The Shortest And Best Film Soundtrack This Summer Had To Offer.

Like most summer films, soundtracks can create memories for people in which they never anticipated. They are compilations people don't expect until they see the film. These days, soundtracks are compilations of songs that we have heard over and over again, and usually just pick one song and leave the rest. Soundtracks are albums too! One that is great as a whole was Fantastic Mr. Fox. This was composed of early rock n'roll songs (i.e. Rolling Stones, Bobby Fuller Four) and a playful score led by Alexandre Desplat. A perfect soundtrack for the atmosphere of the film. Soundtracks become projects for other artists to contribute to. Last summer, Beck added to Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World by playing punk n' roll songs to Sex Bob-omb's set list. Most soundtracks just add an artists' different side of music but, also put new independent bands on the soundtrack.






One soundtrack that truly stands out is for Submarine. Did you hear about this movie? I can guarantee you it isn't a film by Michael Bay or have a military thriller plot (Oh, wait. Same thing). Subamrine is an independent film from England about a teenager's journey trying to lose his virginity and save his parents' marriage. This is director Richard Ayoade's debut.






It received rave reviews from various film festivals from around the world, but hasn't received a release date in America yet. Most likely, the film will appear at independent theaters with a limited engagements. With only six songs, the music creates a mood that fits the trailer. I've been eager to see this film all summer, but actually may never see it in the theaters (Probably on DVD in the end). However, listening to the album, scenes appear in my imagination as though I have seen it. Pretty powerful for a soundtrack to a film I haven't seen yet.






Arctic Monkeys' front man, Alex Turner, has done a few side projects (i.e. The Last Shadow Puppets, solo) that has made an impact on my life since I first heard their debut album, WHATEVER PEOPLE SAY I AM, THAT'S WHAT I'M NOT . Turner can precisely write what is on his mind through a catchy guitar riff and witty lyrics. However, for Submarine, he manages to give six perfect songs about joy, questioning, and pains of love in under twenty minutes. Although the music is much slower and romantic then what Arctic Monkeys are usually recording (i.e. Suck It And See), it clearly shows that an artist can have a creative outlet through scenes of a film. "Glass In The Park" and "Stuck On The Puzzle" both show the precise accounts of what the contrasts of what a relationship are. "Glass" shows the blossom of a relationship and the quirks we all have when we meet someone who changes are perceptions of happiness. On the other hand, "Stuck On" is the opposite of trying to decipher what we were following the whole time. Even for regular albums, an entire film can be played through your head when the right song is played.

Nevermind...What I never understood until now.

It's never too late to discover a piece of art that has been around for 20 years. Sometimes it takes time for a piece of art to make sense at the right moment. Recently, Spin Magazine unveiled their new issue which focused on the 20th anniversary of Nirvana's debut major label album, Nevermind, and explained the massive influence of how it effected culture, other artists, and what it meant to have a heavier message across the airwaves. When this album came out, I was six years old and had no idea what feelings and issues were being discussed by Kurt Cobain. All I remember was watching the video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on MTV. This early impression that was created, was that all things in life are meant to be black and white. As young as I was, I watched these images of a grimy high school rally, a weathered janitor and an angry, young man with a guitar screaming about something. Didn't know what it was but it grabbed my attention nonetheless.


Over the years, I grew into loving and appreciating music. I always passed on Nirvana. Heavy radio play would repeat the most popular songs and beating them into the ground. The alternative of independent record compilations to seek new groups had me constantly searching for different genres and emotions. For over 14 years, I passed on Nirvana and the entire grunge scene as being an outdated type of music and mainly stuck with punk and ska. I wouldn't allow myself to go outside (my box) of music. If I stuck with punk, it would be punk for months; if it was ska, it was ska for months. I had a strict mindset and would only focus on bands people didn't know about. I even did this to The Beatles for a while. It wasn't until later, that I started getting heavier into indie and alternative rock. I started to dive into bands that created landmark albums(i.e. Pixies, The Smiths and Oasis). I knew about these groups from their influence of the newer bands(i.e.Cut Off Your Hands, Death Cab For Cutie, TDCC). I commenced buying used albums from these older bands. I missed what was popular in my adolescence, and decided to start listening to what was mainstream.

Last week at my local record shop, I came across Nevermind and realized I never gave this album a chance. It felt weird. I'm not going to lie. For a band who mixed metal and punk, attitude and sound qualities, they influenced about every indie rock band out today. I've heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" countless times on the radio, TV, and even in markets, but not like the time I first heard it in my car. There's something mysterious about listening to an album intimately for the first time, because the moment Cobain's signature riff came through and Dave Grohl's drums burst in, it was an entirely new experience. Goosebumps appeared on my arms and I found myself screaming along the chorus harder and louder every time it came on.


Track after track, I listened to what Kurt, Dave and Krist had to say during 1991, and realized I had been missing out on an amazing album. There will always be new music surfacing online or in the nearest venue, but nothing like this will ever be replicated. Maybe in the near future I'm going to indulge in what I missed out on. Don't take for granted what is popular. I used to be narrow minded in a way that didn't allow me see how important certain pieces of art were. However, like wine and time, let yourself be open about what is in front of you and take it for what it is. Who knows, maybe I'll find some genius, groundbreaking message in Limp Bizkit's new album,Gold Cobra.





We'll see about that one.