Customer Reviews

A Perfect Place - Special Edition Film and Soundtrack

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"A Perfect Place" is (to my knowledge) the first soundtrack recording by Mike Patton, packaged together with a DVD of the film. I'll tackle the score first, since it was the reason I (and I assume most others) chose to purchase this.

Patton's score, performed largely by the composer (with the exception of percussion performances on a couple tracks by Danny Heifetz and William Winant), is seeped in the sounds of many of the great film score composers. Like Morricone, Patton develops a single theme, which comes swirling in and out over and over again to great effect. Like Barry, Patton mixes in swaggering horns and latin percussion ("Main Title" and particularly "Batucada"). And like Zorn, he keeps twisting and turning, building senses of mystery with simple instrumental arrangements (the vibes-driven "Seriously Disturbed", the groaning sounds mixed with the delicate synths on theme restatement "Another Perfect Place") and a seemingly endless series of influences and genres (check the downright authentic church organ strains of "Catholic Tribe").

Along the way, we also get a trio of vocal features-- "A Perfect Twist" gives Patton a chance for a pop workout over a chugging swing rhythm, while "A Dream of Roses" shows off his straightahead swing chops. The latter, featured coming out of the radio of an elderly woman in the movie, is particularly engaging, Patton's effort for period authenticity is staggering in its success, right down to the gentle analog noise consistent with older recordings. Patton also takes a stab at a straightahead opera sound on "Il Cupo Delore", which, while perhaps not the best piece ever, shows a vocal side of him we've yet to see and is staggering if nothing else in the effectiveness of his voice.

All in all, the score is fairly engaging and well worth a listen-- I have questions whether it's the kind of thing I'll find myself coming back to, but in the past couple days as I've played it, I've rather enjoyed it.

The film itself, written and directed by Derrick Scocchera and starring character actor Mark Boone, Jr. (Memento, Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition)) and Bill Moseley (any number of horror films, from The Devil's Rejects to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) , is, if nothing else, a fine illustration into the glories of black and white cinematography. Using monochrome along with Patton's score to generate a beautiful noir scape, the film tells the story of an accidental murder and the attempt to hide the evidence. Rife with moral ambiguity and an ever-deepening sensation of staggering incompetence on the part of the main characters, it is engaging and has that feeling of ending where it began. Boone is perfect in the role of straight man, Moseley plays with a bit of an edginess to his character that at times threatens to compromise the role, but but pull off their parts well and really, I can't say enough about the film's production value-- it is beautifully
shot and looks just fantastic.

Bottom line-- this is a nice package, glad I picked it up. Recommended.

So, I'm a Mike Patton junkie....but I'm one of those junkies that can admit when something he does sucks, so I don't feel too biased in saying that this is brilliant...

The fact that the film and the score come together, makes this one of the most sensible purchases of the year. The film is exactly what you'd expect, It looks gorgeous, and holds your interest, The performances are great, and it's a shame that this is essentially coming into the world as a cult film, because more people should be able to see it.

The score is one Patton fans have waited for for years...it's the type of score that can be used as background music when you're driving, or cleaning the house, but that also begs to have you sit down with a glass of wine and just absorb it all, every note, and every sound. Rare is the music that lets you do both of those things with it.

Mike Patton writes and performs a great sound track for this movie. The movie itself is funny and the music fits perfect! If you like most Mike Patton stuff, you will have no problem with this. Very, very glad I bought it. I cant wait to see what he does next!!!

Mike Patton creates a film score that would make the geniuses like Ennio Morricone and Angelo Badalamenti (both of whom he covered with Fantomas on their fantastic Director's Cut), proud. A new release from Patton is always cause for excitement and, as with so many of his projects, this one doesn't disappoint. As a bonus, it comes with a DVD of the movie that it was made for. A must for any Mike Patton fan.

Mike Patton fans and those simply curious will want to consider picking this one up. This movie soundtrack is quite different from his work on the Tzadik label (Adult Themes for Voice and Pranzo Oltranzista) and also more tempered and accessible.

A Perfect Place is packaged with both a short film and it's music together on two separate discs. Neither film or music is a total masterpiece, but each has moments of brilliance and intrigue to keep the eyes and ears attuned. What is great about Mike Patton as a film composer is that he doesn't simply rely on a string section alone like many film scores do. Like his friend and mentor John Zorn, Patton is unafraid to pull from Rock, Avant, Big Band, and general noise-making (two tracks are of a radio dial being tuned) to suit the right mood for each piece.

All that said however I don't really think as a album it holds up as strong as it could. The CD is only a scant 35 minutes, mostly consisting of instrumentals, but there are a few moments where Patton gets to flex his vocals a bit in the way he did in his Mr. Bungle days. I don't play this CD much, but when I do I come away feeling it was a good purchase.

