The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond [Soundtrack]

James Newton Howard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 20, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Republic
• ASIN: B0072HTHKS
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (143 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,643 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Produced by 12-time Grammy winner T Bone Burnett, the album features 16 brand-new and exclusive tracks by many of music's top artists who've drawn from themes embodied in The Hunger Games story to craft their songs. THE HUNGER GAMES will be released in theaters and IMAX on March 23, 2012.

In addition to the previously announced lead single "Safe & Sound," by Big Machine recording artist Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars, "THE HUNGER GAMES: SONGS FROM DISTRICT 12 AND BEYOND includes a brand new song from The Decemberists entitled "One Engine" as well as songs from a myriad of other chart-topping and critically acclaimed sensations such as Arcade Fire (whose song appears in the film itself), Kid Cudi, Miranda Lambert feat. The Pistol Annies, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, and more. Mirroring the intense action and compelling drama of this epic story, this eclectic mix of songs written especially for the companion album explore topics of freedom, family, love, power, and individuality.

Track List:
1. Abraham's Daughter by Arcade Fire
2. Tomorrow Will Be Kinder by The Secret Sisters
3. Nothing To Remember by Neko Case
4. Safe & Sound ft. The Civil Wars by Taylor Swift
5. The Ruler and The Killer by Kid Cudi
6. Dark Days by Punch Brothers
7. One Engine by The Decemberists
8. Daughter's Lament by The Carolina Chocolate Drops
9. Kingdom Come by The Civil Wars
10. Take The Heartland by Glen Hansard
11. Come Away To The Water by Maroon 5 ft. Rozzi Crane
12. Run Daddy Run ft. Pistol Annies by Miranda Lambert
13. Rules by Jayme Dee
14. Eyes Open by Taylor Swift
15. Lover Is Childlike by The Low Anthem
16. Just A Game by Birdy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars We're on fire March 21, 2012

By E. A Solinas HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:MP3 Music

"The Hunger Games" is one of the most anticipated movies of the entire year -- and so the music is almost as anticipated.

Well, despite the presence of Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift, it's a very NON-poppy collection of songs -- it's a smooth combination of folk, rock, and country, imbued with a sense of ominous bittersweetness. There are a few rock numbers mixed in, but "The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 And Beyond" is a very quiet, haunted affair.

It kicks off with Arcade Fire's slow-blazing "Abraham's Daughter"; it really brings across a dark, desperate feeling with a girl's swirling vocals in the middle of it all, with danger roaring on every side of her. It is AWESOME.

From there, we hear a string of quieter songs -- the Secret Sisters' softly uplifting "Tomorrow Will Be Kinder"; Neko Case's rippling "Nothing To Remember"; the Civil Wars' trembling duet "Kingdom Come"; the Low Anthem's murky "Lover is Childlike"; Jayme Dee's warmly contemplative "Rules"; and finally Birdy's bittersweet piano ballad "Just A Game."

Maroon 5 also abandons their usual sound, producing a rippling, dark ballad called "Come Away To The Water." As for Taylor Swift... "Safe and Sound" is a misty, soft-edged ballad that sounds beautiful, but "Eyes Open" is sharper and a bit shriller.

But in the midst of all this mellow, softer stuff, there are a few rock numbers. There's Kid Cudi's buzzing, threatening "The Ruler and the Killer," and Glen Hansard's overwrought "Take The Heartland." And God bless 'em, the Decemberists produce a perfect fusion of folk/country and rock in "One Engine."

I expected a few more fast-moving rock numbers in "The Hunger Games," since the movie is about a fight-to-the-death tournament -- meaning there's probably lots of action. But instead, it's a slow, steady stream of acoustic guitars ringed with bass, a thin stream of blazing guitar and occasional piano. The entire album has a homespun, earthy feel.

Lyrically, the music seems to be focused on the emotions of the characters -- whether it's Katniss Everdeen ("And we're on fire/Blow a kiss to the crowd/They're our only hope now"), the tyrant overseeing the Games, or the people who give up teens to fight ("Come away to the water/Give yourself so we might live anew").

But there were a couple songs that didn't quite click. Miranda Lambert and the Punch Brothers' songs were too completely country, and Glen Hansard's is a screamy repetitive mess.

Despite a few missteps, there's an earthy, heartfelt quality to "The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond" that seems to link together most of the songs. Beautiful and bittersweet.

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful March 20, 2012

By E. Davis

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

Wben the soundtrack list was first revealed I was skeptical about a few of the choices. I literally said WTF when I saw Kid Cudi on there. I take it all back. With the wide array of artists it could have sounded horrible, but it doesn't. All of the tracks tie in very well with the general atmosphere and themes of the novel/movie. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the album flows. Well worth the money. I have a feeling I'll be playing this on repeat for quite a while. Three more days until the world will be watching. May the odds be ever in your favor. When it comes to this soundtrack, they certainly are.

41 of 49 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars We're on fire March 20, 2012

By E. A Solinas HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

"The Hunger Games" is one of the most anticipated movies of the entire year -- and so the music is almost as anticipated.

Well, despite the presence of Maroon 5 and Taylor Swift, it's a very NON-poppy collection of songs -- it's a smooth combination of folk, rock, and country, imbued with a sense of ominous bittersweetness. There are a few rock numbers mixed in, but "The Hunger Games: Songs From District 12 And Beyond" is a very quiet, haunted affair.

It kicks off with Arcade Fire's slow-blazing "Abraham's Daughter"; it really brings across a dark, desperate feeling with a girl's swirling vocals in the middle of it all, with danger roaring on every side of her. It is AWESOME.

From there, we hear a string of quieter songs -- the Secret Sisters' softly uplifting "Tomorrow Will Be Kinder"; Neko Case's rippling "Nothing To Remember"; the Civil Wars' trembling duet "Kingdom Come"; the Low Anthem's murky "Lover is Childlike"; Jayme Dee's warmly contemplative "Rules"; and finally Birdy's bittersweet piano ballad "Just A Game."

Maroon 5 also abandons their usual sound, producing a rippling, dark ballad called "Come Away To The Water." As for Taylor Swift... "Safe and Sound" is a misty, soft-edged ballad that sounds beautiful, but "Eyes Open" is sharper and a bit shriller.

But in the midst of all this mellow, softer stuff, there are a few rock numbers. There's Kid Cudi's buzzing, threatening "The Ruler and the Killer," and Glen Hansard's overwrought "Take The Heartland." And God bless 'em, the Decemberists produce a perfect fusion of folk/country and rock in "One Engine."

I expected a few more fast-moving rock numbers in "The Hunger Games," since the movie is about a fight-to-the-death tournament -- meaning there's probably lots of action. But instead, it's a slow, steady stream of acoustic guitars ringed with bass, a thin stream of blazing guitar and occasional piano. The entire album has a homespun, earthy feel.

Lyrically, the music seems to be focused on the emotions of the characters -- whether it's Katniss Everdeen ("And we're on fire/Blow a kiss to the crowd/They're our only hope now"), the tyrant overseeing the Games, or the people who give up teens to fight ("Come away to the water/Give yourself so we might live anew").

But there were a couple songs that didn't quite click. Miranda Lambert and the Punch Brothers' songs were too completely country, and Glen Hansard's is a screamy repetitive mess.

Despite a few missteps, there's an earthy, heartfelt quality to "The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond" that seems to link together most of the songs. Beautiful and bittersweet.