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SOUNDTRACKS: TOP 10 OF 1999

Editor, Jason Verlinde

Onscreen, 1999 saw some delightful and creative movies (along with the usual mass of predictability). In the world of soundtracks, things were no different. No single composer stole the show, but a variety of upstarts (the Dust Brothers, Greg Hale Jones) did their best to invent unique and imaginative scores that held up to repeated listening. A few collections of movie songs ("Iron Giant," "Rushmore") were equally innovative--fun to listen to and the perfect complement to their films. And then there were epic soundtracks--scores that belonged to films such as "The Red Violin," "Tango," and "Eyes Wide Shut"--where classical composers got their chance to bring high-art to Hollywood. As always, diversity reigned supreme.


1. "The Red Violin"
Original Soundtrack
Typically, a soundtrack provides mere sonic accompaniment to a film, but on "The Red Violin," John Corigliano's score literally takes over. Poetic, lyrical, and filled with varying violin styles (all played perfectly by classical superstar Joshua Bell), this soulful and expressive soundtrack is a keeper. Read more

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2. "Tango"
Original Soundtrack
You don't need to see Carlos Saura's "Tango" to appreciate the gorgeous score that Lalo Schifrin has composed here. Schifrin, mining the formative influence of his former bandleader Astor Piazzolla, composes some truly classic tangos that are both spirited and sentimental. Topnotch performers, including 80-year-old tango legend Horacio Salgan, make this delightful disc all the more effective. Read more

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3. "Dracula"
Music by Philip Glass
Sure, it has all the cliches Philip Glass has been criticized for (mainly, a lot of arpeggios), but nothing beats watching this Tod Browning classic with the composer's new, Kronos Quartet-performed score. Not since the late, great Alloy Orchestra has a soundtrack been so creatively interwoven with a cinematic classic. Creepy, beautiful, and repetitive, just like the movie. Read more

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4. "Rushmore"
Original Soundtrack
Lots of soundtracks feature pop songs, but how many have the perfect mix of classic rock and original score material that "Rushmore" does? Not enough. Here, tunes by the Kinks, Cat Stevens, the Faces, and the Who are interspersed with Mark Mothersbaugh's quirky and whimsical instrumentals on a disc that has all the makings of a perfect mix tape. Read more

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5. "The Limey"
Original Soundtrack
Unfortunately, the movie doesn't do this great soundtrack justice. It's a shame, because on disc we hear great classic rock, minimalist orchestrations from Cliff Martinez, and the wicked "Party Sequence" from Danny Saber. Saber's mix is barely audible during the movie, but it steals the show here, a noir-ish mix of dance music and organ jazz. Read more

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6. "The General's Daughter"
Original Soundtrack
Carter Burwell gets most of the credit for the soundtrack to "The General's Daughter," but it's Greg Hale Jones's impressive reworking of primitive gospel and blues field recordings that is the real highlight. Hale Jones's Moby-esque remixes are the perfect complement to Burwell's more traditional, brooding orchestrations. Read more

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7. "The Iron Giant"
Original Soundtrack
"The Iron Giant" was a great movie that unfortunately flopped, despite having a wonderful soundtrack. Musically, it has all the quirks of a John Waters collection with none of the throwaway tracks. The vintage recordings of the Nutty Squirrels, Mel Torme, the Ames Brothers, and Jimmy Lloyd give this nostalgia-filled disc plenty of personality. Also included is a brief excerpt of Michael Kamen's instrumental score, available separately in its entirety. Read more

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8. "American Beauty"
Original Soundtrack
Sometimes the song collections found on soundtracks do nothing to enhance the movie, but in "American Beauty," music played an integral role in illustrating the characters' generation gap. Thomas Newman's probing score leads things off, but great alt-rock tracks by Elliott Smith, Eels, the Folk Implosion, and Gomez are the real highlights, along with vintage tunes by Peggy Lee, Bobby Darin, and the Who. An interesting, infectious mix of new and old music. Read more

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9. "Fight Club"
Original Soundtrack
The Dust Brothers are best known as the production aces behind some of alt-rock's biggest names, but on "Fight Club" they prove they're also no slouches at creating a memorable movie score. Featuring dark, dreary techno and industrial passages, the "Fight Club" soundtrack is both ominous and youthful, just like the movie. Read more

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10. "Eyes Wide Shut"
Original Soundtrack
Stanley Kubrick's soundtracks have always been legendary, and "Eyes Wide Shut" is no exception. Upstart classical composer Jocelyn Pook has created a brooding and minimalist instrumental score that is the perfect compliment to modern composer Gyoergy Ligeti's uneasy solo-piano main theme. Meanwhile, tunes by Chris Isaak, Oscar Peterson, and Brad Mehldau help lighten the mood. Read more

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