Customer Reviews

Bandits: Motion Picture Soundtrack

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

 

 

The soundtrack to Bandits offered a surprising contrast to the film. I loved the movie and the music fit very well into it (thanks to top-notch editing and Katja von Garnier's cinematic brilliance), but though I found the music in the context of the movie to be perfectly fitting, I didn't think it would make for much of a pure audio experience. I was wrong. And the tone of the soundtrack album, stripped of the movie's delicate sense of impending danger, changed drastically, including the sound of Jasmin Tabatabai's voice.

The album dispels the illusion created by the film that Bandits Nicolette Krebitz, Katja Riemann and Jutta Hoffmann played the instruments. So it is essentially Tabatabai's show. Most of the songs are her own compositions and feature her lead vocal work (though Krebitz and Riemann also wrote and sang), and she's the only Bandit whose instrumental work (guitar) was truly on the songs. And Tabatabai's voice and persona comes off much different on the album, without her fiery stage antics as seen in the film. She is much quieter, often coming off as more a confessional singer-songwriter mode, or Susanna Hoffs (Bangles) with more brains. Her "Puppet" is the unofficial anthem of the Bandits, here appearing in several different versions, all catchy and a good solid listen. Tabatabai's overly laid-back vocal doesn't quite work on "All along the Watchtower" without the visual energy to back it up (though the arrangement is good), and "Another Sad Song" is a pretty, low-key song. Krebitz' "Crystal Cowboy" doesn't work as pure music even though it was perfect in the quirky seduction scene in the movie, but when she and Riemann join Tabatabai in the punked-up version of the traditional tune "Wenn ich ein Voeglein Waer" ("If I Were a Little Bird"), it's infectious riot-grrl punk with a German twist.

You'd enjoy this album more if you also enjoyed the movie. With the context of the movie in mind, you can fully explore the complex dimensions in the soundtrack-film relationship here. But in many ways, this soundtrack still holds its own. Fans of Throwing Muses, Belly, Tanya Donelly or Veruca Salt will probably take an easy liking to this unusual soundtrack, on a purely aural level.

this is by far one of the best soundtracks ever. it does more then just add music to the film, it has a life of its own, and a very beautiful life at that. the lyrics, the music, the vocals, they all fit perfectly. my only complant is that it's only a soundtrack and i may not hear anything else from the bandits. i would encourage any and everyone to go out and get this cd it will be a wonderful addition to your collection. and to listen to track 16 first (my favorite)

Love this soundtrack, especially since the songs are all performed by the actors in the film! not just another "chick flick" The movie is awesome

The movie soundtrack is just great. It is hard to find good actors that can sing and perform at the same time. All songs show great writing and composing talent by Tabatabai. I just can not stop listening to them.I am sure you'll enjoy the CD better if you actually watch the movie. The movie starts with the best song "Puppet" and ends with "Catch Me" which fits the end perfectly. The movie is showing twice in december '00 on The Movie Channel(TMC2). I was so lucky to be in Munich in 97 and happened to go see the movie. The next day i got the soundtrack. Good job girls.

...too bad they aren't a real band working on a sophomore cd! after seeing the movie i immediately bought the cd. theres nothing like it. whats cool is the chicks in the movie are also musicians, and they wrote, sang, and played the music, they werent playing someonee elses music or lipsynching. this cd is awesome, you wont be able to put it down. if you like chick rock, or any rock, or anything! you will like this.

Saw the movie and immediately bought the CD. Along with their wonderful performance in the movie, the actresses are most excellent singer/song writers. Buy this CD and go see the movie!

After having read Derek Mok's thorough review of the soundtrack, which is great, I felt the need to add one important bit of information. "Catch Me" was originally released as "Hobart Paving" by the group St. Etienne on their album "So Tough", which is very hard to find. The girls from "Bandits" do a lovely cover, but it isn't an original song from the film. The greatest disappointment to me about the whole soundtrack, however, is that they don't sing more songs auf Deutsch. It is a rather good buy for any fan of girl groups or of the film "Bandits."

It's the best film i've ever seen, i watched it with tears. And it made a great influence on me - i realized things like the real freedom is only when you've got nothing to loose. I even got theese feelings when i saw a short TV report about "Bandits". I saw picture about two years ago on television, and then i immediatly start searching for a videocassette and soundtrack, but you know - it's very hard to find "special" movies like this in our country :) Only now i've got an opportunity to hear soundtrack. Someone here asked about a similar picture - i think "knockin' on the heaven's door" is it. It also deals with freedom, fun and death. And it's also from Germany as far as i know...

Undoubtably the best rendition of "Watchtower" since Hendrix. I been a fan of Hedrix for over 30 years and I never thought anybody could do better. But they have! I hope this isn't their only album. I wish I could speak German half as good as they sing in English. Very talented people!

The movie way exceeded my expectations of it...it moved me so much the second it was over I dashed to the mall to buy the cd.. and no one at the record store even heard of the bandits =( So I rushed back home and ordered it right away.. absolutely beautiful music.. very talented.