Fahrenheit 9/11 [EXPLICIT LYRICS] [IMPORT] [SOUNDTRACK]

Jeff Gibbs

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 2004)
• Original Release Date: June 25, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics, Import, Soundtrack
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B0002ZMIVM
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #225,022 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Michael Moore's indictment of the Bush administration's post-9/11 fearmongering and rush to war in Iraq was the most unlikely blockbuster of its crucial election year, a human-scaled, deeply patriotic American reflection that became the most successful documentary in history within days of its release. Its soundtrack is arguably the most understated, if shrewdly effective, component of Moore's potent agitprop. Composer Jeff Gibbs' brooding synth washes give the score an appropriate center of gravitas, lending an even more ironic tone to the almost obscenely bright pop and rock chestnuts (The Go Go's "Vacation," Joey Scarbury's "Theme From Greatest American Hero," REM's "Shiny Happy People," Elmer Bernstein's timeless theme from The Magnificent Seven) Moore uses to skewer his targets. Perhaps most notable is the chilling use of Arvo Part's Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten to underscore the film's stark, restrained evocation of the horrors of 9/11. Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" closes matters out with a blast of bracing, if ever cynical, hope. --Jerry McCulley

Product Description
One of the most controversial and provocative films of the year, Fahrenheit 9/11, the biggest box office grossing documentary, is Academy Award winning filmmaker Michael Moore's searing examination of the Bush administration's actions in the wake of the events of 9/11. No matter which side of the fence you are on...this film creates a springboard for reflection and debate. This Fahrenheit 9/11 Original Soundtrack includes critical key songs from the film and film score.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Beware, Leaves One Out!, October 10, 2004

By	Diana B Serafini - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is so typical for soundtracks lately to leave out the best songs or scores of the film. This one is no exception! I very much wanted to hear the song that plays over the opening credits and the "Congressional Recruitment" scene. It is omitted from this otherwise great soundtrack. Studios need to start including all major works from films to make whole a "soundtrack."

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, October 5, 2004

By	Aleksander Tatyanov "Alexei" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This soundtrack is the perfect compliment to Fahrenheit 9/11. It stands well on its own, meshing such pop-culture hits as the GoGo's "Vacation," and REM's "Shiny Happy People," as well as the numerous instrumental tracks that made this film so memorable. Highlights no doubt include "Weapons of Deceit," "All They Ask," and the timid (and telling) "Bush Waits... And Waits."

Regardless of whether you agree with the film, this soundtrack gives the listener a veritable two-fer, mixing emotional and somber instrumentals with invigorating vocal pop tracks.

"Rockin' in the Free World" indeed!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A reminder of how we need political and moral justice, January 4, 2005

By	Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The bulk of the CD consists of instrumental music from Jeff Gibbs, which is mood-setting synth music. "The Un-President" was used in the opening of the movie, when Gore had justly won the 2000 election, only to have victory snatched from him. The stark grim piano track, "Bush Waits...and Waits" was used where the unpresident merely sat in his chair after getting news of the second plane hitting the WTC, and pondering who did this? There is some Philip Glass-style synth music in both "Weapons of Deceit" and "Deserter." Both have the same sound, except for the more techno electronica flavour of the latter.

There are two other instrumentals aside from Gibbs'. One is Paarvo Jarvi's funereal and emotional rendition of Estonian composer Arvo Part's "Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten" used during the 11 September segment, the sight of ash and debris floating down like gray snowflakes from the sky. The other is Elmer Bernstein's theme to the Magnificent Seven, used to depict Afghanistan as an example of U.S. cowboy diplomacy, starring Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Powell, and Tony Blair.

"All They Ask" is taken during the final segments of the movie, where Moore praises the young men serving in the military. "All they ask is that we don't put them in harm's way," he says in the voice-over. "Will they ever trust us again?"

Now for the pop/rock songs. The Go-Go's' "Vacation," the title from their second album, was used to show what Dubya did after his poll numbers went down. Cue scenes at the ranch. Eric Burdon's "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" from the 1960's was used in the scene describing how the Bin Laden family were the only ones allowed to leave by plane during 12-13 September 2001 while millions of Americans were stranded.

The relationship between the Bushes and the rich Saudi oilmen shows them to be "Shiny Happy People," sung by R.E.M. and Katie Pierson of the B-52's. This was played where Poppie is shaking hands with the Saudis and saying how it's a happy reunion with good friends. The point being how the rich are shiny and happy, but what about the rest of us?

I wonder how Jimmy Pop feels about young American soldiers using his group the Bloodhound Gang's song "Fire Water Burn" while they are destroying Baghdad. The part the young soldier quotes is "we don't need no water, let the MF burn. Burn MF Burn." Later in the movie, this song is used when the Iraqis take to the streets, dragging and later displaying the mutilated corpses of US soldiers.

J.J. Cale's "Cocaine" only got used for a few seconds, but that was during the segment where Moore discusses Dubya's altered air force records. "If you wanna get down on the ground" can have connotations of how Bush was grounded along with James R. Bath for not reporting for their physicals while in the Texas Air National Guard. However, I cannot recall when Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" was used.

Using Joey Scarbury's bubbly pop of "Believe It Or Not," during the scene of Bush proclaiming victory over Iraq aboard the aircraft carrier is clearly meant to evoke anger among those of us lefties. This is the theme song to the short-lived TV series The Greatest American Hero. The Greatest American Hero? Him? A joke surely, yes? I thought so.

Played over the credits is Neil Young's jamming rocker "Rockin' In The Free World." A great song yes, but given the finale, using the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" would've been more appropriate, but Pete Townshend's refusal made that impossible.
Not a complete soundtrack as the themes from Dragnet and Peter Gunn aren't included, but it's for a worthy cause and movie. This CD should have been reviewed before Election Day, for which I apologize, but maybe this will serve as a reminder of the importance of voter participation.