Customer Reviews

Levity: Music from the Film

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

 

 

Hiring a noted indie rock musician to do your soundtrack will gain you instant noteriety. No matter what one thinks of "About A Boy", Badly Drawn Boy's jaw-droppingly beautiful soundtrack was a highlight, and even better than the actual BDB album that followed. And who can't forget "Chelsea Walls"? So, hiring the enigmetic E to do a soundtrack seems like a good idea, right?

Correct. Don't get me wrong - there are a few downsides to the album, most notably the length (pay this much for under 35 minutes of music?) and only two Eels songs, but it really is worth it. "What I Remember Most" is a haunting opener, which faintly recalls Belle & Sebastian's work with Todd Solondoz's "Storytelling" soundtrack. The instrumentals are short, pretty, but establish the effective mood RIGHT AWAY, something not many other scores can do. The latter suites that close the album are undeniably moving.

The two Eels songs, both under 3 minutes, are worthwhile in themselves. While the acoustic "Skywriting" is extremely worthy, it's "Taking A Bath In Rust" that steals the show, with it's soft-loud scratchy-voicings and the lush & memorable string arrangement that follows. It's amazing it wasn't a single, because it easily could have charted.

Again, it isn't perfect. Some of the "themes" are recycled too oft, but again, it's a minor complaint to a great work. It's not the greatest soundtrack ever made, but it's a very worthy entry into that "indie-rock soundtrack" subgenre, and an enjoyable one at that.

I was very impressed with this album. Whereas the MC Honky album he released a couple weeks earlier was very much hit-or-miss, with gimmicks that got in the way of the cool things he was doing musically, on this score to a movie that isn't out yet, the gimmick is the music itself. The two Eels songs sound like they could have been b-sides from either Electro-shock Blues or Daisies of the Galaxy, while the rest of the songs sound like very unobtrusive, very moody movie music. But turn it up louder and pay attention and you'll hear all kinds of interesting things. It really [draws] you into its sounds and there's plenty of room to roam around inside them...only gave it 4 stars because it's so short - around 35 minutes. It's not that it needs to be longer, but it would be nice if the price reflected the quantity of music you're buying. But the quality is wonderful. This, along with the MC Honky CD (and Lisa Germano's new one, Lullaby for Liquid Pig, with Butch drumming) should help tide over any Eels fans until the release of Shootenany! in June. Peace out.

Very melodic and melancholy, Mark Everett ("E", "Eels") shapes up a wonderful soundscape to a fine little film. Playing the bulk of the instruments himself and singing on one track, "E" & "Eels" fans will find this soundtrack a nice addition to their collection. Softer in tone and sound than much of his work, the "Levity" soundtrack does possess some similarities to the "Eels" newest recording, but with almost no vocals the songs instead come to life through some fine subtle playing and direction from Mr. Everett. I would highly recommend this CD to anyone interested in any of "E"'s or the "Eels recordings and to anyone looking for something soothing and melodic to listen to on a warm summer day.

I'm a big fan of the Eels, especially their first works (Beautiful Freak, Electroshock Blues, and Daisies of the Galaxy). This score is an excellent compilation, much of which is based on the same few basic melodies. These deceptively simple patterns unfold into a beautiful variety of music. Check out my favorite track from the album "Haunted Piano #1" for a sample. "Running the Bath" is probably most representative of the overall tone and feel of the album. Levity's brevity (gwah hah hah!) is the only downside. All but 2 of the tracks fall into the one to two and a half minute mark, making some of them seem like samples instead of full tracks. Given the ambient nature of the pieces they really should go on longer. Definately go for it if you are a fan of the Eels or any other tingly, experi-pop-orchestrock. Keep in mind most of the album is instrumental, in case you need "singing or guitars" to enjoy music.

I can't believe how well put together this score is, as well as the two tracks that E sings in.
Track number 9 is great. Has a perfect somber, desolate feel to it. Contrasted with track 14 which is uplifting and hopeful. I love scores to soundtracks and this soundtrack is filled with incredible songs. Tracks 9 and 14 are some of the best I have ever heard.

This soundtrack is amazing. The movie is amazing, the actors are amazing, and Mr. Everett is amazing. You are lost without seeing this movie... and once you see it, you know you'll be lost without the soundtrack.