plunkett & macleane: Original Motion Picture Score [SOUNDTRACK]

Craig Armstrong

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 1999)
• Original Release Date: June 29, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Melankolic
• ASIN: B00000J80M
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #111,098 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Electronica artists are increasingly in demand as film scorers. Overall this is good news, and this heavily instrumental music fits especially well with action or sci-fi movies (cf. Pi). Since Plunkett & Macleane is set in the 18th century, choosing Massive Attack associate Craig Armstrong was a bit of an odd choice-one that's mostly paid off. Here Armstrong mixes up Carl Orff-style pomp, string-laden trip-hop, and a somber ambience reminiscent of late 1980s Goth. And despite Lewis Parker's inept (and incongruous) rapping, a cover of Talking Heads' "Houses in Motion" provides a soulful break from the heavy-duty atmospherics that make up most of this CD. We're not talking Miklós Rósza here, but this definitely is an encouraging piece of work. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, gothic and classically techno., September 1, 2002

By	The No Evil Killer "Know No Evil" (Everywhere, Anywhere, Nowhere) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Craig Armstrong proved with his Romeo and Juliet score that he can seamlessly mixed several genres of music together to create and incredible score. Many have complained that the modern sound of Plunkett and MacLeane completely contradicted the movie's pre-industrial revolution setting. But it works in ways a period score would fail. I'll go thru some of the tracks.

Track 1 sounds like a church choir and is really only there to reverse what expectations you might have of what is to come. Although the rest of the score makes great use of choral effects.

Track 2 'Unseen' is full of tension and booming bass. Orchestra, angelic voices and nervous sound effects fuse together into a brilliant 'driving' piece. This track is sure to get your blood flowing.

Track 5 'Rochester' is the theme for Alan Cumming's character and is another example of how not all of this score is techno. It's a fine violin piece that sets the mood for the comic relief of Lord Rochester.

Track 7 'Ball' is, quite simply, awesome. It's THIS music that wouldn't be out of place in a nightclub today. And it perfectly contrasts the scene in the movie, adding a smart edge and an element of sly class.

Track 9 'Business' has so much crazy excitement it rivals the booming track 2. It's truly rousing and pulse-pounding. Much fun indeed.

Tracks 16, 17 and 18 are just one giant track cut into three easy segments. It begins with a long, slow but unbelievably tense crescendo of swooping orchestra and sinister choir. Then, at the peak of the build-up and on the highest possible octave, the score jumps to the same nervous chase music showcased in tracks 2 and 9. It's an effort to get thru these 3 tracks because they take you thru so many emotions. But how many soundtracks do this for you?

Houses in Motion (track 19) is a cool song with cool lyrics that blends into track 20 for a peaceful, sombre and gentle fade out to a score that takes you everywhere.

Truly, a CD that must be owned by anyone who loves and appreciates music. No doubt, 5/5

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The missing songs..., May 12, 2000

By	Kalinata - See all my reviews

Nero from NYC - you're absolutely right: unfortunately the best songs of the film are not included on this soundtrack. These are 'Hell', 'Sailors' and 'Whore' performed by the wonderfully strange band "The Tiger Lillies" from London, all available on their own CDs... Not really Zydeco, but great stuff, nevertheless!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing And Unique Film Score, August 7, 2000

By A Customer

If you are looking for the songs, don't get this soundtrack, but if you are looking for a unique and entertaining film score, then give this a try. Many of the tracks contain music with a chorus. The most popular tracks have a pop beat over the choral and classical-type music. The main theme has been used on several movie trailers including "Romeo Must Die" and "The Patriot". The best tracks are 16) Hanging and 17) Escape.