Zodiac [SOUNDTRACK]

Original Soundtrack (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 27, 2007)
• Original Release Date: February 27, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Lakeshore Records
• ASIN: B000N4R8LW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,677 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
As befits a movie set mostly in the late '60s and early '70s, this album, spanning rock, jazz and soul, is made up of tracks from that time; the happy surprise is how utterly smart the selection is. (David Shire's score is available on a separate CD.) With heavy irony, since the movie is about the hunt for a serial killer, the CD opens with Three Dog Night's cover of "Easy to Be Hard" from Hair ("How can people be so heartless? How can people be so cruel?"). This is in keeping with the overall vibe, which emphasizes the period's more sinister underbelly--not so much the flower-power vibe as the way the country crash-landed with Vietnam. The most startling pick may well be the Animals' apocalyptic 1968 epic "Sky Pilot," which includes a bridge that mixes diving-bomber noises, earth-shaking explosion rumble, bagpipes (!) and gunfire, before going off into romantic ballad mode complete with string and horn sections. Lynn Anderson's country-pop hit "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden" suddenly becomes a taunt, while those who only know Santana from his recent lite offerings will be shocked by the manic fervor and darkly sexual drive of "Soul Sacrifice," from his debut album. As for Donovan's psychedelic "Hurdy Gurdy Man," which plays a big part in the movie's narrative, it sounds positively terrifying in this context. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!, March 4, 2007

By	C. Housepian (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Really an AWESOME soundtrack from an AWESOME film. On top of the greatness that is Fincher's new film "Zodiac" we get this compilation of great music. The tunes perfectly complement the late 60's and early 70's and genuinely capture the angst and fear as well as the openess and nievete that is so perfectly captured in the film. Donovan's song Hudy Gurdy Man is the song from the film's trailer and the grea Marvin Gaye tune Inner City Blues is a great addition to the time lapse of the Trans America Building being added to the San Fransisco skyline. If you like this era of music or liked the film, you'll love this soundtrack.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zodiac Soundtrack is a keeper, March 12, 2007

By	Eddie Lancekick "A Regulator" (Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The film "Zodiac" was great, but what can also definitely be complimented is the soundtrack. The thirteen songs here did a great job in helping depict the period of the film's late sixties/early seventies environment. Even if you did not care for the film, or do not care to see it, I think if you like some of the music from this particular era you will find enjoyment from this soundtrack as I did.

Many of the songs on here are lesser known in the realm of music that lasted from that area. Others are more mainstays that have stood the test of time. "Sky Pilot" by Eric Burdon and the Animals is an evident signature sound that several of the other songs carry, with soft vocals and often broody, dark melodies. Others come from the soft rock and even Jazz realm. Star performers Isaac Hayes, Santana, and John Coltrane also have singles on the album. Track four is the groovy tune "Bernadette" by the Four Tops. The poetic lyrics and beautiful voice of Lynn Anderson is found here with the song (I never promised you a) Rose Garden. My own personal favorite in the realm of cool jazz is found here with none other than Miles Davis on track twelve with "Solar". For those familiar with the film, or even the trailer that advertised it's theatrical opening, the atmospheric tune "Hurdy Gurdy Man" by Donovan is found in the mix as well, and is powerful and daunting.

Soundtracks can be hit and miss when it comes to picking certain songs to represent a certain mood during a film, let alone try to be fair in it's musical diversity while still representing a specific time period. With Zodiac however, I feel they did a great job in their selection of bands and artists and their respective songs that are presented on this soundtrack. It is a bit spooky that there are thirteen songs on the soundtrack listing, but considering the film and what it was based on, why be superstitious? My Zodiac soundtrack arrived on time and in perfect condition.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Songs from the past, April 6, 2007

By	Mason Vaquero "Engineer" (Colorado) - See all my reviews

The zodiac soundtrack works well for those that may like a trip down memory lane. Films about the Vietnam War (Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, etc.) will normally represent this time period's top 40 style of music fairly well, and the Zodiac soundtrack is no different. I think it almost goes a step above, however, because it not only gives us a view of different songs from the late sixties, but also some artists who were notable and famous as well. Miles Davis, Four Tops, Santana, and John Coltrane are just some of the many artists and groups featured on this soundtrack. It may not have an extreme connection to the film like some soundtracks do, but it surely is a nice hits list of great music from this time period. My Zodiac Soundtrack did arrive with a small crack in the back of the jewel case, but it is of little concern to me and I would not hesitate ordering a CD from Amazon again. I'm going to give it a five star rating without hesitation or regret.