THE SPECTACULAR NOW Original Soundtrack Review
The Spectacular Now opens in theaters this weekend. Directed by James Ponsoldt (Smashed) the film stars Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley.
I had the chance to review the score for The Spectacular Now which was brilliantly orchestrated by Rob Simonsen. Simonsen perfectly captures the story of high-school romance with his score. He has scored such films as All Good Things, Girl Most Likely, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Most recently he worked on the 2013 Sundance hits The Way, Way Back and The Spectacular Now.
I felt like I was transported back to my high school days with the sounds of the horns used in track one titled “My Name is Sutter Keely”. That track made me feel like I was at a football game right by the horns section.Horns are used a lot throughout The Spectacluar Now soundtrack. Simonsen implored including whirlies (empty vacuum hoses) mangled samples, electric guitars, bass, drums, a drunken brass band, stomps, claps and prepared piano to create a unique soundtrack for the film.
My favorite track has to be “Sutter and Amy” because of it’s use of piano and bells. The song also seems to represent the start of the romance of the two characters. The start of any romance always is good, as is this song. Another fave is “Walk in the Trees” , which uses acoustic guitar perfectly. The soundtrack perfectly blends synth and acoustic making it a wonderful blend of sound magically exploding in your ears.
The Spectacular Now Tracklist:
02. Paper Route – Rob Simonsen
03. Sutter and Amy – Rob Simonsen
04. Amy’s House – Rob Simonsen
05. IM’ing Cassidy – Rob Simonsen
06. Walk in the Trees – Rob Simonsen
07. Turn It Around – Rob Simonsen
08. Prom Flask – Rob Simonsen
09. I Want To Call Him – Rob Simonsen
10. Porch Talk – Rob Simonsen
11. Drive to Dad’s – Rob Simonsen
12. I Wasn’t Kicked Out, I Left – Rob Simonsen
13. Waiting Room – Rob Simonsen
14. Goodbye, Cassidy – Rob Simonsen
15. Leaving Her – Rob Simonsen
16. I’m a King – Rob Simonsen
17. Towards an Unknown Future – Rob Simonsen
18. Epictacular Then – Rob Simonsen
19. In the Moment- Rob Simonsen
20. It’s in the Air- Rob Simonsen
21. Song for Zula – Phosphorescent
22. Baby (feat. Dâm-Funk) – Ariel Pink
23. Wakin’ On a Pretty Day – Kurt Vile
Official Synopsis:
A24 presents The Spectacular Now, in theaters, on August 2nd. The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be available digitally and on July 30, 2013.
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