Fargo (1996 Film)/Barton Fink (1991 Film) [Soundtrack]

Carter Burwell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 28, 1996)
• Original Release Date: March 8, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Tvt
• ASIN: B000000GTE
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,198 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #25 in Music > Indie Music > Soundtracks > Movie Soundtracks
  • #52 in Music > Indie Music > Soundtracks > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

This disc combines two of Carter Burwell's best soundtrack efforts for the Coen brothers, Fargo and Barton Fink. It's a study of contrasts: Fargo is filled with somber string arrangements and a full orchestra playing in minor keys. Barton Fink, meanwhile, sounds more adventurous with offbeat instrumentation (a very gamelan-sounding keyboard prevails) and a simple score that Burwell recycles into different arrangements. Fargo, especially, sounds dark and reserved--"The Ozone" and "Chewing on It" are both underlined by melancholy--while Barton Fink is just as lyrical but more mysterious. Many of these tracks are short--the two soundtracks together add up to less than 45 minutes of music--but all are poignant, and some of Burwell's best. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chilling.............., October 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Fargo (1996 Film)/Barton Fink (1991 Film) (Audio CD)

I saw Fargo in the theater and was immmediately struck by the music that perfectly accompanied the film. The opening track I don't think I will ever forget. Plus "Ozone" is a fantastic song, I just wish it was longer. The Barton Fink material isn't as great, but also isn't as prevelent on the disc. I love listening to this while doing homework or just writing. The music sets the tone and the atmosphere.....the album just cannot be played in the summer.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Slim Pickins', January 10, 2008

By 

W. Phinizy (Fountain Valley, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fargo (1996 Film)/Barton Fink (1991 Film) (Audio CD)

To be perfectly clear on this point, the music is superb; evocative of the desolate and haunting Winter wastes of the Northern Midwest and the despair that accompanies the somber crimes depicted the Coen's film. (I can still hear Frances McDormand's sparse soliloquy to the unresponsive Peter Stormare about what a tragic waste the killings were; the main theme playing in the background.)

My objection is that, I was expecting a smorgasbord and ended up with some skimpy appetizers. Many of the cuts (at least six) are under a minute long -- barely more than a musical "sting" -- and those that are longer are either a minute or two. Additionally, a number of these are derivatives of the original melodies.

So, load up before you come to this party; the pickins are pretty slim.

..oh, yeah, Barton Fink's tacked on too.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Incomplete and no credit given, December 27, 2007

By 

Leopold Bloom (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fargo (1996 Film)/Barton Fink (1991 Film) (Audio CD)

Not a complete soundtrack, the Country/Western song at the beginning when William H. Macy first meets Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare in the bar, and the Jose Feliciano number, are inexplicably omitted. Apparently, any music that could not be credited to Carter Burwell had no place here. The chilling opening sequence was not "inspired by" or "based on," but lifted, note for note, from the traditional Norwegian hardanger fiddle tune "The Lost Sheep." The original may be heard on Annbjorg Lien's "Felefeber" (Shanachie).