Proposition - O.S.T. [Soundtrack]

Nick Cave, Nick Cave & Warren Ellis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 21, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B000BEZP2I
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,604 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

A powerful western drama set in the savage Eden of 1880s Australia, The Proposition is an elemental story of family conflict and primal violence, destructive love and divided loyalties. Featuring an international superstar cast including Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone, Emily Watson and Danny Huston, it is directed by John Hillcoat from a specially commissioned script by the globally acclaimed singer-songwriter Nick Cave. Cave has also composed the film's soundtrack in conjunction with Warren Ellis, his longtime Bad Seeds collaborator and multi-instrumentalist frontman of The Dirty Three. Incorporating soft chamber pieces, ghostly moodscapes and whispered laments, these 16 tracks are as starkly beautiful as the landscape of the film. Story and music are closely intertwined. EMI. 2005. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 38... 39..., November 26, 2006

By 

Adam Hunnicutt "A.H." (Remember to vote!! Click my name to read more reviews. Send me an E-Mail to review your product.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Proposition - O.S.T. (Audio CD)

What's great about this soundtrack is the uniqueness. Wait a sec. I know, now-a-days thats hard to come by, in fact its almost nil. The soundtrack to the Proposition has odd tempos, haunting vocals, and whispering voices. All of this compliments the great film that you are seeing on screen. If I could compare the style of this soundtrack to another, if I may, I would say that its similar in grain to the Carnivale soundtrack. If you are a writer, and need some inspiration of the dark mooded, atmospheric variety, then this is for you. The opening theme is uplifting and sad, kicking of an edge of ghostliness. This is a great soundtrack. I recommend that you listen to the samples above to determine if it's up your alley, because a writer needs "correct" inspiration, depending on the mood of their setting. Personally, I love it.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moody wasteland music, June 25, 2006

By 

yorgos dalman "yorgos dalman" (Holland, Europe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Proposition - O.S.T. (Audio CD)

Next to his Bad Seeds albums, Nick Cave headed the realisation of the soundtracks for two Australian movies by director John Hillcoat. "Ghosts... of the civil dead", a tough prison movie, partly written by Cave and the barely known "To have and to hold".
The first movie stands firmly on its grounds, as does its eerie unconventional soundtrack which is filled with off beat sounds and voices. The second soundtrack didn't meant much to me, it seemed more like a quicky, a "little something in between more important projects".

Now John Hillcoat is back with "The Proposition", a western set against the background of the vast, rough Australian wildlands.
Fully scipted by Cave, this time the singer / songwriter asked his Bad Seeds member, violin player Warren Ellis, to write and create the music together.
The result is as atmospherical as eerie, with some vocals by Cave, but much more blend in with the music then above it. So this is by far not a solo act by Cave, not even when he sings, hums or mumbles but a surprisingly effective pas-de-deux.

When Warren Ellis' violin howls and cries, the music becomes almost melancholical and sad. Senses of no hope of redemption creep in. Its music to contemplate by, ponder and wonder, while sitting in your back yard or on the porch of your house, overlooking vast plains of wasteland.

In a way, you could compare this with "Night on earth", the only complete instrumental soundrack by that other unique singer / songwriter: Tom Waits. It's low-key, slow paced, keen on atmosphere and so well done that you can listen to it whether or not you have seen the film.
In fact, just as "Night on earth" is as much a Tom Waits album as most of his other classics, "The Proposition" is just as much Nick Cave as anything else this man has done.

And that tells it all.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ghostly and Hypnotic Soundtrack, February 1, 2006

By 

Kurt Harding "bon vivant" (Boerne TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Proposition [Original Soundtrack] (Audio CD)

First, this isn't going to be to every Nick Cave fan's taste, but it should be. I haven't seen the movie, but the cover photo of the CD and the ghostly hypnotic soundtrack give you a good idea of how its gonna be.
With the Proposition soundtrack, Nick Cave and longtime sidekick Warren Ellis show yet again how full of talent both of them are. Though its not for everyday listening, this striking work deserves a place on every serious music lovers CD rack.
An elderly woman for whom I played the CD said parts reminded her of Phantom of the Opera. Not having seen that, I can't agree or disagree, but that comment gives some a point of reference.
Cave's music becomes increasingly complex and diverse as his career progresses. Don't miss this!