A surprise hit at the Cannes film festival last year, the film portrait of French footballer (aka soccer player) Zidane looks fascinating, and sounds even better. The instrumental score is by Mogwai (yep, originally named after the Gremlin) and impressed me in its lush sensuality and moody atmosphere.
Having not heard Glaswegian band Mogwai before (I’ll admit, maybe not being up to the challenge of getting into an all-instrumental band) when this arrived in the mail I expected the soundtrack to be triumphant and rousing. You know, maybe like that one song they always play during the seventh-inning stretch with the thumping drums and the kazoo (doo doo-doo-doo-doo-doo HEY! duh-doo-doo-doo).
What I got instead was this gorgeous, sweeping soundtrack that conjures up images of floating away, drifting, or even drowning. There’s a taut darkness strung through every song — reminding me a bit of Massive Attack or the brooding melancholy of Jesus & Mary Chain. The album also definitely has its sexy moments, like the downtempo tension-filled scorchers on the Out of Sight soundtrack (trunk scene anyone?). It’s richly layered, revealing new depth with each listen. I recommend it as one of the best soundtrack scores I’ve heard in a long time.
I also need to see this movie! One synopsis reads: “Follow one of the greatest soccer players of the modern era for a full 90-minute match between Real Madrid and Villareal. Scottish film director Douglas Gordon and Philippe Parenno exquisitely train 17 different 35mm cameras on one of this century’s most creative athletes, Zinedine Zidane. While cameras capture Zidane in ‘real time,’ Gordon and Parenno’s artfully crafted debut feature is anything but a typical sports movie.”
I’ll admit to villifying Zidane because of the way he acted in the World Cup (not that Materazzi was blameless) and because he was on “The Other Team” (I was wholeheartedly pazzo for Italia). However, I understand his talent and his legacy and should learn more about why he is so beloved. With a soundtrack like this, I think I would definitely enjoy the viewing.
It’ll captivate you. Then if you’re into this instrumental rock stuff — check-out M83 if you haven’t yet. M83 has EPIC sound — they are french, instrumental experimental electronica rock … yeah, that’s about how I’d summarize them
“I Don’t Know Much About”…the trunk scene, but I still think “Witness” wins this category. Judging by Kelly McGillis’ expressions there is a fine line between erotic and queasy if there is one.
One of my personal favorite instrumentals this past year was Rodrigo & Gabriela, “Diablo Rojo” and “Tamacun”. Perennial instrumental favs are Don Byron (great myspace with GREAT vintage videos) and Eddie Palmieri. I’m going to give Magwai another listen along with M83. Thanks for the recommendations.
Zidane is a living god to most of the world and for good reason. He is widely regarded as one of the top 5 greatest soccer players that have ever lived. It’s no wonder that Mogwai have lavished all kinds of love on him. shame on you for villifying the great Zidane but you’ve redeemed yourself. Materazzi is a lowlife degenerate scumbag who got what he deserved. Personally i thought the headbutt was the sexiest thing i’ve ever seen: the good guy stands up to a cowardly,racist, misogynist bully. he should have been given a commendation not a red card.
Name: Heather Browne Location: Colorado, originally by way of California Giving context to the torrent since 2005.
"I love the relationship that anyone has with music: because there's something in us that is beyond the reach of words, something that eludes and defies our best attempts to spit it out. It's the best part of us, probably, the richest and strangest part..."
—Nick Hornby, Songbook
"Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel." —Hunter S. Thompson
Mp3s are for sampling purposes, kinda like when they give you the cheese cube at Costco, knowing that you'll often go home with having bought the whole 7 lb. spiced Brie log. They are left up for a limited time. If you LIKE the music, go and support these artists, buy their schwag, go to their concerts, purchase their CDs/records and tell all your friends. Rock on.
A surprise hit at the Cannes film festival last year, the film portrait of French footballer (aka soccer player) Zidane looks fascinating, and sounds even better. The instrumental score is by Mogwai (yep, originally named after the Gremlin) and impressed me in its lush sensuality and moody atmosphere.
Name: Heather Browne
Zidane’s the best soccer player ever…
Mogwai’s the best “soundtracker” band ever…
the dream team…
Emmanuel — May 17, 2007 @ 11:10 am
Yes, awesome soundtrack! But you really need to get in to Mogwai, then!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_NrZCZwlhc This is a great place to start! Cheers
Emelie — May 17, 2007 @ 11:12 am
Heather — you need to hear more mogwai. They are unbelievable. Just buy ‘Mr. Beast’ their latest — http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Beast
It’ll captivate you. Then if you’re into this instrumental rock stuff — check-out M83 if you haven’t yet. M83 has EPIC sound — they are french, instrumental experimental electronica rock … yeah, that’s about how I’d summarize them
Steve — May 17, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
“I Don’t Know Much About”…the trunk scene, but I still think “Witness” wins this category. Judging by Kelly McGillis’ expressions there is a fine line between erotic and queasy if there is one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42LxmnkfRHo
One of my personal favorite instrumentals this past year was Rodrigo & Gabriela, “Diablo Rojo” and “Tamacun”. Perennial instrumental favs are Don Byron (great myspace with GREAT vintage videos) and Eddie Palmieri. I’m going to give Magwai another listen along with M83. Thanks for the recommendations.
debs — May 17, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
also check out The Fountain soundtrack from Mogwai and Kronos Quartet. Also check out the track Nick Drake.
Jason — May 19, 2007 @ 7:36 am
Zidane is a living god to most of the world and for good reason. He is widely regarded as one of the top 5 greatest soccer players that have ever lived. It’s no wonder that Mogwai have lavished all kinds of love on him. shame on you for villifying the great Zidane but you’ve redeemed yourself. Materazzi is a lowlife degenerate scumbag who got what he deserved. Personally i thought the headbutt was the sexiest thing i’ve ever seen: the good guy stands up to a cowardly,racist, misogynist bully. he should have been given a commendation not a red card.
nina — May 26, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
I recommend looking for the Mogwai song ‘Auto Rock’ …. it’s the piece that first got me interested in them!
Timothy — March 12, 2008 @ 12:57 am