Gregory Robson
06/11/09, 06:32 PM
Away We Go: Official Motion Picture Soundtrack
Record Label: Nettwerk
Release Date: June 23, 2009
The long-lasting impact of an album rests largely on song selection, segue and quality of the music. But do those rules differ when applying to a soundtrack? Away We Go is the latest film from Sam Mendes, who takes a turn from dark drama and focuses instead on comedy. Utilizing the talents of Swedish singer/songwriter Alexi Murdoch, the soundtrack is a light, uncomplicated foray into acoustic folk that is earnest, compassionate and genial.
For a film that focuses on the intricacies of life: marriage, pregnancy, childhood, employment, social networking; its most appropriate that someone as simple and pragmatic as Murdoch should lend his talents to this film. His debut release Time Without Consequence won the praise of many a critic and sat atop numerous Top 10 lists. Oft-quoted for bearing an unshakable comparison to Nick Drake and Jose Gonzales, he is fortunate to possess a warm, woody tenor that's appealing yet mildly tiring. Much like cedar or oak, his vocal tone at times appears dry and dull and were it not for some clever fingerpicking, the songs would most certainly flop.
This is exactly the problem with the first half of this soundtrack. Even though the jangly roots-rock of George Harrison's "What is Life," appears three songs in, the record is still dragged down by Murdoch's lack of pace. Seriously, Alexi, would it kill you to do something uptempo? That being said, The Stranglers' kickin' "Golden Brown," Bob Dylan's pleading "Meet Me in the Morning," and the crackling "Oh! Sweet Nuthin" from the Velvet Underground," are the album's highest peaks.
Opener "All My Days," which also served as the opener on Time Without Consequence and has been used in the film's trailer is one of the best of the early set. Murdoch's most commercial song to date is "Orange Sky," a gorgeous, romantic lullaby, which appears at the end, shortly before bonus track "Crinan Wood." Those two unfortunately make up the only consistent one-two punch on the album. Though there are three new compositions ("Crinan Wood," "The Ragged Sea," and "Towards the Sun,") only one of them is truly something stellar: "The Ragged Sea." Being that it's been nearly four years since Time Without Consequence, one can't help but be disappointed that the album features so little new material.
While Time Without Consequence was a critical darling, and his songs have appeared in commercials and movie trailers, Murdoch still hasn't made that jump to the mainstream. This may certainly change with this record. While it's not nearly as evocative or prim as his debut, it's a decent listen. Then again, does it really matter? Fueled by Dave Eggers' script, the acting talents of John Krasinksi, Maya Rudolph and Catherine O'Hara, Away We Go, is an absolute delight and one the summer's best films. And that fact alone may make this soundtrack worth holding onto.
1. All My Days
2. Blue Mind
3. What is Life (George Harrison)
4. Song For You
5. Golden Brown (The Stranglers)
6. Towards the Sun
7. Meet Me in the Morning (Bob Dylan)
8. Breathe
9. Wait
10. The Ragged Sea
11. Oh! Sweet Nuthin' (The Velvet Underground)
12. Orange Sky
13. Crinan Wood
All songs by Alexi Murdoch, except where indicated
Garden State soundtrack, Iron and Wine, Nick Drake, Jose Gonzales, Kings of Convenience, Sun Kil Moon
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/awaywegomovie)
Official Web site (http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/away_we_go/)
Record Label: Nettwerk
Release Date: June 23, 2009
The long-lasting impact of an album rests largely on song selection, segue and quality of the music. But do those rules differ when applying to a soundtrack? Away We Go is the latest film from Sam Mendes, who takes a turn from dark drama and focuses instead on comedy. Utilizing the talents of Swedish singer/songwriter Alexi Murdoch, the soundtrack is a light, uncomplicated foray into acoustic folk that is earnest, compassionate and genial.
For a film that focuses on the intricacies of life: marriage, pregnancy, childhood, employment, social networking; its most appropriate that someone as simple and pragmatic as Murdoch should lend his talents to this film. His debut release Time Without Consequence won the praise of many a critic and sat atop numerous Top 10 lists. Oft-quoted for bearing an unshakable comparison to Nick Drake and Jose Gonzales, he is fortunate to possess a warm, woody tenor that's appealing yet mildly tiring. Much like cedar or oak, his vocal tone at times appears dry and dull and were it not for some clever fingerpicking, the songs would most certainly flop.
This is exactly the problem with the first half of this soundtrack. Even though the jangly roots-rock of George Harrison's "What is Life," appears three songs in, the record is still dragged down by Murdoch's lack of pace. Seriously, Alexi, would it kill you to do something uptempo? That being said, The Stranglers' kickin' "Golden Brown," Bob Dylan's pleading "Meet Me in the Morning," and the crackling "Oh! Sweet Nuthin" from the Velvet Underground," are the album's highest peaks.
Opener "All My Days," which also served as the opener on Time Without Consequence and has been used in the film's trailer is one of the best of the early set. Murdoch's most commercial song to date is "Orange Sky," a gorgeous, romantic lullaby, which appears at the end, shortly before bonus track "Crinan Wood." Those two unfortunately make up the only consistent one-two punch on the album. Though there are three new compositions ("Crinan Wood," "The Ragged Sea," and "Towards the Sun,") only one of them is truly something stellar: "The Ragged Sea." Being that it's been nearly four years since Time Without Consequence, one can't help but be disappointed that the album features so little new material.
While Time Without Consequence was a critical darling, and his songs have appeared in commercials and movie trailers, Murdoch still hasn't made that jump to the mainstream. This may certainly change with this record. While it's not nearly as evocative or prim as his debut, it's a decent listen. Then again, does it really matter? Fueled by Dave Eggers' script, the acting talents of John Krasinksi, Maya Rudolph and Catherine O'Hara, Away We Go, is an absolute delight and one the summer's best films. And that fact alone may make this soundtrack worth holding onto.
1. All My Days
2. Blue Mind
3. What is Life (George Harrison)
4. Song For You
5. Golden Brown (The Stranglers)
6. Towards the Sun
7. Meet Me in the Morning (Bob Dylan)
8. Breathe
9. Wait
10. The Ragged Sea
11. Oh! Sweet Nuthin' (The Velvet Underground)
12. Orange Sky
13. Crinan Wood
All songs by Alexi Murdoch, except where indicated
Garden State soundtrack, Iron and Wine, Nick Drake, Jose Gonzales, Kings of Convenience, Sun Kil Moon
Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/awaywegomovie)
Official Web site (http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/away_we_go/)