Crash [SOUNDTRACK]

Stereophonics, Mark Isham, Bird York

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 7, 2005)
• Original Release Date: May 6, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Superb Records
• ASIN: B0009F79NM
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,618 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #50 in	Music > Pop > Britpop
  #81 in	Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative

Editorial Reviews

From the Artist
As a composer of music for film, I have had the opportunity to score a wide variety of films from the sweeping studio epic to the intimate independent drama and they all have presented unique challenges. I have found over the years however, that the more money that is tied up in a film, the more requests there are for the composer to make safer choices and for the composer to present the more predictable options to the filmmakers. Thus my continuing interest in working in the world of independent filmmaking.

When I read Paul’s script for "Crash", I was immediately inspired to write for this film. The intricate plot, so masterfully woven around the wonderfully drawn characters, demanded a uniquely beautiful score. And in this case, this complete lack of financial resources, with which one could have resorted to the "tried and true" formulas of "successful film scoring", turned out to be a huge blessing.

Many composers start off their careers in "the bedroom" so to speak; in a small room, with their cherished equipment, building their music piece by piece, single handedly. For this score I returned to "the bedroom" and forced myself to find new and refreshing solutions to the challenge of writing this music. I am very proud of this score and sincerely hope that you, the audience, find it as engaging to listen to as I did to compose, and that through this album you can appreciate the beauty of this wonderfully crafted film.

-- Mark Isham

Product Description
Mark Isham's highly emotional score for the film CRASH will move you in ways you never expected. Beautiful cinematic passages collide with ethnic voices evoking the powerful imagery of the film. The album is complimented by the original song "In the Deep" by Bird York and "Maybe Tomorrow" by Stereophonics.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, moving, and truly beautiful musical experience, August 3, 2005

By	J. Manges (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This movie truly moved me when I saw it earlier this year and I remember walking out of the theatre remarking to my friend how I could feel the music that accompanied it and how I was going to buy the soundtrack when it came out. I purchased the soundtrack and have been listening to it almost non-stop - it is beautiful, provocative, and moves you. Mark Isham did an amazing job finding the right type of music to accompany such a powerful movie - and also set the music apart - to stand on its own. My favorite tracks are "No Such Things as Monsters", "Crash", and "In The Deep." Wonderful music - wonderful movie.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The music makes the movie, June 2, 2006

By	Richard Stoehr "Idle Rich" (Bremerton, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There's a particular scene in the movie "Crash" that literally left me breathless when I first saw it. On this soundtrack, it is the scene that goes with track 10, called "A Really Good Cloak." Those who have seen the film probably already know which scene I'm talking about. In listening to Mark Isham's score by itself, months after haveing seen the film, I ran across that track again and found that it had the same effect on me. Just listening to the music, I became short of breath, I got chills down my spine, and at one particular point, I felt the sting of tears first welling in my eyes, then spilling down my cheeks. I was seeing that scene from the film again, as clearly as if I were watching it all over, and feeling the same thing as before. All because I was listening to this beautiful, haunting music.

After I gathered myself a little, I tried to imagine that same scene with different music, or even with no music at all. While I'm sure it would have still been a powerful moment in the film, I don't think it could have ever been so affecting, so purely poignant, as it was with that particular piece. Clearly, Isham crafted that piece meticulously for that scene, with just the right mix of wonder, awe, and beauty to bring the viewer (and listener) right to the point where I was. Quite frankly, anyone that can listen to that piece and not have it affect them at all...well, they're made of sterner stuff than I.

The thing is, the whole CD is sort of like that. The music is excellent on its own. It is ethereally beautiful in a way that we rarely hear anymore. Vocals float up out of sweeping electronic harmonies, singing words I don't comprehend but can nevertheless feel and glean meaning from. Strange, slow rhythms counterpoint with dark ambience to create rich and complex moods. Truly, just in terms of composition, this is heady stuff.

But when it comes down to it, this is still music composed for a film, and in this case, it is the music that made the film such a good one. The same film with different music simply would not have been as powerful or as affecting as it was with Isham's score. The music is married to the film and to the story it tells, and like any good marriage it manages to elevate the film to something higher than it might otherwise have been.

What Mark Isham did with the music for "Crash" is nothing short of remarkable. He has created music which can evoke moods and feelings all on its own, but once brought together with the visual medium of film, it suddenly takes on more depth and meaning, while adding depth and meaning to the film as well.

The music was made because of the movie... but in the end, it was the music the made the movie as good as it is.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL!!, June 12, 2005

By	Vic G "VIC" - See all my reviews

The best score of the year! Mark Isham who composed the music did a wonderful job narrating the multiple storylines through a beautifully crafted score. He captured every emotion by creating a mood that extended the characters depth. I was very moved by the film and the score puts me right back in that moment. In this day of big budget movies and scores it is refreshing to hear music that actually heightens the movie experience. This CD also features the song "In The Deep" by Bird York (the great piece that plays over the final montage) along with one of my favorite all-time songs "Maybe Tomorrow" by Stereophonics. If you liked the film you will LOVE this CD. FYI, There is also an "inspired by" album that is as equally moving. WOW - they got it right twice! Nice one.