Another Way to Die (Limited Edition 7 inch vinyl single)

Jack White (Performer), Alicia Keys (Performer)

Product Details

• Vinyl (September 30, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: J Records
• ASIN: B001FT9MRW
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #88,357 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Another Way To Die, Another Way To Die (Instrumental Version): A collaboration between Jack White and Alicia Keys, 'Another Way To Die' is the theme song to the upcoming James Bond film 'Quantum Of Solace'. Available on strictly limited 7" vinyl.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Jack White Delivers the Best James Bond Theme Song in nearly 30 Years, November 6, 2008

By	The Americano - See all my reviews

Imagine the pressure of being commissioned to compose the theme song for a new James Bond movie. Expectations are enormous and for good reason: Monty Norman's iconic original theme for Dr. No with Vic Flick on guitar, John Barry's Goldfinger featuring Shirley Bassey's knockout performance, Paul McCartney's reflective ballad to explosive show stopper Live and Let Die, Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager's gorgeous Nobody Does it Better are giant pillars amongst the Bond theme songs. The best you could possibly hope for is fifth place!

Like many of Jack White's compositions, Another Way to Die is heavily influenced by the guitar riffs of Jimmy Page (in this case he borrows hooks from Whole Lotta Love, ironically, a song lifted from Willie Dixon's You Need Love). Based on a simplistic B-G-E progression, Another Way to Die has the required components: staccato horns, strings and hints of Barry's past Bond themes. If those elements were removed, it's a White Stripes song. Personally, I'd like to hear a version of the song with only Alicia Keys on vocals. (Note: Keys does not play the piano on this. It's Nashville chartreuse Laura Matula adding the singular notes that punctuate White's creeping lyrics like a ticking bomb).

On this 7" vinyl version, there's little depth to the sound, which is what you might expect from a record. It's as if it was recorded analog (liner notes claim reel-to-reel), then converted to digital, compressed and then compressed again to sound like an mp3. It's par for today's fill-the spectrum-to-the-limit production standard, but what's the point of releasing it on vinyl if you don't take advantage of the medium's sonic potential? The flip side features an instrumental version of the tune, not included on the album's soundtrack.

I'm giving Another Way to Die three+ stars for three reasons. It has a stylistic sex appeal to it, with Jack White and Alicia Keys delivering sparring vocals - the first duet of the series' theme songs. White's minimalist approach combines familiar elements of John Barry's themes with hip-hop vocal phrasing over White's also-familiar White Stripes sound. Although Sir Ian Fleming might be rolling over in his grave, it is modern and fitting for the Daniel Craig Bond era. Finally, and perhaps the most noteworthy, Another Way to Die features legendary Stax recording artist Wayne Jackson on trumpet. Nicely done, Jack. Bonus star: This limited edition is pressed on gold vinyl. Cool.

5.0 out of 5 stars The wonder of White, February 9, 2009

By	Lars Taudahl Jørgensen "taudahl" (Denmark) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This man, Jack White, can do no wrongs.
Even when he does Bond, no one can touch him.

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect!, January 2, 2009

By	T. On - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

this is an incredible james bond theme. its unforgettable!
the drumming is first class. and everything about it is great.

the colored vinyl is great as well.