Music to my ears, eyes and soul!
- gary3352
- Jan 5, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 29, 2024
For me, sound on the screen is well over half the viewing experience. It creates bigger subjective responses in me than the cinematography alone. While the visuals do their thing and take most of the credit, I think it's the audio that creates a greater psychological impact - but without wanting to take centre stage.
Specifically though, it's the music, the soundtrack, that can make or break the storytelling. I'm a real fan for the director that gives the soundtrack in their production a lead role, not simply a walk-on part.
Sometimes, the soundtrack idea is there right from the conceptual stage, used to direct the rhythm and mood of the shoot itself, like most of Tarrentino's output; Other times, it's a happy editorial accident - like Kubrick, abscent mindedly listening to Strauss while cutting 2001AD, A Space Odyssey, and thinking 'Hang on....it's like the space ships are dancing!'
From a marketing point of view, I seem to remember that soundtrack releases in the 80's were much more prominant in the overall movie experience, and made to last long after the film viewing itself. I think that I enjoyed several soundtracks well before I saw the film - especially those with a 15 and 18 rating!
The brilliant thing today is how easily we can revist the sound of both big and small screen. Now it's all on Spotify and even YouTube. No official album release or playlist? No problem, someone out there has probably carefully gone through and curated their own compilation to share with all.
So here's four to get you started.:
Just started watching Winning Time, Rise of The Lakers Dynasty - awesome funk soundtrack that perfectly brings a specific moment in history to life with great music from the era. Totally immersive and authentically keeps you historically right there:
One of the greatest, under-rated series is The Leftovers. An ridiculously eclectic mix of music drawing on all genres and styles across three seasons. Every track unique, with no musical or meaningful connection to the next, but yet, perfect for the storytelling:
And you can never go wrong with Herrmann - here's the beautiful Vertigo soundtrack. He has such an incredible ability to create vivid visuals that tell a narrative through music:
Lastly, just to try give me some street cred, here's Top Boy. Wagwan!
Usually, you don't notice 'good' audio - it's there to support the visual storytelling. But the sign of 'great' audio is when you can relive the work through the soundtrack alone - every tone taking you on that narrative journey again; every note stirring that same emotion.
A soundtrack of amazing tunes will take you further than the film did, for longer - listen to it while you walk, work or even wander round the supermarket and put you at the centre of your very own blockbuster biopic!
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