Customer Reviews

Grosse Pointe Blank (Volume 2) (1997 Film)

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thoroughly enjoyed Cusack's brainchild Grosse Pointe Blank when I saw it in the theater around April of '97. I thought the music in the film was a great, eclectic mix of the mid-80s, but was disappointed with the (single) soundtrack disc that appeared around the same time since it didn't even contain half of the music from the film. Where was Take On Me? Where was White Lines? Dominatrix? Or the great Joe Strummer score? Lo and behold, my prayers (and the prayers of many other fans of the film I'm sure) were answered that fall when this little gem appeared.

While I think the film warranted a double-disc set with more music on each disc (they could have maxed out the length of the discs) I'll take this. And the 2 different discs definitely have their own flavors. I prefer the green disc as it mixes some good gothy rock (Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Pogues), ska (The Specials) and then some fun faves (A-Ha, Grandmaster Flash). One complaint: while it's great to have a track of the Joe Strummer score (the pulsing War Cry) it would have been nice to hear the entire score on disc, as it was a nice element to the film. Ah, who knows, maybe they'll put out a disc 3.

Nevertheless, this is a fine, fine disc.

Well, I must say; when I was in Tower Records making my decision on whether to buy the soundtrack to PCU or Grosse Pointe Blank, I was torn. After about 20 minutes I decided on GPB. I couldn't be happier. One of the greatest things about the film was its wide variety of music. My personal favorites are "Blister in the Sun", "Rudie Can't Fail", "Under Pressure", "I Can See Clearly Now"(which was a perfect choice for the opening credits), and " Let My Love Open the Door." The cd is a must-have. You will not be dissapointed!

leave it to john cusack to ask joe strummer(of the clash)to score the film and pick the songs for the soundtrack/movie.joe strummer hasn't done much since leaving the clash(a few soundtracks/movie roles/out of print solo album and a stint as the pouges front man)but this was one of the things that brought joe back into the music scene.with 80's classics(including two clash songs-amageddin time/rudie can't fail)i say joe did a good job.the only thing missing is joe's film score that played through out the movie.also check out vol. 2 of the soundtrack that features some more 70's 80's bands and a rare joe strummer song,war cry.oh by the way 1 of the reasons cusack had strummer do the soundtrack is because john is a HUGE clash fan(as am i)and has worn clash shirts in a few of his movies.also if your a clash fan check out the new solo album by joe strummer and the mescaleros(rock art and the x-ray style-nov 2nd)the new clash live album(from here to eternity-oct.19th)and the new documentary westwaytotheworld wich should be on vh-1 legends in the future.also check out all their albums(wich in feb.2000 will get remastered and re-released).-jason h.

This is a great CD. It is not quite as upbeat as the first, but there are some less mainstream choices here that rock. In particular "Lorca's Novena" and "War Cry". Plus "Let It Whip" which was pretty popular when it came out, but I had forgotten about its existance 'til I heard it in the movie. Between volume one and volume two you could probably make THE definative 'alternative' (hate that word) 80's CD. I've had this CD for close to a year and play it at least twice a week--it definately has staying power!

Whoa! I do really enjoy listening to this soundtrack CD and I think I liked the Guns and Roses song better than our friend from Hawaii. When I hear "Live and let Die", I recall the scene when John's character pulls up to what he believes to be his Mother's house (the house he grew up in). When I first saw that scene, I just about fell off the couch laughing. A perfect song for that look on his face. I too could have done without the plunky sounding "Blister in the Sun" revision; it gets old to have to skip it. I'm also thinking of picking up Vol. 2 Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack; I'd wondered where the other tracks went to; LOL. Worth the money in my book; It'll probably be playing on my old system when they pry the remote out of my scriveled old hand years from now.

My iniatial disappointments with this soundtrack had to do (mostly) with the songs that were missing. However, someone out there shared my complaint and a second volume was released. Now if we could just wrap up the remaining songs with a volume 3, I would be more than content. The thing is that there isn't an unenjoyable song IN this movie. Its all good. So, let's get on top of that third volume: 1)Fugue In A-Minor 2)Ace of Spades 3)In Between Days 4)Your Lucky Day In Hell 5)Sharks Can't Sleep 6)Little Luxuries 7)Big Boss Man 8)Detroit City 9)Walk Like An Egyptian 10)99 Luftbaloons 11)Doors of Your Heart; and let's throw the "elevator music" version of "Live and Let Die" and the original "Let My Love Open The Door" on for good measure.

No cheesy love ballads or songs "inspired" by the film here. The soundtrack to Grosse Pointe Blank is a nice collection of some great songs from the past. Check out classics such as "Rudie Can't Fail" by The Clash, "Mirror In The Bathroom" by the English Beat, and "Under Pressure" by David Bowie and Queen. There are many other fine selections here from the likes of The Specials, The Jam, and the Violent Femmes. The only slow spots seem to be the mediocre "Blister 2000" by the Violent Femmes, an odd reworking of "Blister In The Sun", and "Live And Let Die" by Guns N' Roses because I never liked Guns N' Roses that much. In the end though, I really enjoyed the soundtrack as much as the film.

Oh yeah, the version of "Blister In The Sun" (track #1) by the Violent Femmes on this soundtrack is not the original version from 1982 which appeared in the film. Instead, we are treated to a fine remake (I'm not talking about "Blister 2000"). Does anybody know why the original isn't here?

This is one of those rare instances where the soundtrack is actually BETTER than the movie. Don't get me wrong -- the movie was pretty good. But this CD transcends the film.

First of all, there is excellent song selection. Not only do the themes of these songs mirror the action in the movie (like "Pressure Drop" and "Let My Love Open The Door"), but they also represent a broad cross section of musical styles. I mean, how many albums can you think of that feature Guns N' Roses, the English Beat and Johnny Nash on the same record? That's pretty eclectic.

The songs themselves include some all-time classics. "Pressure Drop" is one of the best songs ever written, and this CD introduces The Specials to a whole new audience. (By the way, if you like modern ska like Mighty Mighty Bosstones or No Doubt, you MUST pick up some old Specials records to learn about the forefathers of ska.) The Clash's "Armagideon Time" is another underappreciated gem that fits the mood perfectly. I disagree with the inclusion of "We Care A Lot" and "Absolute Beginners," which is why I only gave it four stars. Nevertheless, this is a very fine addition to any music collection.

One final note: I like the fact that The Clash appears twice, given that Joe Strummer scored the film. That's a nice touch.

Don't let the Vol 2 tag fool you. If you love 80's music and weren't a slave to FM radio this is the one. Quite a bit more esoteric then "Vol 1" with some bona fide, hard to find, classics.

If you haven't seen Cusack's Grosse Pointe Blank, then shame on you, go now and find it! Everyone else who has will know how fantastic the soundtrack is, and especially how effectively it was used during the film.

With songs from the brilliant Johnny Nash 'I can see clearly now', The Clash, The Specials, The Jam, Violent Femmes and Guns N'Roses great version of 'Live & Let Die'; Of course for me the soundtrack is made, by the presence of the Queen/Bowie combination 'Under Pressure', which is one of the most outstanding songs I have ever known.

Having first purchased the Soundtrack Volume 2, by mistake, I was deeply disappointed as it only has a couple of the film's great songs, however it's not a patch on this original one, which I sure enough found. This soundtrack to the film is overwhelming, nothing else need to be said...