Customer Reviews

The Insider: Music From The Motion Picture

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Michael Mann is known for the exquisite style in his films, and his soundtracks. Here is another great example, following the masterful soundtrack to "Heat," of Mann showing great style not only in film composition, but musical as well. The music here by Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke is brilliant, powerful, stylish and moving. The first track, "Tempest," casts it's hypnotic spell from the first note to the last. What we have here is a great use of talent with electronic music combined with orchestral. There is an intensity and suspense to the music apart from the film, which is also brilliant. "Safe From Harm" by Massive Attack is especially unique and effective. Every musical piece is done with care and brilliance. This is musical genius vibrating into life. The music here is both beautiful and dark, powerful with a certain edgyness and sadness. "The Insider" was a great movie, one of 1999's best and the one worthy of the Best Picture Oscar, and it's no wonder, considering it has this great music to back it up. I wasn't surprised at all when Gerrard and Bourke received a Golden Globe nomination for their great music here. And let's not forget the effective score contributions by Graeme Revell, especially the track "Polladino Montage." Michael Mann's work is all style and genius, both in film and soundtrack compilation. He knows what artists to get and what type of music to use. Great soundtrack, unforgettable music.

I think what makes a great score is if it coherently fits with the film, and if it can stand on its own as music without visuals. I truly hope that the score for "The Insider" gets some kind of recongnition because it is truly remarkable, haunting work. Seeing the film, I remembered how moving and captivating the music was. The highlights on this CD are the tracks written by Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke. Don't get me wrong, everything else is top-notch. "Sacrifice" is my favorite piece. The haunting key changes sung are deeply moving and unforgettable. The Massive Atttack song "Safe From Harm" and the rich, classic guitar strumming on "Iguazu" by Gustavo Santaolalla are great, too. It's a rare CD (and movie for that matter) that deserves all the great reviews, but people would brush it off. If you enjoy soundtracks, this is one that's a must on your collection.

I always liked what Michael Mann was TRYING to do with images and music, but always found him lacking in such fare as "Manhunter" (scoring the climax to 'In-A-Gadda-da-Vida', and such), and pairing 80s synth and cool tunes to images by Dante Spinotti promised so much. For my money, his intent and his manifestation have finally achieved balance in this wonderful film and its accompanying soundtrack. Rallying Lisa Gerard and Pieter Bourke was a smart stroke for a movie of stylish close-ups and internal dramas. "Sacrifice" is a highlight that recalls the best moments from Dead LPs like "Labyrinth" and "Aion". The Norwegian saxophonist Jan Garbarek contributes a typically cold and dreamy edit, and while I could've lived without the concession to pop tastes with Massive Attack, it's good pop, and meshes with the rest of the score rather well. Looking for another companion to the Blade Runner score for that rainy night when existence seems so unfathomable? This is it, babe.

In response to the previous reviewer (and anyone who has just discovered the gorgeous music of Lisa Gerrard...)

Definitely pick up Lisa and Pieter's previous release, Duality. It includes some of the same songs, like Sacrifice. If you like it, buy her other solo CD, The Mirror Pool. If you still need more, check out her work with Dead Can Dance - they have something like a dozen CDs out. Good DCD CDs to start with are Toward the Within, and A Passage in Time. Avoid Spiritchaser and their self-titled debut unless you are a die-hard DCD fan. The other half of DCD, Brendan Perry, also just released his first solo CD.

Gentle, beautiful sounds from a master composer and a vocalist from another world.

Upside of this disc is the unique combination of different types of songs and music that fit rather nicely.

Downside is much of this music is already available through other Lisa Gerrard collections.

If you are new to her sound, this is a great one to start with.

If you want to listen to music that can carry and transform your whole being, then go out and buy this soundtrack. I have been listening to Lisa Gerrard for over thirteen years. First with Dead Can Dance and then on her solo album, The Mirror Pool, and more recently her project with Pieter Bourke, Duality. Her voice is both transcendant and very grounding simultaneously. Her voice and music have assisted me during the many "dark nights of my soul." She sings in shapes and forms, "in a language that grows by itself", as Lisa says. I consider her work to be so important for everyone on our planet because it has the capability to open, transform and ultimately heal us from within. You are a Goddess, Lisa. Endless thanks and blessings for your work.

Park your kids in their beds, or perhaps at your in-laws. Turn the lights down a little. Turn up the volume. No, louder. Forget 'haunting' and other adjectives. This cd is about pure power: Evil vs. Good, Light vs. Darkness. Which side wins? Perhaps Evil on track 4, Light on tracks 8 & 12. Either way, you win when you by this cd.

I had never heard of Lisa Gerrard before I saw the Insider. The movie rocks. Its one of the best made films I have seen. But, the music beats it all. Its too good. It has some meloncholy tunes because the movie is talking about something serious. But, the tunes really touch you. Some of the music is really fast and still does not lose touch with what its trying to convey. The track by Massive Attack is great. I am really looking forward to buying the Gladiator soundtrack. The music is stylish to say the least. The composers have great taste.

Lisa Gerrard's music moves me in ways that no other singer/musician does. Being a DCD fan, I bought Mirror Pool & Duality the day they were released. (They are still my favories)
The Insider is a great movie. Some of the best work I have seen from Crowe & Pacino. Lisa captures the mood (much like she did with Gladiator) with her special unique voice & style.
Lisa's music has a powerful effect on me and makes me feel as if I am going through a re-birthing. The sadness & pain of letting go of the past coupled with the hope and anticipation of what is to come. The struggle & release cycles throughout her music but always leaves me feeling at peace. Meltdown at the end of this score fits perfectly. I love to meditate to Lisa's music and let her take me on a beautiful journey. Art at its finest.

Usually you have to see a movie and like the movie itself to be able to fully enjoy the soundtrack too. In this case both the film and the movie alone would be superb, but together it's perfect. What can you expect if you buy this album? I think it is enough just to mention the main authors of the soundtrack: Lisa Gerrard, Jan Garbarek and the Massive Attack. The music is mostly by Lisa Gerrard (ex-Dead Can Dance), so if you like Dead Can dance, it is a must. The special edition of Rites made by Jan Garbarek for the film is very good too. You may think, that Massive Attack might not fit this company, but it does, although it's style is a bit different. If youl ike this album, you may also look around for some Dead Can Dance album. The film was directed by Michael Mann who was the director of the movie Heat too. The soundtrack of Heat is great. There are two Lisa Gerrard tracks on that album too.