The Royal Tenenbaums

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Free Music Notes for The Royal Tenenbaums

Free Music Review: As Good an Album as the Movie
Hit: 5 Stars

The previous reviewer of this album brings up a good point: that there are very good, and important songs in the movie that are not on the soundtrack. I was worried about this when i bought the album, because the ommitted tracks (2 by the rolling stones, 1 by paul simon) were ones I loved in the film. However I have found that the soundtrack as an album is one of the most satisfying musical experiences i've ever had, even without these tracks.

For those of you that have the Rushmore soundtrack, you have already tasted Mark Mothersbaugh's work, and all I have to say is that his work for Tenenbaums is as strong as his Rushmore work. For Tenebaums he has brought in a number of new instruments, and the larger sound works very well.

As for the other tracks on the album, i would have to say i would buy this disc for the Nico tracks alone. Previously I knew of her from The Velvet Underground and Nico, but her folk/pop work here is really beautiful and moving. Among the other tracks are amazing folk pieces from Elliot Smith, Nick Drake(a personal fave), Emitt Rhodes, and The Velvet Underground, as well as higher octane pieces by The Clash and The Ramones that are really great.

One of the most interesting songs in both the movie and soundtrack is Christmas Time is Here, by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, and of the Peanuts Christmas special fame. The song is so iconic of the Peanuts Christmas that you would think it wouldn't work in the film, but it does, as well as fitting in beautifully on the soundtrack.

Finally the two non-Mark Mothersbaugh instrumentals. The first is String Quartet in F Major by the Ysaye Quartet, it is such a beautiful classical piece, and fits in so well with the Mothersbaugh instrumentals that I almost mistook it for one. And finally, a Bob Dylan instrumental called Wigwam, not known to me. The song is a loud brassy piece that I wouldn't have expected from Dylan, but again, as with all the songs on this album, I love it.

The album as a whole is a beautiful moving experience, and i feel that it was designed to be as such. For those of you who buy it, make sure to relax and take in all of it. Enjoy!

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