Customer Reviews

Splendor (1999 Film)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I heard about this soundtrack in Rolling Stone, and since it was from Astralwerks, I picked it up. Once I stuck it in my stereo, I think I left it in for about a month.

All hyperbole aside, this album is really excellent. Listening to it makes me feel happier than I am when I see a Blur music video on MTV. The remix "theme" (it's not really a theme, but there are so many remixes that it approaches one) is great - some of these songs are practically new. London Suede's "Chemistry Between Us" crushes Bush in the battle of songs about chemicals between two lovers. James Lavelle from UNKLE shows up to prove that Hurricane #1 has more songs than just the one in the VW ad. And My Bloody Valentine stun me again by remixing the Lush song "Sweetness & Light."

Even though they're not remixes, I am such a sucker for "Bizarre Love Triangle," and "Sho' Nuff" is one of the stoopidest and best Fatboy Slim tracks that I can remember.

Do yourself and buy this album on a rainy day. y the time New Order fades out, the sun will be shining and birds will be singing. I can't stress how fantastic this album is.

I think my summary says it all. How many times have you bought a soundtrack only to find it's full of filler from boring singer-songwriters types ? this album has got exclusive remixes and some of them are awesome: james lavelle's remix of "hurricane #1" for example and moog cookbook's fab makeover of air's "kelly watch the stars". if like me you have broad tastes that include some electronic, some brit-pop, some classic '80s electro, this album is an almost perfect mix-tape on CD.

I bought this CD rather blindly, having had it pop up on my Amazon personal recommendations and perk my attention. While not a huge fan of Araki, the list of talent on this soundtrack is a real grabber. If you are a fan of the music from early 90's "shoe-gazer" bands to late 90's electronic-mix stuff, this is for you. The remix theme that runs through this CD actually improves a few songs, or at least brings them back in a form you probably hadn't anticipated (Moog Cookbook's remix of Air's "Kelly Watch the Stars" is a funky example, while the pairing of My Bloody Valentine with Lush on "Sweetness and Light" is genius... just wish MVB had more stuff out there). Extra tracks such as Fatboy Slim's "Sho'nuff" and the always welcome reminder of New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle" round out an all-around great disc.

I sent a copy to a friend who responded that "all she needed now was a party, since she already has a great mix CD for it." I agree with her completely.

Heck, I might even watch the movie now.

I saw this movie (compliments of my lovely roommate who gets trailers heh heh heh) and it is almost surpassing my other favorites! I love Greg Araki's flicks from Doom to Totally F'ed up! and this one is refreshing because it is a romance comedy with a twist! I went and bought this CD (couldn't wait) a couple days ago and it hasn't left my player! I love Fatboy slim, and Chemical Brothers...the songs bring back the lovely memories of V, Zed, and Abel :) See the movie and buy the soundtrack and I promise you will not be disapointed...It also has New Order, who could ask for anything more?????????????

I'll be honest. I bought this cd for one song in particular...the Moog Cookbook remix of Air's "Kelly Watch the Stars," which was already one of their best songs. It just got even better. They funked it out real proper-like. I have yet to meet a person who does not instantly like this track. My advice to you...get this song, especially if you like Air, funk, or dance music.
Other than that...there's still some good other songs. The Fatboy Slim song is alright, even though he takes repitition to new levels, even for him. "Don't Know Why I Love You" and "The Jag" are pretty tight. The New Order song is a nice piece of nostalgia, and there's an underrated sleeper by the Chemical Brothers, Electrobank, though it's practically the same version from the Dig Your Own Hole cd.
What I've found interesting so far is that throughout all these different reviews, no two people seem to like the same set of songs. Most cd reviews list the same ones over and over. That says something interesting about this cd, but I'm not sure what it is...

This cd is as beautiful as the movie, while gathering the greatest moments of the film, such as Everything but the girl ¨Before Today¨, Slowdive ¨Shine¨, Fatboy slim, Blur, Chapterhouse, etc. This cd is great, it's relaxing, funny, has a little of happy moments and chill-out (kind of lounge). It's a banquet for the ear and to the mind, enjoy it, it's worth the price, it's a perfect stand-out cd that even if you haven't seen the movie you'll like, love it. Buy it now!

The best soundtrack from Gregg Araki yet. I felt like I was in his living room while listening to this for the first time. Great sounds all the way around..plus an appearance by My Bloody Valentine remixing Lush.

I don't really know what Gregg Araki is better at; movie's or picking up good music for the soundtrack's to his movies. In any case, the Splendor soundtrack is what it's title portends....Splendid. It's hip, upbeat, and suprisingly delightful as the movie itself. Every time I listen to it, I'm reminded of all the scenes of the movie and relive the moods and feelings from each one. Alot of Gregg's previous titles before this one are a bit on the darker side (Doom Generation and Nowhere) so it stands out as the lighter side of Gregg's work. If you've never seen the movie before check it out! I recommend all the works of Gregg Araki! This movie / soundtrack is a good one to start with!

Got to say I was pleasantly surprised by this CD. I bought for Fatboy's "Sho Nuff" and the rest of the CD turned out to be really good. Love the remix of Air's "Kelly Watch the Stars", think Shaft theme meets Air. Other good tunes are remix of Lush's "Sweetness & Light", House of Love, and Chemical Brothers. Only, wish they remixed New Order's "Bizarre Love Triangle." A really good CD for someone who's curious about electronica and anyone who's a big fan of Brit-Pop.

Over the years, Gregg Araki films have consistently proven that Araki, a born provacateur, has no idea how to frame a shot, write a line of convincing dialogue, or make a movie that's at all watchable beyond its candy-coated set decoration. Yet with his three most known movies - The Doom Generation, Nowhere, and now Splendor - he makes consistently compelling soundtracks, records that take a particular social terrain and brilliantly map it out sonically, doing so with an insight that you'd think would make him a great movie director (oops). Splendor is his lightest soundtrack, but also his least bogged down by chug-a-chug metal sidebars. These are 14 frothy techno songs remixed to sound even frothier, and they add up to something fetchingly danceable and relaxing. The "I Don't Know Why I Love You" remix is especially tantalizing, and lighter songs like Slowdive's "Shine" and Chapterhouse's "Mesmerize" meld nicely with the funkier sounds of the "Kelly Watch the Stars" remix and Fatboy Slim's eternally spunky "Sho' Nuff."