Track List:
02. Elliott Smith - Because
03. The Folk Implosion - Free To Go
04. Free - All Right Now
05. Bill Withers - Use Me
06. Eels - Cancer For The Cure
07. The Who - The Seeker
08. Bobby Darin - Don't Rain On My Parade
09. Betty Carter - Open The Door
10. Gomez - We Haven't Turned Around
11. Peggy Lee - Bali Ha'i
12. Thomas Newman - Any Other Name
Pass for all archives: R&MM
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"American Beauty" won 5 awards at the Oscars, including Best Picture, Director and Actor. A lot of people didn't agree. The subject matter was risky and for some, all too real. Even if it wasn't such a great movie (Which it was!), it still should've gotten the Oscars it did, only for the music! Thomas Newman has scored numerous memorable films including "Little Women", "The Shawshank Redemption" and "Scent of a Woman". He composed the music for AB and was nominated this year. He sadly lost to John Corigliano's music for "The Red Violin".
Here, I will give a brief summary for each track on this CD, that you should be ordering right now!
DEAD ALREADY: This is the cynical and playful opening theme where Lester (Kevin Spacey) introduces his family and his sedated lifestyle. It is very world music-influenced and has a beauty all its own.
AROSE: This track reminds one of sleeping peacefully and dreaming of roses and beauty. It uses cymbals and chimes and is one of the most stunning on the disc.
POWER OF DENIAL: This piece communicates to you and is in itslef deeply moving. It gives one a sense of hidden longing and restlessness, exactly what was provoked onscreen.
LUNCH W/ THE KING: This song refelects the more comedic side to the film, and is in the same style as the first track. It blends in piano quite successfully, also.
MENTAL BOY: ...opens with a few dissonant and ominous phrases from a processed bass flute (?). It moves on to the piano theme that symbolizes Ricky Fitts (Wes Bentley) and his mature, masculine beauty. It is later reflected in ANGELA UNDRESS.
MR. SMARTY-MAN: One of the more subdued of the previous tracks, along with MENTAL BOY. It is actually quite funny when played with the film, but is still a treat to those who remember it, or even haven't seen it.
ROOT BEER: ...is short (1:05) but painfully gorgeous. With a lot of metal percussion, it is sweet and tranquil, yet at the same time brash and erotic. This track is virtually the same as SPARTANETTE, but has a few differences in the dynamic categorey and basic structure.
AMERICAN BEAUTY: Ahhh... The sweetness. This track is the most lovely on the CD. With a gentle piano theme and slowly working strings, it has a melancholy sadness to it, yet still maintains an optimistic flow.
BLOODLESS FREAK: "I will sell this house today! I will sell this house today!" yes, Annette Bening in a slip with the vacuum cleaner. (Okay, really, what woman has never done that. See, I think it frightens people that the film was too real and true to life. Well, that's there problem.) In the category with LUNCH W/ THE KING and DEAD ALREADY, it uses comedic undertones and an over-all fun tone.
CHOKING THE BISHOP: Ah, Mena Suvari in the bath. Ok, many find this song intrusive, but I rather admire Thomas Newman for his ability to convey eroticism without the cheesy sax and candlelight melodies.
WEIRDEST HOME VIDEOS: This is probably my favorite track (along with WALK HOME). It is a very gentle song and takes its time in developing the images of the suburban norm. One of the greatest on the disc.
STRUCTURE AND DISCIPLINE: Probably the darkest of the tracks, also relies on piano and strings, but has a different tone than AMERICAN BEAUTY. It seems very gloomy and desperate, like someone crying out for help. It is the Colonel Fitts (CHRIS COOPER) theme, the darkest element of the film's plot.
SPARTANETTE: Again, pretty much the same as ROOT BEER. Leads right into...
ANGELA UNDRESS: Basicly a repeat of MENTAL BOY without the bass flute. Quite lovely, actually.
MARINE: This is basicly the same as POWER OF DENAIL but has less background activity. I prefer the previous one myself.
WALK HOME: Sheer brilliance. It begins with WEIRDEST HOME VIDEOS but then progresses into a beautiful chime part that brings a tear to your eye. A masterpiece even on its own.
BLOOD RED: A short intro to...
ANY OTHER NAME: This is actually AMERICAN BEAUTY but extended with added emotion. Quite breathtaking.
STILL DEAD: Mostly the same as DEAD ALREADY, but quicker, more cynical and frantic. At about 1:28, Michael Fisher enter on kim-kims with a memorable drum solo set to the back of the music, yet it is dominate and loud.
Words cannot describe it, a wonderful achievement. Much better than THE RED VIOLIN! Cheers to Tommy Newman
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