The Iron Giant: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [SOUNDTRACK] [IMPORT]

Various Artists - Soundtracks - 1999, Michael Kamen

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 3, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 3, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack, Import
• Label: Wea International
• ASIN: B00000JNIY
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,240 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
English poet laureate Ted Hughes originally conceived The Iron Giant as an instructive diversion for his and wife Sylvia Plath's children. In the 80's, the Who's Pete Townshend adapted it as a rock-oriented album and stage musical. But in transforming it into a feature-length animated film, director Brad Bird (The Simpsons, King of the Hill) added a hipster retro-'50s sensibility that colorfully evokes the era's various obsessions with cold war angst, flying saucers, space travel, and hi-fi. The film's soundtrack captures those often-anxious preoccupations with loopy delight, offering up a smart sampling of exotic eclectica that ranges from the cocktail jazz cum proto hipster rap of Edd "Kookie" Byrnes' "Kookie's Mad Pad" to the smooth pop harmonies of the Ames Brothers ("Destination Moon") and the Space Age roots R&B of the Tyrones ("Blast Off") and Jimmy Lloyd ("I Got a Rocket in My Pocket"). And those who appreciated the trash/outre musical sensibilities of Pecker should love Jimmie Haskell's "Rockin' in the Orbit," the Nutty Squirrels' Chipmunk-ish "Salt Peanuts," and the late great Mel Torme's hilariously earnest "Comin' Home Baby." Composer Michael Kamen's suitably dramatic underscore is also represented by a brief orchestral suite that manages to be both wistful and sprightly. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Hip Man!, February 27, 2002

By	"dia31" (West Palm Beach, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

You will be surprised at how good this soundtrack is! If you love the 50's or are curious about that era in times music, this soundtrack will take you to a very special place out of this world. You won't want to leave...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Got A Rocket In My Pocket, August 30, 2000

By	Bruce Aguilar (Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This CD follows in the tradition of the film and avoids all Disney-like tendencies. Do not look here for cute pop hits to be nominated for Oscars. This is a CD chock full of quirky, funny, odd-ball music from the late 50's to early 60's for the beatnick in us all! Need a pick-me-up? Listen to this CD. It makes me laugh everytime. From the chipmunk-like "Salt Peanuts", to the Hi Fi of "Mad Pad" and 50's rock of "Blast Off" this CD is a true gem! Nowhere else are you going to find such a collection of music. Looking for an original? Look no further! A MUST buy for the cheese and camp factor alone! Terrific!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but I prefer the "original", August 5, 1999

By A Customer

Warner Brothers has redeemed themselves (from past animated flops) with this movie and its soundtrack. The Iron Giant is a fantastic movie with a soundtrack that is its equal.

That said, I recommend that you consider purchasing the "original" soundtrack to the Hughes book on which this movie is based - "The Iron Man" by Pete Townshend. Pete wrote the songs in collaberation with Mr. Hughes and is accompanied by his Who bandmates and other legends such as John Lee Hooker and Nina Simone.