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.
The Burning.
1981, Filmways.
Rick Wakeman.
Fusion, CD, 2006, MFVP110CD Rating:
This first CD release of Rick Wakeman’s score for cult slasher flick ‘The Burning’ may have sounded relatively modern on its original release some eighteen years ago, but electronic scores don’t always age well and this is no exception. Highly anticipated by fans, this album is largely for them; however, it is more engaging overall than John Carpenter’s score for seminal horror ‘Halloween’, that relied on repetition of its major themes to make its point. Wakeman’s inclusion of his ‘Wakeman’s Variations’ on ‘The Burning’ takes listeners back to his prog-rock roots, offering up an interesting parallel score which contrasts sharply with the largely electronic one used in the film. Meanwhile, cues such as ‘Devil’s Creek Breakdown’ and ‘Doin’ It’ respectively crank up the banjo’s and 1970’s MOR. Dated or not, ‘The Burning’ remains an effective slow-burner with plenty of atmosphere and originality. The Burning Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Theme From The Burning.
2. The Chase Continues (PO’s Plane)
3. Variations On The Fire.
4. Shear Terror And More.
5. The Burning (End Title Theme).
6. Campfire Story.
7. The Fire.
8. Doin’ It.
9. Devil’s Creek Breakdown.
10. The Chase.
11. Shear Terror.
Hazell O’Connor wrote and performed the songs, as well as starring in, this entertaining if over the top exploration of the pressures of rock stardom. Produced by the legendary Tony Visconti and spawning hits ‘Eighth Day’ and ‘Will You’, the soundtrack is actually better than the film, with O’Connor singing, then shouting, her way through a set of generally up-tempo post punk pop songs that condemn the rise of a big brother state and criticise society’s disinterest in ‘the little people’: all delivered with plenty of attitude. Breaking Glass Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Writing On The Wall.
2. Monsters In Disguise.
3. Come Into The Air.
4. Big Brother.
5. Who Needs It.
6. Will You?
7. Eighth Day.
8. Top Of The Wheel.
9. Calls The Tune.
10. Blackman.
11. Give Me An Inch.
12. If Only.
Flashdance.
1983, Paramount.
Giorgio Moroder/Various.
Casablanca, CD, 1998 Rating:
Looking like an elongated MTV video, complete with shallow characterisation and minimal plot, ‘Flashdance’ should by rights have been an almighty flop at the box office; but some energetic dance sequences, a pop soundtrack and glossy visuals from ex-advertising director Adrian Lyne, lift it above the sum of its parts, making it an entertaining, if ultimately empty vessel. The soundtrack album sells largely off the back of its infectious theme tune ‘Flashdance (What A Feeling), performed by Irene Cara (‘Fame’) and Michael Sembello’s ‘Maniac’ that top and tail it. Tracks, ‘He’s A Dream’ and ‘Lady Lady Lady’ (unknowingly) play the kitsch card with a certain charm but are seriously dated. Master of the electronic keyboard, Giorgio Moroder scored the film and wrote a handful of songs on the album, including ‘Love Theme from Flashdance’, performed by Helen St. John and the film’s title song; meanwhile ‘Manhunt’ with its lady’s night lyrics and the film’s welder turned stripper theme (though based on a true story), leaves you in no doubt that while ‘Flashdance’ may have been made for women, it was most definitely written by men. Flashdance Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Flashdance (What A Feeling) (Irene Cara).
2. He’s A Dream (Shandi).
3. Love Theme From ‘Flashdance’ (Helen St. John).
4. Manhunt (Karen Kamon).
5. Lady, Lady, Lady (Joe Esposito).
6. Imagination (Laura Branigan).
7. Romeo (Donna Summer).
8. Seduce Me Tonight (Cycle V).
9. I’ll Be Here Where The Heart Is (Kim Carnes).
10. Maniac (Michael Sembello)
