williams)

I have no idea where The Truman Show falls in this, but it is worth of mentioning.

penpen17 · « **Reply #24 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 15:01 »

I totally second the Hellsing soundtrack. I used to listen to a lot of anime soundtracks. Some others that stand out are the soundtracks by Yuki Kajiura (Noir, .Hack//Sign) and, of course, the Yoko Kanno soundtracks (Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Wolf's Rain.)

As for movies, one of the classics in my mind is the Shining. The way Kubrik uses Bartok is f'in chilling. Also, I'm going to go with the obvious indie favorites and list Garden State, Lost in Translation, and the Royal Tenenbaums

edit: also, I've never seen the actual show, but I've seen a lot of good music on the soundtrack from the OC

Ravenbomb · « **Reply #25 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 15:21 »

in no particular order:

Requiem for a Dream: I can't recall a soundtrack that better fits a movie than this. They could've just lazied it up and given it a generic score with the sweeping violins and all that, but this was just manic and different in exactly the right ways.

The Devil's Rejects: Unexpected uses of great sothern rock.

The Third Man: Zither theme~!

Shaun of the Dead: Best use of Queen music since Wayne's World

Johnny C · « **Reply #26 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 15:51 »

Selmasongs. WIN.

M3gaBigh · « **Reply #27 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 19:04 »

I just thought of another one, The I am Sam soundtrack is pretty awsome, I'm just a sucker for covers though.

Kai · « **Reply #28 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 20:42 »

Quote from: Ravenbomb

Shaun of the Dead: Best use of Queen music since Wayne's World

Where they're beating the zombie guy and they keep spinning around and around? Best part of the movie.

Ravenbomb · « **Reply #29 on:** 17 Mar 2006, 20:50 »

Quote from: Kai

Quote from: Ravenbomb

Shaun of the Dead: Best use of Queen music since Wayne's World

Where they're beating the zombie guy and they keep spinning around and around? Best part of the movie.

it's tied with "I SAID LEAVE HIM ALONE!" for me

Praeserpium Machinarum · « **Reply #30 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 02:30 »

The Road to Perdition soundtrack is awesome as well as Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride..

squawk · « **Reply #31 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 02:34 »

i really like the Amelie soundtrack. And the Sanford and Son theme song.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #32 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 05:15 »

Quote from: Ravenbomb

The Third Man: Zither theme~!

Yes, that one is somewhat brilliant.

penpen17 · « **Reply #33 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 06:47 »

Quote from: Praeserpium Machinarum

The Road to Perdition soundtrack is awesome as well as Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride..

Anything by Danny Elfman is automatically awesome.

amok · « **Reply #34 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 06:59 »

Quote from: Ravenbomb

Requiem for a Dream: I can't recall a soundtrack that better fits a movie than this. They could've just lazied it up and given it a generic score with the sweeping violins and all that, but this was just manic and different in exactly the right ways.

This is definitely the correct answer.

Cartilage Head · « **Reply #35 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 10:16 »

The soundtrack to Cold Mountain,the soundtrack to Clerks,and the soundtrack to Tank Girl.

Kai · « **Reply #36 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 10:54 »

CHEWBACCA!

I totally have that song.

Cartilage Head · « **Reply #37 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 19:07 »

MY LOVE FOR YOU IS LIKE A TRUCK BERSERRRKERRRRR..WOULD YOU LIKE SOME MAKING FUCK BERSERRRKERRRRR?!

Ravenbomb · « **Reply #38 on:** 18 Mar 2006, 20:50 »

that's beautiful, man

Iwan · « **Reply #39 on:** 19 Mar 2006, 09:20 »

Quote from: KharBevNor

1: V/A - The Wicker Man

Absolute and utter brilliance. It's rare that you can get a movie soundtrack that is actually ground-breaking and influential, but this album is an avowed influence of many a neo-folk artist. It's also fucking brilliant. As an aside, doesn anyone know what that thing the kid is playing right at the start of 'Maypole' is?

I think it's a thing called a Jewish harp.

And you're absolutely fuckin' right; that soundtrack is brilliant. I heard some Belgian musicians perfomr some songs from it and two days later, I ordered the cd. Took a long time to ship it over but it was worth it.

Also really fuckin' cool;
Oh brother where art thou
Kill Bill
Death Design (movie was never released but the soundtrack found its way to the audience, think slightly expermental black/death. For the metalheads, Blakkheim and Dan Swäno were the engines behind this soundtrack).

Houdinimachine · « **Reply #40 on:** 19 Mar 2006, 11:23 »

Kill Bill vol. 1 is awesome if only for the cover of "Don't Let me be Misunderstood."

