Customer Reviews

The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a truly exceptional score to a likewise exceptional film. It captures the mood of the film beautifully, which in fact is more like a Greek tragedy than a typical western. It's haunting, pulsating violins and keyboards are so stirringly beautiful that it has a truly visceral effect, and could be enough to move one to tears if one is so inclined. This might sound a bit overdramatic, but that's how much of an impression it made on me.

It seems that many soundtracks have a core theme, with a number of tracks being variations of that theme. This is one of those scores, but it was so good that almost all of the tracks stand up on their own. Out of the 14 tracks, I thought all but 4 to be fantastic, which for soundtracks, is quite significant I thought.

In conclusion, I will concede that I am no musical expert, but my ears and soul tell me that this is one of the most profoundly beautiful scores I've ever heard.

I must wag my tail on this one. The instrumentation of piano, violins, cello, violas, Celeste, triangle, Hohner guitaret, electric bass, and drum filled me with satisfaction. Put on your headphones, close your eyes, sip some wine, and allow the flickering of a candle in a darkened room dance across your eyelids as this music takes you to another time in space. I found the compositions to be dark and moody, rich, vibrate, soothing, and wonderfully disturbing. Music like this is hard to find. The arrangements and the orchestrations have a timeless quality about them. They're simple, yet complicated, much as I imagine Jesse James was. I highly recommend it.

The haunting heart pounding Nick Cave music will stay with you for some time. I initially saw the movie when it came out, and a few months later I was unable to forget the "Rather Lovely Thing" theme music. I had to get the music and I was not disappointed.

It was a beautiful movie with a beautiful soundtrack. But having the music fit so perfectly with the visuals I was worried I might be buying one of those soundtracks where it's one theme in several variations (The Piano or The Fountain)... Thankfully this is not the case!

While the whole album lacks a crescendo most soundtracks usually possess and the work is closer to a first movement of a classical concerto, it's elegance is flawless and emotional impact is amazing!

Nothing like Nick Cave's well known work (of which I am not a fan) I was pleasantly suprised. I am completely happy with my purchase. Although it is a shame about the price tag...I hope an american label pick it up so more can experience it.

Truly a fantastic album. I play the first three songs ("Rather Lovely Thing", "Moving On" and "Song for Jesse") constantly. Warren Ellis and Nick Cave are mad Australian geniuses.

Difficult to express how evocative it is - buy it.

Most people who know of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis know them only from their other bands: The Dirty Three, The Bad Seeds and/or Grinderman. Then there are those few who know them only from their fine recent work scoring movies who would likely be surprised to hear their more radical sides. Both men, but especially Cave, are musical polymaths who are forever stretching their talents to probe new frontiers. The soundtrack for The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford represents the serious sides of both Cave and Ellis and shows their fans what more they are capable of beyond their alternative goth rock foundations. The music on this CD has cross-generational appeal and establishes Cave and Ellis as men who will likely be called upon to score many future films.
I haven't yet seen the movie, so I don't know the contexts in which each song is featured in the film. But I can hear the desolate, somber strains of music calculated to induce a certain mood and to set a scene that the listener can envision in his mind's eye. And though I find it difficult to term any soundtrack a masterpiece due to their fragmented natures, this is one that comes awfully close.
If you enjoyed the Cave/Ellis soundtrack for The Proposition, you are certainly going to like this. If you are a Cave/Ellis fan of their other musical lives and have not yet heard one of their soundtracks, you are in for a rather shocking surprise. The buyer gets nearly 45 minutes of dark, atmospheric music and a very attractive booklet featuring essential data and scenes from the film. Don't miss this!

This stunningly realized score from Nick Cave is one of the most emotionally gripping music pieces I have listened to. The style is similar in atmosphere to "Adaggio for Strings" (The Music used in Platoon) the "Jesse James" score is more reflective though. The string arrangement mixed with light orchestration, piano, and sparse but effective percussion makes for a tremendously beautiful and cathartic experience. Be sure to listen to this on your biggest speakers.

Also, if you are trying to introduce someone to Orchestrated music, this is an excellent starter, sure to grip the first time listener with emotion. Seeing the movie is not necessary, as the instruments paint the images necessary to feel the full force of the story.

The movie was good, but score is even more entrancing.

As I was watching the outstanding movie "The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford", I was immediately struck by the music. There have been many good sountracks before, and I have bought my share of them, but this is probably my favorite, and it is certainly the most unique.

Somber and stirring, sometimes mournful, always powerful and moving. Every song is magnificent, some are even better. "Song for Bob", and "What Must be Done" are literally 2 of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.

Mature, satisfying, and beautiful music. Highly recommended.

I enjoy Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds albums but nothing on in his catalogue compares to the weight and reflective quality of this soundtrack.

Mainly consisting of Piano and strings, Cave and Warren Ellis have crafted one of the best soundtracks i've ever heard. I've listened to it 60+ times according to my Ipod and i'm still not sick of it. Compared to their previous soundtrack for The Proposition (a Western film also penned by Cave), this is 10 times better. This is saying a lot since that soundtrack was also great, despite being less emotive and more dissonant to listen to.

The album alone is worth the 6 minute closer Song for Bob but what makes it so great is the build it creates over it's 43 minutes. 'Rather Lovely Thing' sets the mood and there is enough variation early on with 'Moving On' and 'Song for Jesse' to keep you interested. 'Cowgirl' seems like the only out of place song on this soundtrack but even that's not by much, it's still great.

As the album progresses the songs build more and more (you can hear the strain on the instruments) until the aformentioned closer 'Song for Bob' closes the album on an emotive high.

This is an album i've found enhances reading, walking, working, riding the bus whatever etc. It's haunting/reflective and most of all a great change of scene. Highly recommended

While I'm not a huge fan of purchasing compressed audio files, the idea of waiting a week to receive an actual CD in the mail was too much for me. It's truly magic when a score is able to capture the mood of the characters (madness, love, anger, heartache), combine that with a well executed film and you find yourself memorized. Nor am I a fan of the "western" or "Civil War" genre and often feel lukewarm about Brad Pitt but I have to admit I've already watched this 2.5 hour film twice and have listened to the score multiple times the past few weeks. Enjoy!