Great jazzy music, and a decent little short film staring one of my personal favorites, Bill Mosley.
Good set.
I find it humorous how Patton made the "soundtrack" twice as long as the film.
:P

Derrick Scocchera's "A Perfect Place" is a short black and white film featuring a profoundly eclectic soundtrack by Mike Patton. This black comedy follows Tom (Mark Boone Junior) and poker bubby Eddie (Bill Moseley) in their dilemma of finding a perfect place to bury the body of flatmate Dennis (Tom Miller) when battered by a bass guitar. A Perfect Place is a pseudo-haunting and playfully humourous story from Fantoma Films, landmarking Ipecac Recordings' 100th release in a special edition film and soundtrack package. This CD and DVD release includes "A Perfect Place" movie, scene selection, trailer, and fifteen song soundtrack.

Mike Patton's soundtrack to "A Perfect Place" takes you through the surreal and suspenseful tones of a short film from Derrick Scocchera. A perfect blend of jazz-rock and noise-pop for "A Perfect Twist (Vocal)", Komeda-style lullaby vocals on "A Little Poker Tomorrow Night?", 1930's pop-swing on "A Dream Of Roses", with "Swinging The Body" referencing Mancini's "Charade", kooky organ on "Catholic Tribe", and outstanding operatic vocals on "Il Cupo Dolore". All music was written, performed, produced, and mixed by Mike Patton, with additional percussion by Mr. Bungle's drummer Danny Heifetz and William Winant on "Main Title" and "Batucada".

I swear if I ever meet Mike, I'll scream like a stupid teenage girl. For those of you who hate the soundtrack then screw you man. The whole thing is worth your money, I haven't seen the film yet but apparently it is shorter than the album. It's not insane like Bungle or many of Mike's other bands, this is different but you know it has what Patton does best. You get the great big band (listening to Mike's jazz influenced got me into some of that stuff) music along with some killer old Jazz. It has Mike singing on some songs (one in italian i think) and the usual weird noises you hear on Mr. bungle albums. It can be slow, loud, or just plain weird. It's swing, traditional pop, vocal, and it's Mike Patton! No wrong with that. Oh and Mike, Molto bene!

as soundtracks go, this feels a little more right on the line of traditional and listenable, typical Patton work. i have a few soundtracks that get very few listens, not because they're not good, but listening to a score driving to work for 15 minutes isn't typical. scores are maybe for road trips or longer drives, background music (it's intention) behind conversation. point being, this would probably get more play because it is "short-trip" listenable. the songs are generally short and to the point, not drug out instrumentals (again not that that's a bad thing, for a 2 hour movie you need 'em). you can tell a verse/chorus/verse composer did it, not a "Conductor" or something, you know? nothing against either type of composer, both are very relevant. it does not sound "novice" or "beginner" or anything, but a fan of Mike Patton's would probably like it more than a Hans Zimmer fan.
fans of FANTOMAS' the directors cut would probably enjoy this. fans of MR. BUNGLE's california (not that it's anything like it, but something reminds me of it comparitively. MR. BUNGLE's drummer and their touring percussionist do guest on a couple tracks) or THE TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE soundtrack as well (french animated film). it's nice to hear Mike Patton exploring new avenues and pulling it off. there are two vocal tracks (one of which may be sung in Italian), i believe, two interesting "what it sounds like radio channel surfing" tracks, different interpretations of the main movie riff, and also other moody instrumentals to round it all out. i'd like to explore similar types of music, i've always liked it but don't know where to begin. what "genre" is it? "ragtime" or something? the FANTOMAS delerium cordia in-between-sets music was similar, cartoony, percussive, JOHNNY DANGEROUSLY era music. what is that style?!?!?!
never purchased anything like this, where there's a short film AND it's soundtrack packaged together, hope to do it again.
as for the film, even after reading how short it was, i was still shocked how short it really was. i think that that's a compliment because you end up wanting more. if it was a bad short film, you might say it was too long, i guess. it is definitely enjoyable and worth the bargain price. the trailer is a special feature, which is cool, because that may be the coolest track off of the soundtrack. oddly the song that's played over the end credits is not Mike Patton's and is not on the soundtrack. the film is shot nicely and the acting is good. some darker humor, a little suspense or curiosity. i mean, you are wanting to see how it ends, which says a lot for any good film. you may find, however, that watching the film first would be a better experience because i had listened to the soundtrack 2 or 3 times first and i regret it. the music was almost distracting while watching the film, because that's all you're looking for. i would suggest maybe watching the film, give the soundtrack a listen and then watching the film again. that way you can try to focus on just the actual film. i feel some guilt for buying this for the soundtrack first and the movie second, because it seems unfair to the writer/director who, without him - this project wouldn't exist. Mike Patton is just a hired hand, after all.
maybe the only "complaints" would be more special features, maybe some info on the director, but i'm not complaining by any means.
for the $$$ you'll receive a short film you may watch a couple times and a soundtrack that's probably listenable monthly. that's all i really wanted, although both the film and soundtrack exceeded my expectations.

What a great film score. It fits the film perfectly and not only shows patton's influences but is weird and original enough to compliment the rest of his catalog. great, jazzy, and old timey. The film although simple, is highly enoyable with humourous dialog and a great sense of irony and buffoonery. Pick this up now.