Soundtracks, Part 3: Cliff Martinez, Solaris
Posted on | June 19, 2007 | 6 Comments
I started this series back in February, and then I kind of ran out of steam. Well, I’ve been listening to some more soundtracks lately, and so I thought this is as good a time as any to pick back up and put out part 3.
I don’t really remember how I came across the Solaris soundtrack, but I’ve been listening to it for well over a year now and it’s one of my favorites. I haven’t seen the film, but the music Martinez wrote and produced for it is full of wonderful tension. It feels mostly like something is always rising, and we never really get to the point where anything is resolved.
Despite this fact, I do find it to be a record that’s quite comfortable to listen to, whether it’s droning away unnoticed in the background, or I’m actively listening to it on a stereo or through headphones. It’s particularly nice early in the morning, just before it’s completely light out. A real nice listen all around. Highly recommended. Stay tuned for more soundtrack reviews, as I’ve got a few more queued up.
Related
Soundtracks, Part 1: Michael Brook, An Inconvenient Truth
Soundtracks, Part 2: Hilmar Orn Hilmarsson & Sigur Ros, Angels of the Universe
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6 Responses to “Soundtracks, Part 3: Cliff Martinez, Solaris”
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February 9th, 2009 @ 3:17 am
This is the best example of the new school film score writing. Like Isham and Santaolalla. Looking forward to more features on this blog!
April 7th, 2009 @ 5:24 pm
Hello ! ;)
I am Piter Kokoniz. oOnly want to tell, that I like your blog very much!
And want to ask you: will you continue to post in this blog in future?
Sorry for my bad english:)
Thank you!
Piter Kokoniz, from Latvia
May 17th, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
Solaris OST is brilliant, one of my fav’s too. You should really see the movie, i think you’ll love it. The soundtrack perfectly accomplishes the the scenes and gives this smooth tension (it’s hard to describe)…somewhat depressing too…
Thanks for this post on Solaris.
July 3rd, 2009 @ 11:18 am
I totally agree that this is an excellent soundtrack. Martinez also did NARC and Wicker Park, both good soundtracks, among many others. I don’t care for the Kafka soundtrack at all. There are a few others that aren’t very good too. But overall, he’s a great composer that I think could use another Solaris quality soundtrack in his collection. If you liked this soundtrack, you’d also like “Distance” by Marconi Union (as well as their upcoming album “Tokyo”), “Equitorial Stars” by Brian Eno and Robert Fripp, and music by Loscil (a few from the top of my head).
July 17th, 2009 @ 4:09 pm
Everybody should check his “First Snow” and “Espion(s)” soundtracks! I love them!
July 20th, 2009 @ 4:27 pm
His soundtrack to sex, lies and videotape is still his best. A really tremendous ambient accomplishment.