This site was conceived as a side project by a "tekkie" friend of mine who suggested I use my journalistic experience to write about something I love. We bandied about some ideas before settling on this one - largely because I had collected movie soundtracks for much of my life and thought I could write about them. We wanted the site to be user friendly, well-written and reliable.
Over time, I hope to attract other writers keen to contribute to the site, who don't mind foregoing the financial benefits they may be used to in the short-term for something that may, or may not, be profitable further down the line.
The gradual demise of the cd format, re-emergence of vinyl, along with the expansion of blu-ray dvd and downloads translate to an ever-changing market place; despite this, most of us still buy cd's and dvd's and I hope that you will use the Amazon links on this site to buy online.
We have also included mini YouTube video links that accompany the reviews, so that you can listen to your favourite theme music while watching a related trailer or clip from the movie; because film is a visual medium, there seems no better way of presenting it.
Finally, a note on the type of soundtracks featured. Though purists generally view albums such as "Top Gun", "Flashdance" and others like them, as unworthy of coverage on a film soundtrack site, preferring instead to focus on orchestral scores, we have taken the view that these albums have earned their place based on their continued saleability and affection with a large section of cinema-goers. We wanted to reach as broad an audience as possible and have developed the site with this in mind, without forgetting those fans for whom composers such as Bernard Herrmann and Jerry Goldsmith, among many others, are considered on a par with the master composers. We hope you can find your best movie soundtracks on this site.
Nine To Five
1980, 20th Century Fox.
Charles Fox.
Intrada, Special Collection #84. Rating:
Charles Fox wrote a entertaining, if slight score to accompany the on-screen, often slap stick exploits of a group of female office workers who believe they have accidentally killed the boss with rat poison. Launching the film career of country singer Dolly Parton, ‘Nine To Five’ was a box office hit but relies solidly on the performances of its stars, including Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin to keep its ridiculous storyline in check. The highlight of the soundtrack album is undoubtedly Parton’s hit ‘Nine To Five’ but cues, ‘Violet’s Fantasy’, with its Disney-esque tone and the upbeat ‘Office Montage’ provide the listener with just enough to keep them interested. Just.
Nine To Five Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. 9 To 5 - Dolly Parton.
2. Violet Steals Body.
3. Office Montage.
4. Judy’s Fantasy.
5. Hart Tries To Escape.
6. Pillow Fight.
7. Violet’s Fantasy.
8. Easy Time.
9. Dora Lee’s Fantasy.
10. Violet Poisoned The Boss.
11. Ajax Warehouse.
12. The Intruder.
13. Charlie’s Bar.
14. 9 To 5 (Reprise) - Dolly Parton.
Finally, Wendy Carlos’ score to Disney’s effects driven techno chase movie, gets a deserved CD release after years of copyright wrangles. Originally released in 1982 on LP, this is a straight transfer with three additional tracks, including the dynamic ‘TRONAction’. Carlos’ part electronic, part orchestral score represents the two sides of the story; one set inside a computer, the other outside, in the ‘real’ world. Though the electronics may sound heavy-handed compared to today’s offerings, they add to, rather than detract from the overall effect of the score, bringing a warmth to the proceedings that would vanish had they been ‘air-brushed’ out. Two main themes predominate: a secondary love theme representing the relationship between Tron (Bruce Boxleitner) and Yori (Cindy Morgan) and a militaristic one, representing the the company (MCP) on their trail. There is also a main ‘Love Theme’ heard in full during ‘End Titles’ and a couple of MOR songs by Journey. Electric. Tron Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Creation of TRON
2. “Only Solutions” (Journey).
3. We’ve Got Company
4. Wormhole
5. Ring Game and Escape
6. Water, Music and TRONAction
7. TRON Scherzo
8. Miracle and Magician
9. Magic Landings
10. Theme from TRON
11. “1990’s Theme” (Journey).
12. Love Theme
13. Tower Music - Let Us Pray
14. The Light Sailer
15. Sea of Simulation
16. A New TRON and the MCP
17. Anthem
18. Ending Titles
19. TRONAction (Original Version)
20. Break In (For Strings, Flutes and Celesta)
21. Anthem for Keyboard Solo
Scarface.
1983, Universal.
Giorgio Moroder/Various.
Geffen, CD, 2003, 0602498613634. Rating:
Giorgio Moroder (‘American Gigolo’, ‘Flashdance’) was hired to perform his usual synth/pop magic for Brian De Palma’s stylish gangster flick starring Al Pacino, as a Cuban refugee turned drug kingpin. The soundtrack may be dated and suffer from a couple of dud songs; particularly bad is ‘I’m Hot Tonight’, one of two by Elizabeth Daly; but the punchy main theme ‘Scarface (Push It To The Limit)’ sets the tone for a generally adrenaline-fuelled series of power pop numbers that really deliver, while capturing some of the film’s drug-fuelled energy. A couple of Moroder’s instrumental cues are also included but this is essentially an album that plays to the masses with a fair amount of gaudy style and bucket loads of 1980s attitude. Scarface Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1.Scarface (Push It To The Limit) (Paul Engeman).
2.Rush Rush (Deborah Harry).
3.Turn Out The Light (Amy Holland).
4.Vamos A Bailar (Maria Conchita).
5.Tony’s Theme (Giorgio Moroder).
6.She’s On Fire (Amy Holland).
7.Shake It Up (Elizabeth Daly).
8.Dance Dance Dance (Beth Anderson).
9.I’m Hot Tonight (Elizabeth Daly).
10.Gina’s And Elvira’s Theme (Giorgio Moroder).
