Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This time they got it REALLY right., December 29, 2003
The initial release of the "Pulp Fiction" soundtrack was every bit as innovative as the film itself; after it was released to generally positive reviews everyone suddenly had to have snippets of film dialogue interspersing the songs featured in (or inspired by) their movies and Quentin Tarantino completed his video store clerk's revenge by being able to credibly claim to be influencing not only film for the last half of the 1990's but also film sountrack production as well.The only trouble was that the original soundtrack CD, a complete blast to listen to under any circumstance, wasn't nearly as complete as it could have been. Most of the music from the "Jackrabbit Slim's" sequence was left off (most notably Link Wray's classic "Rumble", from the "uncomfortable silence" bit, made even more noticeable due to the, uh, uncomfortable silence). This re-issue (sorry, "collector's edition") of the soundtrack, timed to co-ordinate with the re-issue of the previously bare-bones "Pulp Fiction" DVD in 2002 goes miles toward correcting this oversight, providing signature songs instantly recognizable from their respective scenes in the movie (assuming you've seen the movie as often as I have) and one, the Brothers Johnson classic cover of "Strawberry Letter #23" that I can't seem to recall from the movie to save my life...but it too is a welcome addition, completely in place with the rest of the songs. It would have been nice to have added a couple more splices of film dialogue as well, but that's a piddling request in light of the very-badly needed material that finally makes its way onto the disc. As for Tarantino's 16:09 "interview" that takes up the second disc, chances are you've heard it before...there really isn't much new ground broken here (although the revelation that "My Sharona" was QT's original choice for Ving Rhames, uh, "love scene" was pretty interesting), as Tarantino made sure to milk his status as Hollywood's "flavor of the month" for all it was worth back in the day to ensure we all understood his love for all things '70's and the manner by which his movies find their way out of his (no doubt vinyl) record collection. The second disc could very likely been put to better use than this, but of course it IS completely separate from the proper soundtrack itself so it's not as though it actually interferes with your enjoyment of a great soundtrack CD made even better the second time around.
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52 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Inflated reissue of fine soundtrack, August 30, 2002
"Pulp Fiction" wasn't the first movie whose mood grew from the pop songs that became its soundtrack. E.g., "American Graffiti" found motivation in popular music much earlier, providing a huge boost to '50s music nostalgia. "Pulp Fiction" helped fuel a popular resurgence of surf music, but more importantly, it was the film whose director spent a great deal of time discussing his music-inspired methodology. At the time of the film's release, Quentin Tarantino consumed numerous interview inches discoursing on his technique for drawing a film from his record collection.For those who didn't hear or read Tarantino's explanation the first time around, MCA's "Collector's Edition" soundtrack (issued to accompany the film's DVD reissue) adds a 16-minute "interview" (actually, a non-stop monolog), as well as four tracks left off the original CD. The extra songs are terrific, but expanding to two discs solely to accommodate the 1994 interview (disc one contains the music, disc two the interview) positions this more for Tarantino groupies than anyone else. Those interested enough to sit through Tarantino's self-aggrandizing film-geek commentary (at least, more than once) will have already heard what he has to say. Those who just want to relive the film, and enjoy the music, are saddled with an extra disc at added cost. To be fair, the price increase also covers royalties for the four additional track, but the addition of an entire disc to convey an eight-year-old 16 minute Jolt-fueled ramble seems like a vanity project. The four additional tracks (The Robins' "Since I First Met You," Link Wray's "Rumble," Brothers Johnson's "Strawberry Letter #23," and The Marketts' "Out of Limits") have been added to the end of the standard-issue track list. This "Collectors Edition" features the same running order as the original, with the same dialog clips (with the same lack of banding on several, making it difficult to program them out, should you tire of them). Given Tarantino's method, the soundtrack necessarily captures the mood of the film very well. From the rush of Dick Dale's opening "Misirlou" through Urge Overkill's cover of Neil Diamond's "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Now" and the Statler Brother's "Flowers on the Wall," this is equal parts film soundtrack and Quentin Tarantino mix-tape. What's odd is that the song order doesn't seem to match the movie. Perhaps as a mix-tape the album's producers felt the film's song order didn't hold up. This is a shame, since it reduces the listener's experience of the album as a film soundtrack (though, of course, a programmable CD player quickly solves the problem). Original soundtrack (4 stars) - interview disc (1/2 star) + bonus tracks (1/2 star) = 4 stars.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
You Can't Resist It, You Know you Want It, September 7, 2009
Pulp Fiction easily has one of the greatest soundtracks when it comes to movies, (although the songs admittedly gain more meaning automatically when used in the context of his movies) and rightly so. Like the movie itself, it's a glorious, concise joyride, full of surf guitar, country, passion, and whatever have you. Indeed, these songs are easily full of meaning because they are actually used in context of these movies, and with snippets of dialogue scattered about, well, what else can a Tarantino lover ask for? Here's my individual thoughts on each song.
