Filmic but average offering from Vancouver's Art of Dying
Have you ever noticed that some film franchises use a certain type of sound in their soundtracks? You know what I mean, the happy go lucky, light-hearted romp that is Shrek uses eclectic, bouncy pop propelling the action and comedy forward along with some credible indie tracks from the likes of Jeff Buckley and Eels (in the fleeting sombre moments). The Spiderman trilogy however, has used the heavily emo-tive sounds of Dashboard Confessional, Taking Back Sunday, Snow Patrol and several dreary, middle of the road sounding bands on their soundtrack, all too non-descript to mention. It stands to reason then that a good soundtrack must be representative of what is happening in the film it is part of. Well, if the highly dramatic sounding Art of Dying were to showcase this album on a soundtrack, it probably wouldn't sound out of place in the next instalment of Spiderman.
Here's the pitch Mr Rami. We open up with everything seemingly being well in the world; trees are green, children are playing and every other cliché you can think of. Suddenly from nowhere comes a massive explosion –BANG! – then another –BANG!- and yet another – BANG! Peter Parker is walking down a street when he hears the commotion and suddenly disappears, the camera pans up and we see Spidey taking to the skies.
We enter the credits with 'I Will Be There', graphics swish about on screen in an exciting fashion in time with the fast moving, driving nature of the track, getting the audience ready for the action to come: an impressive intro.
The usual action antics and fall out ensue: Mary Jane has had enough of his obsession with who is behind the mystery explosions and has left him, his Aunt is ill and his powers are failing. The strains of the pumping 'Get through anything' plays out as he realises that he must push himself to his limit, win back the girl and go and visit his Auntie and take her some grapes and flowers.
More action based stuff ensues and our hero is captured and tortured, his lifeless body comes into shot with the slow, moody burn of 'Car Crash' fading in, mirroring the camera's snakey movements as it moves around our hero. He wakes unable to move.
Of course our hero eventually triumphs against the baddies and all becomes well with the world, the bad people have been slain in some impressive way, decapitation maybe and our hero is reunited with his love. The rock balladry of 'I Will Be There' plays out on the credits, and would almost certainly be a number one in the US charts.
Although this isn't the most original album ever and there are a few duff tracks, it does have a certain filmic quality about it. Despite the overly metal sounding name, this is quite middle of the road in terms of the music but is an ok effort and in the right context, such as in a film, it would lift the average into another level.
Mr Rami: please make cheques payable to Kate Sharp c/o Room Thirteen.