What are the best Soundtracks and Scores of 2009?

Since the whole world seems to be getting in on the precursor thing, I figured I'd do an announcement of my own, this one on the music in films this year. Consider it a mini article exclusive to the blog. Enjoy!

The Best Movie Soundtracks and Scores of 2009

As a change of pace, I thought I’d delve into the world of music for a bit and go over what soundtracks and scores really made their mark this year. This is (for the most part) independent of how good or bad the film is, just how good the music is (though good integration into the film doesn’t hurt). We’ll kick it off with the top 10 soundtracks of the year, and then move on to the top 10 scores of the year. The top songs mentioned in the soundtracks all tend to fit into good points in the individual films, but that’s coincidence as much as anything else. Now, enough talk, let’s get this thing started!

The top 10 Soundtracks of 2009

1.(500) Days of Summer

Playing a lot like a mix tape of songs that fit the various points of a relationship, this soundtrack perfectly captured that feeling of how music can make you love someone more, or hate someone more, or hate yourself. The best track is Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap, but Us by Regina Spektor and There is a Light that Never Goes Out by The Smiths are excellent too. Overall, this is the best soundtrack of the year.

2. Crazy Heart
A movie wrapped around music (and at times, the writing of it), the film gives context to country music in a way that increases the power of the lyrics to levels you may not anticipate being possible. The song The Weary Kind is absolutely incredible, especially in the context of the movie, but Fallin’ and Flyin’ is fantastic as well. Honestly, every song is gold.

3. Funny People
Not many people noticed, but the music in Judd Apatow’s latest is rather great, fitting well enough into the story that you rarely notice it’s there. He’s able to take some rather obvious cues and not make them sound cheesy, which is an accomplishment. The best song on the soundtrack is Keep Me In Your Heart by Warren Zevon, but Numb as a Statue (also by Zevon) and Carolina In My Mind by James Taylor work quite well too.

4. Pirate Radio
I don’t think any other movie this year had more music in it, and few had better music than this one did. It’s all classic rock from the time period of the flick, but it’s all great songs that are pretty recognizable. My top pick from the soundtrack is Elenore by The Turtles, but a solid choice is also Father and Son by Cat Stevens.

5. Away We Go
Alexi Murdoch provides a wonderful and quiet soundtrack to most of this quirky film. Each of his songs feels like it fits in perfectly with the song that came before it, making it an enjoyable and soothing listening experience. The best song of his is Orange Sky here, but All of My Days is close behind.

6. Where the Wild Things Are
Karen O. and The Kids do a great job giving this deep movie even more meaning. The songs don’t hit you during the film, but afterwards, you remember them. Upon repeat listening, the best of the bunch is All is Love, but Hideaway is a real good one to check out too. Look for this movie to show up again in the Score section.

7. Up in the Air
The reason that this film gets in is due to what I feel is the best song of the year. It’s Help Yourself by Sad Brad Smith, and not only is it perfect for the movie, it’s also just a wonderful song in its own right. There’s an interesting cover of This Land Is Your Land, but Help Yourself makes this one of the best soundtracks of the year.

8. Nine
This soundtrack would be higher if not for one thing, which is that none of the songs, with the exception of one, last in your mind at all. That song is Cinema Italiano, but for the most part, the songs are all decent enough for the movie, but fail to have any staying power, which is unfortunate. Perhaps it was unfair to expect the levels of Chicago, but still, this is one of the 10 best soundtracks of the year. Forgive my quibble, fans of the soundtrack.

9. Adventureland
Another movie that uses its period setting to a musical advantage, there are some very good 80’s songs to be found here. The best of the bunch is Satellite of Love by David Bowie, but the son Rock Me Amadeus by Falco gets enough play in the film that it’s in your head when the movie ends.

10. Whip It
The high energy of the movie is reflected in its soundtrack. No one song really stands out, but they all meld together to form a cohesive group. If I had to pick one song that stands out, it’d be Sheena Is a Punk Rocker by The Ramones, but I recommend watching the film to properly experience the songs at their best.


The top 10 Scores of 2009

1. Moon
Clint Mansell is one of the best composers working today, and he proves it with his haunting score. The mood of the movie is consistently increased and cultivated by his score, making a great movie even better. Mansell’s best score is for The Fountain, but this is right behind it. This is also by far the best score of the year.

2. Inglourious Basterds
By far the most unique score of the year, taking a number of different cues, Quentin Tarantino has formed a score that needs to be heard to be believed. It’s essentially its own hodgepodge of past war movie scores. I’m at a loss for exactly how to properly describe the score, except to urge everyone to listen to it, if they haven’t done so already.

3. Star Trek
Michael Giacchino (a name you’ll be seeing again in this article) did some very interesting things with this score. At once both unique and instantly recognizable, this is a great sci-fi score that makes a large scale movie feel even bigger. It’s pure movie magic to listen to this one.

4. Invictus
While the film is on less sturdy ground with its choices of song, the piano score provided by Clint and Kyle Eastwood is very nice and some of the best music that Eastwood has ever composed. It lays a nice foundation that elevates some of the power of the film without being too overt, which the songs are. Eastwood is always solid with the piano, and here is no exception.

5. Avatar
An epic film deserves an epic score, and James Horner certainly provides that here, in spades. While it’s not exactly his career best work, it’s very solid and fits in perfectly with the film at hand. It’s an audio treat to go along with the visual treat that plays in front of you (hopefully in 3-D). James Cameron knows what he’s doing, and he and Horner certainly got what they wanted here.

6. Brothers
This is an incredibly low key score, one that you barely notice, but it elevates the drama in the film, giving it slightly more power than it might normally have had. That credit goes to Thomas Newman, and he takes what otherwise might have been a hackneyed (or more hackneyed, to some) story and gives it some punch. It’s really a rather good, if subtle, job.

7. The Lovely Bones
Despite some of the issues that film has (depending on who you talk to), one of the strength of the movie is the score by Brian Eno. A haunting story needs a score to match, and this one is spot on for those specific purposes. The score for The Lovely Bones is quite lovely indeed.

8. Up
Remember Michael Giacchino? Well, he’s back with his score for this Pixar flick. While not quite on the level of his score for Star Trek, it’s still the best score for any animated film this year. No matter where the story turns, the score is more than capable of following, and it’s a great score for a great cartoon.

9. The Informant!
There’s something that’s a whole lot of fun about what Marvin Hamlisch did with this score, something that both fits the movie and aptly separates itself from a film that not everyone really warmed up to. It’s very unique and unexpected, something I always appreciate in a score. Regardless of the film, the score is a pleasure to listen to.

10. Bright Star
This score has a really classical feel to it, something that composer Mark Bradshaw needed to do in order to make the music fit the poetry of the movie. He definitely succeeded here, and the beauty of Keats’ words comes out in this music. The score is what I remember most about the film, and that’s always good for a composer in my book.


What are your favorite soundtracks and scores from 2009?