Jarhead [Explicit Lyrics][Soundtrack]

Thomas Newman (Composer)

Product Details

• Composer: Thomas Newman
• Audio CD (December 6, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics, Soundtrack
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000BVRM1S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,076 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For his third collaboration with director Sam Mendes (after American Beauty and The Shawshank Redemption), composer Thomas Newman has come up with one of his finest scores. The music mixes modern atmospheric quasi-rock touches with Middle Eastern influences (with particularly great success on the tracks "Welcome to the Suck" and "Zoomies."). The latter manifest themselves in both the beats and the instrumentation--the credits include soloists on exotic instruments such as the bowed cumbus (a type of banjo-like lute) and the processed xaphoons (a sax made of bamboo). All the more jarring, then, when the CD's handful of songs pop up. (It's quite a jolt to hear Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry Be Happy" after four eerie instrumental tracks.) The other song picks are obvious but well chosen: T-Rex's "Bang a Gong (Get It On)," "Naughty by Nature's "O.P.P.," Public Enemy's "Fight the Power," and Tom Waits's "Soldier's Things." Still, it's Newman's work that propels this CD, not the pick-up songs. Surprisingly, Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries," which figures in one of the movie's most memorable scenes (when soldiers watch Apocalypse Now), isn't included here. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Missing Theme Song - but otherwise not bad, March 1, 2006

By	Thomas E. Henderson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you've watched the previews for this film, you're likely expecting a song called Jesus Walks by Kanye West to be on the soundtrack but it's not there - very annoying. But otherwise it's a pretty good CD of music to listen to while you work out or drive fast.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fine score, but a consumer warning for the CD, January 19, 2006

By	Rob T-2 (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews

Thomas Newman's original music for JARHEAD is not only typically daring with many unconventional sounds (utilizing samples, electronic treatments and exotic percussion), but one of his most stirring, rock-influenced efforts as well (as with the opening track, "Welcome to the Suck"). At first I thought there were no melodies as memorable as "Dead Already" from AMERICAN BEAUTY or "Road to Chicago" from ROAD TO PERDITION, but the 3/4-time march used in both "Raining Oil" and "Desert Storm" has grown on me. Of course the CD is recommendable for Newman's score alone. But...

...while one doesn't buy a CD of this nature primarily for the extra songs, one does expect the extras to be competently presented when they appear. So I was taken aback to hear Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" at a faster tempo and higher pitch than usual, as though mastered from a sped-up tape. I can't think of any intentional reason for this, so I'm assuming it was a mistake, but either way I found it not only annoying in itself but because of "Fight the Power"'s thematic significance, with its reference to the Bobby McFerrin tune heard earlier in the movie. ("'Don't Worry Be Happy' was a number one jam/Damn if I say it you can slap me right here".)

So then, while I like the Thomas Newman score a lot, I'm docking the CD a star for the sped-up "Fight the Power". Caveat emptor.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect for the film, loses points as a cd, December 22, 2005

By	Theowne - See all my reviews

Make no mistake - Jarhead proves Thomas Newman's abillity to write music for film. He is not making the music in order to show off his amazing talents, he is making the music so it is perfect for the film. Whereas some composers might score depressing scenes with grand sweeping movements trying to make themselves look like complex composers, Newman knows what will enhance the scene and what won't, and what can convey the message required.

Ultimately, this describes Jarhead perfectly. I have seen the movie and music is seamless and perfect for it. For the most part, there is a sonic texture created, with guitars and drums to represent the bravado of the characters. If you are a fan of Newman's stirring orchestral works this is definitely not something you would like. Newer fans of "American Beauty" and the like will find things to enjoy here, but not in as vibrant or pleasing a way as in that album. The score on it's own is just not as exciting or involving as it could be. It is interesting in it's own right, but not very pleasing to hear. However, there are many good tracks interspersed throughout the score to take you to the good spot.

Overall, Jarhead warrants a 4.5/5 for the film, but on a cd, it's score drops to 3/5. It is pleasant at times, and mostly an interesting CD, but there are too many Newman masterpieces to consider this one high on your buying list. Then agan, if you are a Newman fan, this CD should satisfy you're urge to see what the guy is up to. Final score? Three out of five.