The Royal Tenenbaums (Collector's Edition)

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Free Music Notes for The Royal Tenenbaums (Collector's Edition)

Free Music Review: It's So Cold In Alaska
Hit: 5 Stars

In the liner notes, Wes Anderson describes Mark Mothersbough's soundtrack as "charmed, magical, and sort of innocent." I think that is damn near perfect. Take a listen to Mothersbough's Canon and you will agree. For the most part though, the Motherbough tracks on here are only short interludes.

This CD is taken up by the various other artists from Bob Dylan to the Ramones. Ironically, this soundtrack includes not only post-Velvet Undergrounds Nico, but also a post-Nico Velvet Undergrounds tune. All three of those tracks are terrific. Elliot Smith's Needle in the Hay is the song that stood out to me in the movie. I had no clue who it was by, and it was one of the main reasons for me purchasing this soundtrack. To echo another reviewer's sentiments, I too could listen to this song all day long. The Ramones cut, Judy is a Punk, is not bad, but not the best Ramones song out there to be sure. It is not a low point (there is no low point in this soundtrack) but it certainly comes blasting out at you after Scrapping and Yelling. The Vince Guaraldi Trio's Christmas Time is Here fits in perfectly with Mothersbough's score. It is perfection set to music. Bob Dylan is of course represented here, with a song I'm sure few people have ever heard, and certainly not your typical Dylan. Interestingly, I didn't even like Paul Simon before this. To tell the truth I still don't, but Me and Julio was used to such great effect in the movie that I find the song more than listenable now. Overall this score plays much like the worlds best mix tape.

Highlights are many. Nico's two tracks are great (although the uninitiated might have to get used to her voice). The Ysaye Quartet's String Quartet in F Major, Mothersbough Canon, Police and Thieves, Needle in the Hay, and Christmas Time is Here. However, the lesser songs will not once make you reach for the skip button.

It bears mentioning that there are two versions of this soundtrack, the normal version and the Collector's Edition. I suggest that you make the effort to find the Collector's Edition. Many songs are left off the normal version, such as the version of Hey Jude as well as Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard. For full effect these songs must be included.

This is a soundtrack that has not only found it's way into my CD player time and time again, but when it does get in there it goes on repeat. This is perfect music to listen to while doing menial chores, reading, surfing the net, sitting back and relaxing in front of a fire place, or driving your car. It is also perfect for the Christmas season, as it seems to capture the magical quality of this time of year perfectly. Buy it as a gift and your relatives will thank you!

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