When we sit down to watch a film it’s never the soundtracks we intend to fall in love with, however, some of our favorite movies are not only cinematic geniuses they’re compilations of brilliant sounds and songs. We tried not to go into the world of musicals, nor will we include the film scores of Star Wars, LOTR or Harry Potter because, c’mon, they’ll win every time. Instead, we sat down and came up with some of our favorite soundtracks to movies; tunes that can be enjoyed even if the movie itself isn’t accompanying them.

soundtracks

Hanna, directed by Joe Wright came out in 2011 to critical acclaim. She’s fifteen, has been raised by a single father and she’s a natural killer. Even better than the movie itself is the phenomenal soundtrack written by The Chemical Brothers. Substantially more mellow and rhythmic than their previous work, this soundtrack takes you on a roller coaster of emotion. While it does pick up in some spots, it keeps you on a nice and easy plane that’s lovely to listen to. With no lyrics, just melody, the Hanna soundtrack is perfect for crafting, reading or yoga.

Easy Rider, the 1969 film by Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper takes us on a tour of the dregs of America. Two men on motorcycles, an open highway and the free spirit of the 60’s/70’s make this film an instant cult classic. Of course, the music for this movie is everything you’d want out of the gritty roadster, cowboy boot wearing, acid poppin’ film that it is. We get the best out of what we now consider classic rock. With tracks from Hendrix, Steppenwolf and Roger McGuinn this soundtrack is meant for road trips and back wood camping. Also, for all you trivia nerds, the music alone cost filmmakers more money than it took to create the entirety of the film itself!

soundtracks

Before Avatar, if you mentioned the big blue people most would think of Fantastic Planet. A vastly political and philosophical film, Fantastic Planet was released in 1973 in Czechoslovakia. The film itself should be required watching and has won numerous awards over the years. The music is a certainly notable, with a mix of eerie, funk and lighthearted flute you’ll find yourself lulling off to sleep and then being jolted awake and flailing your body around. Composed by Alain Goraguer, a French pianist, you’ll find his other work nothing like what you hear in the movie. It’s hard to find, but if you come by this one you won’t want to pass it up.

By a better known composer, the soundtrack for Blade Runner is a personal favorite. Vangelis not only created the music for Blade Runner, he also did music for numerous other films such as Chariots of Fire, 1492: Conquests of Paradise and also Carl Sagan’s Cosmos series. This soundtrack goes beyond enjoyment. It’s a psychological mind warp that leaves you feeling like you’ve just traveled dimensions. It’s dark and melancholy and full of pleasure. Without writing a whole article just on this masterpiece, we encourage to enjoy it yourself. Have you been looking for a vinyl copy? Be sure to check our “new” vinyl selection to pick up your own.

soundtracks

We may have mentioned the Blade Runner soundtrack as being dark and eerie and although it’s a favorite, it has nothing on the 2001 A Space Odyssey. Produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1968, the movie and soundtrack leave you looking over your shoulder and maybe even having an existential crisis. With an abundance of amazing composers and musicians this soundtrack opens a whole new world to your musical knowledge. It’s the kind of playlist you’d hear in a haunted house and it’s fantastically wonderful.

We recommend you stepping up your movie soundtrack game. We offer soundtracks in forms of CD’s, vinyl and sometimes even old-school cassette tapes. A highly overlooked art form, soundtracks are the ultimate reminisces of your favorite movies and some of the best playlists you can get! Tell us your favorites and stop in to get their physical copies today.