Customer Reviews

I Heart Huckabees (Score)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Those who have enjoyed Jon Brion's previous work will find plenty to like about this one. It is particularly nice to hear some more of his songs. (Buy "Meaningless" if you get a chance.) Though he sounds nothing like him, Jon Brion is quickly becoming his generation's Henry Mancini with his ability to expertly score films and also write top quality pop songs. Like his recent score for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," the instrumental pieces on this album are expert miniatures that say a lot without taking much time to do so. Anyone who has heard Jon Brion's early demos from the pre-Aimee Mann days (I first heard them in 1990!) will recognize this approach as something he's been developing for many years.

Jon Brions music is, in a word,... enchanting.
That word best sums up his unique genius.

"I Heart Huckabees" is a delightful contrast of the philosophies of Nietzsche vs. Schopenhauer. And Jon Brions wonderful sense of melody perfectly compliments the personatities of Dustin Hoffman, Lily Tomlin and company.. again the music is simply enchanting.

The main song "Knock Yourself Out" (though only heard in full at the very end of the credits) is a perfect blend of odd yet beautiful chord changes with a melody line that holds it together like invisible glue.. it is as pure and honest as songs come (both musically and lyrically).

Not knowing ANYTHING about the movie I went to the official "Huckabees" website and watched the trailor where I immediately fell in love with the music and the general feeling of the story. I've since seen the movie and it confirmed every initial impression I had of the preview.. I think it's destined to become a cult classic.

Who is this Jon Brion fellow and where has he been hiding? I've really GOT to get out more.

Mozart said of Beethoven "This one will go somewhere"... I can imagine Paul McCartney saying the same for Jon Brion.

I like both the movie and the sountrack! Jon Brion is a genius who has produced artists with unique sounds. This album has definitely got different melodies to it.

I somehow prefer the instrumental ones rather than Brion's own vocals (except "Knock Yourself Out"; I'm really hooked to that song). The instrumental ones really reflect on what the movie is about; quite whimsical that is happy but also mind-boggling at the same time.

I highly recommend this CD...you can just listen to it as one of those background musics when you're working or driving.

It's an awsome C.D. It's deep, it's fun, it just puts you in a better mood.. like the movie.. jon brion is a genius.. especially since this is like one of many great cd's. (Fiona apple, eternal sunshine)..

Jon Brion is reaping the success of two great scores in 2004: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "I Heart Huckabees". Not having seen the second of the movies, I can only expand on its music. With this score Brion has only confirmed his genius. The score of "I Heart Huckabees" stands firmly by itself and promises to become a classic among albums of the genre. When I listen to it, I can't help to think of The Beatles, since their influences on Brion's work are hard to disimulate, but beyond it, I think if Lennon were alive, his sound may not be too far from Brion's... That's how good this album is.

Jon Brion really captured the whole feeling of the movie and the subject matter with the songs and compositions he wrote. The music pairs perfectly with the movie because the melodies aren't upbeat but they aren't dark - like the movie witch goes through bad and good emotions. The soundtrack is mainly compositions and not songs with lyrics and it is entirely written by Jon Brion.

Jon Brion does such a great job capturing emotion with great music. hes also so damn great and fitting sound witht the mood of a movie. if you liked this movie, by all means, buy the soundtrack. you will not be dissapointed. Eevery time it listen it not only reminds me of the amazing movie, it makes me feel.. just.. good.
Also, be sure to pick up his solo record, Meaningless.

IF YOU LIKED THE MOVIE, BUY THIS CD, YOU WONT REGRET IT!

If you know your stuff you hear all kinds of influences in this CD. The Beatles particularly Rubber Soul period come to mind. All this music is simply wonderful. Lots of melody (thank good it's making a comeback)and intelligent changes. A great mix and smartly intertwined motifs reamerge here and there among the original stand alone tunes. Jon Brion is brillant. I recommend this CD to anyone with taste.

This was a fantastic film accompanied by a very heartfelt score. The music accentuated the images, while the images accentuated the music. The two went together perfectly. Therefore, it must be concluded that apart they may not have the same effect, and that is what I found here. While I would be the first to stand up and agree that Jon Brion is an amazing musical artist, it just didn't seem to mesh well in a less philosophical world driving my comfortable mid-size sedan. The score seemed out of place and tangent. While the music was playing, I continually wished that I was sitting in the theater or in front of my television watching the actors accompany this music. I think that is what really influenced me to purchase this album. The actors, coupled with the score, really made a beautiful film. Alone, I may not think the same.

It is Brion's spoken words on this album that I loved the most. While his music seemed very heart-felt and personal, it was his lyrics that kept this CD in my player. I am a huge fan of soundtrack scores, but that is normally when I hate the film and find myself focusing directly on the music instead of what is happening on screen. In the case of the film "I Heart Huckabees", I was so in tune with the music, the language of the film, and the characters that all of them coupled together made it such a memorable and personable experience for myself. The music alone just doesn't recreate it. When I listen to Brion's score I continually think back to the film, the language and the structure and wish that they were all pulled back together. This music accompanies that visuals better than playing it alone. I would suggest getting the film and turning off the television so you can hear the music and the words go together instead of getting this album.

Overall, it is not a bad buy it just didn't work for me. I wanted more of Brion's lyrics and less of his musical whimsy. I loved what his score did to the film, but standing alone just felt strange. I needed visuals and actors to accompany his work. I needed him to ask himself, "When am I not myself".

Grade: *** out of *****

I bought this soundtrack ear-unheard - in other words, my local theatre never showed the film. I fell in love with the music when I entered the Foxlight website - "Strange Bath" - I believe it is called. Then, a saw an re-reun October interview with Tomlin and Hoffman and thought the scenes looked hilarious. The music is very soothing. I can't call it ambient, maybe a bit New-Age. Now, I detect some undertones of the Beatles here and I think that was the goal - very Mod, very Hip, I'm already signed up to buy the DVD. Overall, this was a pleasant surprise.