1. Misirlou-Starting out with the energetic dialogue before the hold up that rips right into scorching riffs. Its strong exotic flavor never wanes and the song will make you jump out and air guitar, as well as dance with your body like crazy.
2. Royale With Cheese-the famous Royale with Cheese bit, though it gets old if you listen to too much. I've heard this one too many times, though.
3. Jungle Boogie- Raunchy, in your-face, this is the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction's most scorching moments.
4. Let's Stay Together-The classy, brassy intro, will make you always imagine the title card in the movie, then the movie's somehow timeless, poignant feel is reflected in this The song itself is soulful Al Green, whatever than means.
5. Bustin Surfboards-This bright and sunny surf guitar classic is nostalgic, punctured by an extremely raw feel to it. Played during the drug dealing scene.
6. Lonesome Town-This great song, performed by Ricky Nelson, is an ode to loneliness. Somber and concise as well, and it doesn't stick around enough to get on your nerves
7. Son of A Preacher Man-Yeah! Who doesn't remember this stylish, super-cool, chill song. Makes you want to pour a couple glasses of wine, kick it with a beautiful woman, and smoke all night long. Or spend a date with the classy Uma Thurman. Either one works.
8. Bullwinkle Part 2-After a snippet of Zed's dead, this dark, spaghetti western surf song makes you feel high and ready for crusing down the highway. Great solos from the sax and guitar
9. You can Never Tell-This song just rules. This infectious, rockabilly tune will you have dancing the twist along with Mia and Vincent in no time.
10. Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon-This breathtaking song is atmospheric for a top 40 tune. It's the kind of song that perfectly captures a sunset ride in the painted desert or dream beach. You'll be strumming the guitar notes in this song and dancing along like Uma in no time flat.
11. If Love is a Red Dress-Alright, I wasn't a big fan of this song, but this country song is legit made and sounds rustic the way country should be.
12. Bring Out the Gimp-This song kind of does capture the crazy and somewhat haunting motives of Zed and Maynard, but it's raunchy, crazy jazz, with a wildly entertaing rhythm, guitars, and instruments. You'll air drum the song in no time.
13. Flowers On the Wall-This country romp from the guys who brought us Bred of Roses is perhaps the best non-known song on here. It's chorus is stomping and catchy beyond belief.
14. Personality Goes A Long Way-kind of weak without facial expressions, but I'm not really going to complain here.
15. Surf Rider-A conclusive, brilliantly infectious piece of surf work. In the movie, this makes the credits worth watching, simply bcause you get to jam for a pretty extended amount of time.
16. Ezekiel 25:17-Doesn't need the facial expressions, you already know this one to well.
17. Since I first Met You-Meh, the only piece of crap on this alubm. But it really doesn't matter much.
18. Rumble-Abused by Roland Emmerich in his stinker ID4, this is another song that plays during the uncomfortable silence bit.
19. Strawberry Letter 22-This song is heard very quietly and briefly when Jules and Vincent are passing some apartments on their way to the hit. Used more in Jackie Brown, however, but it's still a great tune.
20. Out of Limits-Gets a bit irritating, but some great surf riffs in the build-up make the songs worth listening.
This re-issue (ignore the Collector's Edition tag) is remastered, and while I don't own the original soundtrack, the soundtrack sounds loud, clear, and bright, just excellently made. If your original soundtrack sounded a bit dated by know, then there's really nothing to say but get this one. Whether or not you'll like the bonus tracks and the 16-minute rant from Tarantino is up to you, but hearing these songs gloriously bright and denser than before is the sole point. Heck, getting this soundtrack and hearing this on a high-fi sound system is like polishing up and getting reunited with a lost favorite movie recently released on DVD with tons of bonus features and crazy picture, highly updated from your beloved and worn out VHS that doesn't work anymore. And if you haven't ever owned the soundtrack but found yourself getting giddy every time a song comes on, then don't delay and get this album now.
I really can't think of a reason not to get this album. Easily the most concise and longest Quentin Tarantino album ever made, with Kill Bill Vol. 1 on its heels. Should be billed as Essential. Essential I tell you! You know the meaning of essential, right?
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