What's wrong with the Garden State soundtrack?... other than the fact that the movie was more Braff's way of showcasing the music than vice versa? I still cringe in that scene were she offers him the Shins music.

Still, Garden State is a very good movie.

My favorite TV soundtrack is Grey's Anatomy. They use Nellie McKay a LOT... and I loves me some Nellie McKay. Plus, the theme song is nice.

Kai · « **Reply #41 on:** 19 Mar 2006, 11:49 »

Quote from: Iwan

Death Design (movie was never released but the soundtrack found its way to the audience, think slightly expermental black/death. For the metalheads, Blakkheim and Dan Swäno were the engines behind this soundtrack).

SWANO? WANT WANT

Also, The Garden State soundtrack sucks because I SAID SO

KharBevNor · « **Reply #42 on:** 19 Mar 2006, 17:21 »

Quote from: Iwan

Death Design (movie was never released but the soundtrack found its way to the audience, think slightly expermental black/death. For the metalheads, Blakkheim and Dan Swäno were the engines behind this soundtrack).

I will be tracking this down.

Fuck, the idea of getting Swano to score a movie is actually BRILLIANT.

beat mouse · « **Reply #43 on:** 19 Mar 2006, 17:52 »

Quote from: Jake Henry

The "I [love] Huckabees" soundtrack. I've always loved Jon Brion's work, he's the only reason I would ever go to L.A.

I Heart Huckabees did have an awesome soundtrack, but there will be no greater soundtrack than The Life Aquatic. Easily the best scored film out there. Fight Club and Requiem For A Dream both had exceptional soundtracks as well.

Quote from: Kai

Also, The Garden State soundtrack sucks because I SAID SO

WORD.

Narr · « **Reply #44 on:** 19 Mar 2006, 22:58 »

Pretty much anything by Quentin Tarantino.

Hat · « **Reply #45 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 02:49 »

Films:

1) Life Aquatic (Portuguese David Bowie for YES)
2) Empire Records (This is pretty much the album that weaned me off metal as a teenager, even though I don't think I've listened to anything else by any of the bands off it)
3) Oh shit I forgot Clerks. *Replaces Pulp Fiction with Clerks*

Phew. I nearly cocked that one right up.

TV:

1) Firefly (Seriously. It is like making love to a fiddle)
2) Scrubs (Nuff said)
3) Arrested Development (Ok, so I don't actually own the soundtrack, nor do I know if there even is an official one out there, but I love the feature on the first season DVD where you can just listen to all the background music in one sitting)

sketchyjoe · « **Reply #46 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 12:46 »

The Curtis Mayfield Superfly soundtrack is the greatest soundtrack in existence.

pip_helix · « **Reply #47 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 22:56 »

Quote from: Johnny C

Selmasongs. WIN.

agreed!

Kid Modernist · « **Reply #48 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 23:04 »

I agree with the person who mentioned Requiem for a Dream's soundtrack. Fucking great and fucking fucked uppp.

Zaarin · « **Reply #49 on:** 20 Mar 2006, 23:12 »

I didn't mention any orchestral/"original" soundtracks in my previous post, so I think I'll ramble on about them for a bit now.

Firstly;

Quote from: Praeserpium Machinarum

The Road to Perdition soundtrack

...is really, really, really awesome. I love the use of the uilleann pipes in "Rock Island, 1931". "Rain Hammers" is a very emotive, beautiful piece, as is "Road to Chicago".

As for the movie itself, it damn near rivals The Godfather for "greatest mafia film of all time", in my view. One of my all time favourites, certainly.

Goodbye, Lenin! was another film whose soundtrack really leapt out at me. "Summer '78" (the piece used in the title sequence) is amazing, and the rapid, manic about "The Deutschmark is Coming" (which fits in quite well with the "oh my God, we need to get rid of these worthless ostmarks as fast as possible" tone of the scene it's used in) is great, too. Yann Tiersen = teh winner.

And who doesn't love just about all of Ennio Morricone's soundtracks? The Mission, The Untouchables, A Fistful of Dollars, etc?

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Favourite film/tv soundtracks of all time. (Read 14675 times)

Mr. Oysterhead

Mr. Oysterhead

nescience

M3gaBigh

nescience

Jake Henry

Dyess

jake-s

Zaarin

penpen17

Ravenbomb

M3gaBigh

Ravenbomb

Praeserpium Machinarum

penpen17

Ravenbomb

Iwan

Narr

pip_helix

Kid Modernist

Zaarin