Drive (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Various artists | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: September 6, 2011
• Label: Lakeshore Records
• Copyright: 2011 Lakeshore Records
• Total Length: 1:10:19
• Genres:
  • Soundtracks
• ASIN: B005GSY23M
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)
  • #20 in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums > Soundtracks

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

167 of 171 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rare Example Of Electronic Tones Working To Perfection With The Cinematography. Martinez Delivers A Masterful Score September 19, 2011

By Kaya Savas VINE™ VOICE

Format:MP3 Music

Drive is an experience to be had. I waited to see the film before I reviewed the score because I felt like I needed to experience the sound and image of this film together. I'm glad I did. The effect of the score may be lost upon an unreferenced listen, but let me tell you that Cliff Martinez has done something quite amazing here. Drive is a pure adrenaline rush of a film. Nicolas Winding Refn has crafted a supreme thriller. The music of the film is the most important bonding element of this violent and suspenseful tale. The film is filled with stunning imagery and long duration takes. It also features a seamless soundscape between score and song.

Drive has a vintage feel. It feels as if it were made in the 70's but remodeled for modern day. Very much like a beautifully restored vintage car. The character of the driver feels as if he was plucked right out from a spaghetti western. He barely speaks and dons a jacket with a scorpion on the back (very much like El Mariachi's jacket in Desperado). The song choices will be the first thing that the audiences will pay attention to. The songs selected fit the same thematic feel of the movie. They sound like they are 80's hits but are all modern songs with a vivid techno pulse. Cliff Martinez then crafts his stunning score around this universe. The music lacks any graspable structure and is a sonic wash of electronic tones. The way it works in the film is absolutely stunning. I can only describe the music as colorful. There was a point in the film where Ryan Gosling was driving and the sequence was just him driving at night. The shot composition was tight with shallow focus so all you saw was blurs of colors. At that point I felt a rush as the music took over and all you heard were these tones of the night.... Cool and crisp, I was able to close my eyes for just a few seconds and see distinct colors as the tones shifted. Martinez also plays the emotions heavy with the relationship between the driver, Irene and Benicio. The score crafts an incredible bubbling tension as well. The way it works with the editing of certain scenes is amazing. Refn is also unafraid to let silence play. A lot of times you will have pockets of pure silence that are broken with a startling sound. The sound design is impeccable and Martinez knows when music is not needed at all. All in all this is a masterful, bold and unique experience.

Drive is a rare example of electronic tones working to perfection with the colors and shot composition of the film. This is as tense as it gets; the score and songs MUST be experienced with the film. Do yourself a favor and see the movie before attempting this listen as it will make it the full experience. Cliff Martinez has done so much with so little here and has composed one of the best scores of the year. This is as untraditional as it gets, but it's oh so good. Damn good. Read more ›

79 of 83 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect soundtrack to a great movie September 17, 2011

By Hayes Johnson

Format:MP3 Music

After seeing Drive I walked out of the movie theater knowing I had to have the soundtrack, which doesn't happen very often. Drive feels like a modern take on the action thrillers of the late 70's and 80's, and the soundtrack only matches that theme. With a retro synth sound not only does it fit the movie perfectly, it also stands well on its own. This soundtrack will definitely help the late night drives home from work feel a little more exciting.

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars PERFECTION! September 18, 2011

By S. Blair

Format:MP3 Music

I also knew I had to have the soundtrack halfway into the movie :) It's perfection and the film/music reminded me a lot of the coolness in Heat, True Romance and The Professional. LOVE THIS FILM!

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you like this soundtrack there is much more to be found. October 1, 2011

By DieYoung

Format:MP3 Music

The soundtrack is always important in establishing the overall atmosphere and tone for a film, but this goes double for Drive. Without this soundtrack it would have been an entirely different film in my opinion. But this is a review for the soundtrack not the movie, so go see it if you haven't already, it's amazing.

If you're like a lot of people now days and have a little nostalgia for the 80's, or if you like good electro and synthpop in general, this album is perfect for you. However, with only 5 actual songs before Cliff Martinez's score kicks in, I was left wanting more. Once I started researching the artists to see if they had any full-length albums of their own, I opened up a pandora's box full of equally amazing artists with the same vision and style.

All the artists on this soundtrack belong to a French collective called Valerie. They are largely unknown in the U.S. for reasons completely lost on me. Perhaps this movie will garner them the attention they deserve. While many artists today make modern music influenced by 80's synth, these guys actually seem to recreate it. They're more 80's than the 80's. Everything from the music to the album art is dripping with it. Check out Anoraak, Minitel Rose, Miami Horror, Futurecop!, The Outrunners, and Tesla Boy in addition to the artists on this album. Or check out Valerie's compilation album "Valerie and Friends" here on Amazon. You won't be disappointed.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Missing Song October 2, 2011

By Daniel J. Sanchez

Format:MP3 Music

Ok so the title was to get anyone's attention who is looking for, in my opinion, the keystone song of the soundtrack.
It's Brian Eno's "An Ending (Ascent)" off the album Apollo:
Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks
I would want to know that before I bought this album. This is a very solid soundtrack though.
I know - buy both albums and you'll be doubly happy!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Energizing, emotional ... excellent September 24, 2011

By Happy

Format:MP3 Music

When I owned a record store back in the '90s, I had a couple customers who bought absolutely nothing but soundtracks. And not interesting soundtracks, either. We're talking the soundtrack to "Weekend at Bernie's II.

But had this soundtrack been available then, I wouldn't have been so baffled. It's not only the best soundtrack I've heard since "The Doom Generation," but it's also one of my top 10 albums for 2011.

Others have done a wonderful job of analyzing how deftly the director of drive incorporated music into the movie. I'll simply add that as lacomic as the characters are verbally, relying on expressions and body language to convey so much meaning, the soundtrack is asked to take on a heady roll of its own. It's the Robin to the main character's batman.

And the singles from this album, the first five songs -- the first three in particular -- are exquisite, touching and at times danceable.

I saw this movie four tmes opening week, and the soundtrack was one thing that kept me coming back.