The Company You Keep (Soundtrack) by Cliff Martinez Review

The Attention You Keep

Review by Richard Buxton

2011’s DRIVE was certainly a milestone in the career of composer CLIFF MARTINEZ. The playlist for Nicolas Winding Refn’s savagely smooth drama burst into musical circles beyond film scores with its criminally cool tones, raising the profile of MARTINEZ dramatically in the process. THE COMPANY YOU KEEP is unlikely to make such musical waves - largely due to the film itself - but it is another indication that CLIFF MARTINEZ is clearly molding his own niche within film scoring and is continually improving with each score.

READ THE FULL SOUNDTRACK REVIEW

Synecdoche, New York by Composer Jon Brion

Director Charlie Kaufman's film SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK has been labeled one of the more challenging film's of 2008 to grasp. The first time director, himself, called the film his version of a horror movie. Dealing with the subject matter of "death" rarely makes for simple viewing and that querky undefinability will certainly find representation in the film's score. Brought on to write the musical score for this mind-bending film is composer JON BRION, who seems to be the de facto choice when it comes to providing the score for movies in this vein. His work for MAGNOLIA and ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND both earned him Grammy nominations. Below is the full press release:

JON BRION CREATES ORIGINAL MUSIC FOR SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK SOUNDTRACK
AVAILABLE ON LAKESHORE RECORDS

RELEASE DATES:

DIGITAL: iTunes, Amazon Digital on October 21st

IN STORES CD: November 11

Los Angeles, CA – Singer, songwriter and composer Jon Brion (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Magnolia) composed original music for the soundtrack for SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK. Lakeshore Records will release the soundtrack in stores on November 11, available now via iTunes and Amazon Digital.

Jon Brion received a Best Score nomination at the World Soundtrack Awards for the score for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which was co-written by his Synecdoche, New York director Charlie Kaufman and that film’s director Michel Gondry. He recently composed the scores for Step Brothers, The Break-Up and scored and wrote songs for I Heart Huckabees. Additionally, Brion composed scores for Paul Thomas Anderson’s Punch-Drunk Love (2001) and Magnolia (1999, Grammy nomination for Best Score), and Hard Eight (1996).

Highly in demand as a producer and studio musician, Brion has collaborated with such artists as Kanye West, Dido, Macy Gray, Rufus Wainwright, The Crystal Method, Jude Cole, Susanna

Hoffs, Sam Phillips, and The Eels. In addition to his collaboration with top artists, he is an indie music darling and is renowned for his regular Friday-night gigs at the Los Angeles club Largo, which features covers and original songs, a variety of instruments and the occasional guest.

SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK is the directorial debut of two-time Academy Award®-winning writer Charlie Kaufman (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich). The film boasts an all star cast, including Academy Award®-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman, two-time Academy Award®-nominee Samantha Morton, Academy Award®-nominee Michelle Williams, two-time Academy Award®-nominee Catherine Keener, two-time Academy Award®-nominee Emily Watson, two-time Academy Award®-winner Dianne Wiest, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Hope Davis, and Tom Noonan.

Sony Pictures Classics presents SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on October 24, 2008, and theaters nationwide throughout October.

The Express: The Ernie Davis Story - Music by Mark Isham

As the NFL season is hitting its stride, another inspiring football-flick hits the big screen. Accompanying the intriguing story of Ernie Banks comes composer MARK ISHAM's appropriate score. While it's no Trevor Rabin inspiration bonanza, it certainly is one of Isham's more "lively" scores in a while. The prolific Lakeshore Records has released the soundtrack. You can read the full press release below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAKESHORE RECORDS TO RELEASE THE SOUNDTRACK FOR THE EXPRESS
BASED ON THE TRUE STORY OF ERNIE DAVIS

Soundtrack Features Original Music by Mark Isham

(October 6, 2008- Los Angeles, CA) – Lakeshore Records will release the soundtrack for THE EXPRESS THE ERNIE DAVIS STORY, available via iTunes and Amazon Digital on September 30, 2008 and in stores on October 7th. The soundtrack contains original music composed by Mark Isham (Reservation Road, Crash). The film is based on the true story of Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

From his days as a pioneer of electronic music in the '80s to his current status as a world-renowned film composer, Mark Isham continues to be one of the most prolific and provocative artists on the scene. As an accomplished trumpet player, Isham’s solo recordings span from electric jazz and classic acoustic jazz to New Age and ethnic world music. His musical signature is evident in his memorable scores for such notable films as Crash, Bobby, The Valley of Elah, and The Black Dahlia, with its critically lauded jazz noir soundtrack.

