Customer Reviews

To Live & Die In L.A.: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Director William Friedkin chose Wang Chung to score "To Live and Die in L.A." on the strength of the band's debut album "Points on the Curve". Wang Chung's techno rhythms, lush interludes, and ironic lyrics turned out to be the perfect sound for Friedkin's complex, cynical neo-noir masterpiece and one of the most evocative film soundtracks of the 1980s. This CD includes 4 vocal tracks and 4 instrumental tracks.

The soundtrack kicks off with the film's title song "To Live and Die in L.A.". William Friedkin had asked Wang Chung not to use the movie's title in a song. But Jack Hues and Nick Feldman did it anyway, and the result is terrific. -And Friedkin liked it. The immediately recognizable percussive "clicking" of the second track, "Lullaby", was effective in heightening moments of relative silence in the film. "Wait"'s tentative, anxious rhythm and lyrics create palpable tension. This embodiment of the film's angst and unease may be its best vocal track. The first instrumental track, "City of Angels", is also the longest track at 9:17 minutes. "City of Angels" is an unforgettable composition for an unforgettable scene. Its energetic techno beat help make "To Live and Die in L.A."'s counterfeiting scene legendary.

I mention "To Live and Die in L.A.", "Lullaby", "Wait", and "City of Angels" because they are the most evocative of the film's tone. It would have been nice if "Dance Hall Days" were included, since it is featured briefly in the film -and that's one reason I give this soundtrack 4 stars. This is good work by Wang Chung, without which one of the most memorable films of the 1980s would not have been as memorable. The soundtrack is invaluable to the film, but well worth listening to on its own.

This soundtrack and movie together are Brilliant and well done. Wang Chung were made for doing this soundtrack. Each track on this album fits the film superbly. City of Angels and To Live and Die in LA are the best in my opinion, but all the other track fit greatly to. Even if your not a big fan of Wang Chung this cd contains songs almost everyone would enjoy.

Okay, okay...I know it's Wang Chung. This soundtrack album really helps make the movie as cool as it is. Put most simply, this is absolutely my very favorite soundtrack ever performed by one band or musical artist. The first 4 songs have vocals, and the second half are instrumental. These guys are at the top of their game with this album, even if not everyone heard the soundtrack. Definitely a must own CD for musicians or movie fans. I'm a musician and EXTREMELY picky about what I do and don't like. This I love. :)

Glad to see there are so many fans of this sadly underrated film and of this soundtrack. I was glad they brought it back in print (and for such a ridiculously low price). Let's hope they bring the film back in print and get a DVD edition.

Most people may see the name Wang Chung on this disc and think it's an unsalvageable '80s relic. But in actuality this is very solid disc that is a must for fans of the film. Even for '80s synth pop stars Wang Chung seemed more talented than most, and it comes across on this album.

First off, credit must be given for writing a song that actually manages to fit the title To Live and Die in LA in it and come off as catchy and breezy. Wake Up Stop Dreaming and especially Wait are solid, driving tunes.

With the exception of Every Big City, which sounds the most dated, there is really not a weak track on this short album. The driving suite City of the Angels works nicely to evoke the title credit counterfeiting sequence. To me the highlight is the absolutely haunting track The Red Stare, a minimal, moving piece that ends with the (synthesized?) wails that are used to great effect in the film. It leads right into yet another hard, driving track, Black-Blue-White, that just makes you want to get into a car chase. (Indeed, the film features what has to be one of the best car chases ever filmed.)

Interestingly, one of Wang Chung's biggest hits, Dancehall Days, is featured in the film (I believe during a scene in a strip club where Chance visits Bianca) yet it does not appear on this album. Odd.

All in all, at $..., you can't go wrong with this CD. Highly recommended to fans of the film, of director William Friedkin, of Wang Chung, and of '80s synth pop fans that want to see how the form was used effectively in a soundtrack.

A terrific soundtrack to a sorely underrated film. Wang Chung's score perfectly compliments both the exhilarating action scenes, and the moody quiet ones. See this 80's thriller first, get hooked on the techno-ish score, and then snatch up the c.d. As others have written in their reviews, this album is great driving music, but it can certainly be enjoyed at home-especially the title track and the other 'radio' songs. The instrumentals are perfect for the car, hard-driving and fast. Hey, how about a widescreen d.v.d.? As I said, this is a forgotten genre classic. Terrific acting, sharp direction, and a killer score!

This is still a great CD, fifteen years hasn't done anything to age it. Do NOT play this CD in your car as it will probably get you a speeding ticket. I can't decide which WANG album is better: Mosaic, Warmer side, or this one.

For anyone who doubted Wang Chung as a talented band this cd is for you. I have all five Wang Chung cds, and this soundtrack proves that they weren't just some stupid 80's band. They had talent and it's too bad they didn't last into the 90's because if the one new track on their 1997 greatest hits cd attests, they could have been hugely succesful in the pop arena. This is a must have for any rock collector.

I felt that Wang Chung made a good decision switching to create a soundtrack than trying to remake "Points on the Curve". Quite frankly, I was amazed by the work that Wang Chung did creating the soundtrack to "To Live and Die in L.A. (Special Edition)". The music keeps you guessing, just like the movie. Nice instrumental songs for the second half of the soundtrack. All in all, I would recommend this album because it shows off the genius of Jack Hues & Nick Feldman. Buy the album, and be prepared to lose yourself in an excellent soundtrack.

-RoMo37
--SEPTEMBER 15, 2008

To Live and Die in LA is one of those little sleeper movies that never fail to impress on repeated viewings. In no small way, the music of Wang Chung drives the mood, the excitement, the corruption, the ethos of LA. Particularly impressive is the City of the Angels track- which propels the action in high octane moments, with its simple driving beat and appealing riff. Pity Wang Chung never did anything else of interest, but this soundtrack is their little gem.

Wang Chung? Doesn't matter, this is a great soundtrack. Very atmospheric and hard hitting in alternation. Works exceptionally well with the film, and is a quite good listen independent of the movie.