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.
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).
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)