Isham has composed over 75 film scores including Eight Below, The Cooler, A River Runs Through It, Blade, Nell, Men of Honor, Reservation Road, Lions for Lambs, and Miracle. He recently received the Henry Mancini Lifetime Achievement Award from ASCAP.

THE EXPRESS THE ERNIE DAVIS STORY follows the extraordinary life story of Ernie Davis (Rob Brown). His fight for equality and respect forever changed the face of American sports, and his story continues to inspire new generations. Raised in poverty in Pennsylvania coal-mining country, Davis hurdled social and economic obstacles to become one of the greatest running backs in college football history. Under the guidance of legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid), he became a hero who superseded Jim Brown’s achievements and set records that stand to this day.

As the growing civil rights movement divided the country in the 60s, Davis became a symbol for achievement that transcended race. Refusing to flinch from others’ prejudices, he achieved all his goals – until he faced a challenge that would make most men crumble. He joined the ranks of black pioneers by teaching a generation tolerance, inspiring a movement that smashed barriers on and off the field.

Universal Pictures presents THE EXPRESS THE ERNIE DAVIS STORY in theaters on October 10, 2008. THE EXPRESS THE ERNIE DAVIS STORY original soundtrack on Lakeshore Records will be available via iTunes and Amazon Digital on September 30th, and in stores on October 7th.

The Duchess by Rachel Portman

Now, I usually avoid movies set in the Georgian or Victorian era like the plague and my gut reaction to THE DUCHESS was no different. After watching the trailer and listening to composer RACHEL PORTMAN's unassuming but heart-felt score; however, I may just have to break with my somewhat narrow-tradition.

Seeing Keira Knightly in such garb is hardly groundbreaking (although I much rather see her in such a role than, say, Kirsten Dunst or Hilary Swank). What is surprising is that composer Dario Marianelli isn't penning the score, but the selection of Rachel Portman is a solid one. Mixed with some great photography and a decent script, THE DUCHESS may not end up being half bad, but don't expect me to make seeing these overstuffed-whig-laden-flicks a habit. The original soundtrack will be released by LAKESHORE RECORDS on September 16, 2008.

You can check out the trailer below or

Pre-order THE DUCHESS soundtrack here.

Exclusive Soundclips from WANTED by DANNY ELFMAN!

We are happy to bring you another glimpse into the world of WANTED. Thanks to Lakeshore Records and Cinemedia Promotions, we deliver four exclusive sound clips from DANNY ELFMAN'S upcoming score. A little Mission Impossible, a little Spiderman, a little grunge! Eflman fans rejoice! After you have a listen, let us know what you think here.

Check it out the streaming clips here!

The Strangers - Music by tomandandy

No... that's not Batman's Scarecrow. There's a new baghead-baddy in town...

Is your Summer going a little too normally? Getting over-run with too much epic, Summer, blockbuster music? Ah well then THE STRANGERS soundtrack by tomandandy might be just what you are looking for. If endless atmostpheric dissonance is your choice for good times in the heat of Summer, than Lakeshore's release of THE STRANGERS will make your day. Below is the official press release:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW HORROR FILM THE STRANGERS SOUNDTRACK TO BE RELEASED BY LAKESHORE RECORDS

Soundtrack Recording Features Original Music By tomandandy

(May 20, 2008- Los Angeles, CA) – Lakeshore Records will release the soundtrack for THE STRANGERS on May 20th via iTunes and in stores on May 27th. The soundtrack contains original music composed by tomandandy.

Andy Milburn and Thomas Hadju are tomandandy. The duo met at Princeton University, where they began writing music together. They would write short pieces which they dubbed ‘blasts’ comprised of bits of disjunct sounds. Though they did not translate when performed in concert halls, these blasts were perfect when combined with images on TV. Soon tomandandy moved to NY and began writing for TV and film. Their first feature film soundtrack was 1994’s KILLING ZOE for writer/director Roger Avary. Their film credits include THE HILLS HAVE EYES, THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, THE RULES OF ATTRACTION and ARLINGTON ROAD.

Lock the doors. Assume you're safe. The horrifying events that took place in the Hoyt family's vacation home at 1801 Clark Road on February 11, 2005, are still not entirely known.

