Where the Wild Things Are
I really enjoy movie soundtracks - something Blog on the Tracks readers will know because we've built a couple of impressive lists already looking at favourite songs to match movie moments and actual instrumental scores. We've also looked at songs inspired by movies or literature.
Another thing I dig about soundtracks is the movie soundtrack created by a pop/rock artist. Not so much a score - although plenty of people have done that, from the Blaxploitation movies through to Mark Knopfler and Peter Gabriel, some combining score and song.
Then there are examples like Aimee Mann's soundtrack for Magnolia; Neil Finn's soundtrack for Rain; Prince's soundtracks for his own movies Purple Rain, Under the Cherry Moon and Graffiti Bridge and his song-cycle/soundtrack for Tim Burton's first Batman film.
Well the latest in that line to take my fancy is the soundtrack to Where the Wild Things Are by Karen O and The Kids.
I'm looking forward to the film definitely - let's see now, it's directed by Spike Jonze; the script is by Dave Eggers and it's from the original Maurice Sendak story. That's reason enough to be enthused. But for the last few weeks I have been playing the soundtrack - and that's an extra reason to be excited about the film.
Karen O comes from The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - a band I used to like quite a bit (particularly the first two EPs) but it has become hard to care about the music...so this works in a way because it is a rebranding of Karen O, a c
reative rebirth of sorts. The band The Kids features all sorts of cool indie-music buzz-bands, members from Grizzly Bear and The Dead Weather are on board, people from Deerhunter and the other members of The Yeah Yeah Yeahs...there's also an untrained children's choir.
This song/theme will drive you nuts - or you will love it.
I think the soundtrack's very cute and it's nice hearing a different side of Karen O; the YYY's music is all about posturing and feels far too phoney after a while. This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's a lot more real (to me).
And I love the cover of Daniel Johnston's Worried Shoes.
So, while we wait in New Zealand for the movie to be released we have the soundtrack album to enjoy.
If you'd like to read another blog about the soundtrack album (Katy's early thoughts on the CD) click here.
Universal has very kindly offered me three copies of the soundtrack album to give away. Hands up who would like one?
Okay, that's not going to work. So here we go...
Name my favourite Daniel Johnston song? (It's not Worried Shoes, by the way)
Name my favourite book by Dave Eggers?
Name my favourite music video by Spike Jonze?
You can pick ONE of those questions and have a go at answering. The first person to correctly guess the answer will win a copy of the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack CD.
Remember only one answer per person. Apart from that, go wild...first three in win the prizes.
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Name my favourite music video by Spike Jonze?
Buddy Holly - Weezer .... ?
Favourite Dave Eggers Book? - What is the What - an autobiography of Valentino Achak Deng. It is my favourite anyway - everyone should read it. I am a big fan of Where the Wild Things Are - but the promo looks like the vibe of the movie is a bit depressing, rather than the imaginative fun of the book. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius? His novels are all a bit average, AHWOSG stands up to repeated reading better.
I'm going to guess your fav book is... You Shall Know Our Velocity. Coz I can :)
Is your favourite work Zeitoun?
Hmm-I beleive your favourite Dave Eggers book would have to be A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. It's kinda depressing like the movie appears to be. Can't wait to see it!
Favourite Spike Jonze vid...Daft Punk - Da Funk?
Is your favourite Daniel Johnston song "Story of an Artist"?
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