Customer Reviews

Jarhead [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]

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

 

 

If you've watched the previews for this film, you're likely expecting a song called Jesus Walks by Kanye West to be on the soundtrack but it's not there - very annoying. But otherwise it's a pretty good CD of music to listen to while you work out or drive fast.

Thomas Newman's original music for JARHEAD is not only typically daring with many unconventional sounds (utilizing samples, electronic treatments and exotic percussion), but one of his most stirring, rock-influenced efforts as well (as with the opening track, "Welcome to the Suck"). At first I thought there were no melodies as memorable as "Dead Already" from AMERICAN BEAUTY or "Road to Chicago" from ROAD TO PERDITION, but the 3/4-time march used in both "Raining Oil" and "Desert Storm" has grown on me. Of course the CD is recommendable for Newman's score alone. But...

...while one doesn't buy a CD of this nature primarily for the extra songs, one does expect the extras to be competently presented when they appear. So I was taken aback to hear Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" at a faster tempo and higher pitch than usual, as though mastered from a sped-up tape. I can't think of any intentional reason for this, so I'm assuming it was a mistake, but either way I found it not only annoying in itself but because of "Fight the Power"'s thematic significance, with its reference to the Bobby McFerrin tune heard earlier in the movie. ("'Don't Worry Be Happy' was a number one jam/Damn if I say it you can slap me right here".)

So then, while I like the Thomas Newman score a lot, I'm docking the CD a star for the sped-up "Fight the Power". Caveat emptor.

Make no mistake - Jarhead proves Thomas Newman's abillity to write music for film. He is not making the music in order to show off his amazing talents, he is making the music so it is perfect for the film. Whereas some composers might score depressing scenes with grand sweeping movements trying to make themselves look like complex composers, Newman knows what will enhance the scene and what won't, and what can convey the message required.

Ultimately, this describes Jarhead perfectly. I have seen the movie and music is seamless and perfect for it. For the most part, there is a sonic texture created, with guitars and drums to represent the bravado of the characters. If you are a fan of Newman's stirring orchestral works this is definitely not something you would like. Newer fans of "American Beauty" and the like will find things to enjoy here, but not in as vibrant or pleasing a way as in that album. The score on it's own is just not as exciting or involving as it could be. It is interesting in it's own right, but not very pleasing to hear. However, there are many good tracks interspersed throughout the score to take you to the good spot.

Overall, Jarhead warrants a 4.5/5 for the film, but on a cd, it's score drops to 3/5. It is pleasant at times, and mostly an interesting CD, but there are too many Newman masterpieces to consider this one high on your buying list. Then agan, if you are a Newman fan, this CD should satisfy you're urge to see what the guy is up to. Final score? Three out of five.

Thomas Newman is brilliant as always and delivers beautifully. Having read the book prior to the motion picture, Thomas Newman truly brings Swofford's tale to life. If you enjoyed The Horse Whisperer or the Shawshank Redemption score, then you'll thoroughly enjoy Jarhead.

Thomas Newman's soundtracks rarely disappoint, and this is no exception. A unique and successful combination of gamelan elemts and electronic innovation, with an arabic flavor.

I am reading all the negative reviews of this soundtrack, and most of them mention the absence of Kanye West's "Jesus Walks." One reviewer gives the album one star because he was "misled" into buying the album.

Um, hello? This is an instrumental score for the film! NOT a Various Artists soundtrack! This is, you may have noticed, an album that falls under the name of Thomas Newman! If anyone bought this expecting other music, then it's entirely their own fault. It even says on the front: "MUSIC BY THOMAS NEWMAN."

That said, I'd also like to correct Amazon on something - they said this is Newman's third outing with Mendes, the other two being "Shawshank Redemption" and "American Beauty."

Shawshank was directed by Frank Darabont, NOT Sam Mendes.

Mendes' other pairing with Newman was actually on 2002's "Road to Perdition," which is another great soundtrack I'd heartily recommend purchasing.

Enticed into buying the soundtrack CD by the movie trailer I was terribly disappointed. Not all music from the movie is on the soundtrack, including the best tracks like Kanye West's Jesus Walks! I should have read the complete list of songs, but not knowing all the names and artists I might not have realized it anyway. Definitely a waste of money - don't buy unless you really want ONLY the tracks on the CD.

Having read the book and seen the movie, the Jarhead soundtrack really captures the rythmn and emotions that both portray. Jarhead being the story of what it was like to be a soldier during the first Gulf War in 1993, this soundtrack really fits the attitude presented.