Champagne. Rose petals. Candlelight.

It was supposed to be a night of celebration for Kristen McKay (Liv Tyler) and James Hoyt (Scott Speedman). But after leaving a friend's wedding reception and returning to the house, everything had collapsed for the happy couple. Then came a 4 a.m. knock on the door and a haunting voice. Is Tamara here? Writer/director Bryan Bertino explores our most universal fears in The Strangers, a terrifying suspense thriller about a couple whose remote getaway becomes a place of terror when masked strangers invade. The confrontation forces Kristen and James to go far beyond what they thought themselves capable of if they hope to survive.

Rogue Pictures presents THE STRANGERS, in theaters on May 30, 2008. THE STRANGERS original soundtrack on Lakeshore Records will be available on iTunes on May 20th and in stores on May 27, 2008.

Dead Head Fred Score Available on iTunes

For those of you who are fans of one of the more popular Sony PSP titles, DEAD HEAD FRED, or of the work of composers ROD ABERNETHY AND JASON GRAVES (aka Red Note Audio), the official soundtrack has recently been released on iTunes (hopefully a CD release will follow).

Here is the full, official 411:

DEAD HEAD FRED™ ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK NOW AVAILABLE ON iTUNES®

ORIGINAL MUSIC BY AWARD-WINNING COMPOSERS ROD ABERNETHY AND JASON GRAVES RELEASED AS DIGITAL DOWNLOAD BY LAKESHORE RECORDS

Los Angeles, CA – September 18, 2007

Rednote Audio (www.rednoteaudio.com) and Lakeshore Records (www.lakeshore-records.com) today announced the original soundtrack to the PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) third person action game Dead Head Fred™, developed by Vicious Cycle Software, Inc. and published by D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA), is now available at the Apple iTunes® music store.

The Dead Head Fred Original Soundtrack includes nearly 40 minutes of music encapsulating the unique, often sublime atmosphere of the game’s ‘twisted noir’ setting. Written and produced by veteran video game composers Rod Abernethy and Jason Graves, the game’s eclectic score blends cinematic orchestrations with a dark panorama of jazz, southwestern guitar, ambient, rock fusion and other seemingly disparate music styles into a cohesive and alluring listening experience.

“When we went to Rednote Audio we already knew a lot about Dead Head Fred and Hope Falls but we didn’t know what Fred’s world sounded like,” said Adam Cogan, Game Designer, Vicious Cycle Software, Inc. “Luckily, Rod Abernethy and Jason Graves at Rednote Audio did. They far exceeded our expectations and managed to create scores that are every bit as original and distinctive as Fred is.”

Created specifically for the PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) system, Dead Head Fred draws players into an original 1940’s inspired alternative universe where players experience an innovative and refreshing twist on action gameplay as cranium-impaired hero Fred Neuman, collecting, upgrading and strategically switching his head with the heads of enemies to battle through a story of revenge and redemption.

Mark Reis, Senior Sound Designer at Vicious Cycle Software, Inc., added “Working with Rod and Jason is always a joy and their contribution to Dead Head Fred added flavor and depth that complemented the sound design and voice acting. The edgy soundtrack is a perfect accompaniment to the twisted noir world of Dead Head Fred.”

For more information on Dead Head Fred, visit the official game web site at www.deadheadfred.net.

About Rod Abernethy and Jason Graves

Rod Abernethy and Jason Graves of Rednote Audio create award-winning music for video games, film and television. Their video game credits include BlackSite: Area 51, Transformers, Star Trek: Legacy, Blazing Angels, King Arthur, Zathura, Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows, Rise of the Kasai and The Hobbit (“Soundtrack of the Year” – 2004 Game Audio Network Guild Awards). Rod Abernethy’s work in video games began by collaborating with veteran film composer Elmer Bernstein on the video game Wild Wild West, The Steel Assassin. Since 1998, Rod has created scores for over forty video games. Early in his career, he recorded and collaborated with many well-known producers including legendary Paul Rothchild (The Doors, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt) and David Lord (Peter Gabriel, Tori Amos, The Pretenders). Working in many major studios in the U.S. and U.K., Rod has recorded for Warner Bros., Elektra, Atlantic, and MCA Records. Jason Graves has studied with film composers Elmer Bernstein and Christopher Young, as well as Hollywood orchestrators.