La Haine – Original Soundtrack

Proof if ever it were needed that soundtracks rarely work outside of the context of their film. La Haine is no different, with the music during the film one of the stars, but sadly the CD is sparsely populated, stylistically disjointed and padded out with music from ‘Metisse’; a film I’ve never seen. I can’t even remember most of these songs featuring and the most memorable and best track has been omitted.

The genres covered are old disco, a bit of reggae, some hip-hop and plenty of sub-standard funk. I seen to remember lots of decent French hip hop in the film, but there’s limited representation on the disk. The high points however, are as follows;

Bob Marley – Burnin’ and Lootin’

A great song that I heard for the first time in the film. A bit too catchy, but quality social conscience and inspiring lyrically.

The Gap Band – Outstanding

Quality old disco/soul track complete with vinyl crackle. Maybe I forgive them for ‘Oops Upside your Head’. (Having seen the picture of them I definitely do and also want to join the band!)

Is this actually them? I have my doubts looking at image on the track.

Sadly these guys look more likely. I'll let you decide.

Timide et Sans Complexe – Putain de Planete

Quality French hip-hop but from the Metisse soundtrack selection. Maybe I’ll give it a watch.

So a disappointing experience all round. Possibly better suited to hardcore funkmeisters than Into the Valley readers.

Celldweller – Soundtrack for Voices in my Head

I hate soundtracks and this one doesn’t change my opinion any. After his stunning debut at number one in last year’s festive fifty, I had high hopes for this offering from space rock pioneer, Celldweller. Sadly however, the whole thing falls flat on its face. It’s basically one song from the last album ‘Voices in my Head’ which is great, but I’d heard it before. And then loads and loads of chugging guitar based instrumentals.

It’s like listening to the soundtrack of some mildly engaging video game, but without actually playing the game! I’m guessing it’s a soundtrack for a mythical game that exists somewhere inside Celldweller’s head. It’s not offensive but it really doesn’t work for me.

Buy the song ‘Voices in my Head’ instead and you won’t be disappointed.

Amelie Soundtrack – Yann Tiersen

Everyone knows that movie soundtracks are usually over-rated and ultimately disappointing outside the context of their movie. I like very few, but bizarrely Yann Tiersen’s Amelie soundtrack is perhaps one of the best. It’s years since I watched the film, but this collection of largely instrumental music has a life, vibrancy and atmosphere all of its own. It’s like a slow walk through a melancholy, rural France, but not in a Switchblade Romance scenario. It would possibly be better suited as the soundtrack to Rick Stein’s cookery show when he sailed across France on that barge. Or maybe not.

This is classically tinged French quirkiness. There’s pianos aplenty, ubiquitous accordions and the odd mandolin, all arranged in plinky-plonky, wind up jewelly box tunes or romaine fairground jigs. It’s a heady combination of frenchness, jollity and something more emotive. There’s a tangible sense that when you play these songs that you are transported to another world; a world of deserted French beaches and sad seaside towns but tantalisingly of our own introspection.

The sum of the tracks is definitely greater than their individual contributions, but worthy of a mention are the morose ‘La Valse d’Amelie’, the atmospheric ‘Le Moulin’ and the timeless charms of Al Bowlly’s ‘Guilty’. Best of all however, is the beautiful piano driven ballad ‘Comptine d’un Autre Ete’, better known as the soundtrack to the short film ‘The Piano’, the track again benefits from being given an identity in its own right.

If you sometimes find yourself dreaming of drifting across France in romanie caravan, meandering from village to village, eating croissants, drinking local red wine and chatting up Madam Marsaud, then this is the ideal soundtrack for your slumbers. If, on the other hand, you are actually a Roma traveller in France at the moment, then I doubt this is an adequate soundtrack for your predicament; I suggest Rage Against the Machine instead.