MattA75's Full Review: Almost Famous by Original Soundtrack
In the 1990s, soundtracks became big business. Studio execs realized that by throwing big name artists onto the albums, there was money to be made, especially if the songs weren't available anywhere else. For the most part, soundtracks no longer served their original primary purpose: for the music to fit the story and and add to the setting and atmosphere of a scene.
Of course, there are exceptions, and thankfully, writer-director Cameron Crowe is one of them. While some may say he used the above formula for his movie Singles, others would say the music used best described what was happening in Seattle in 1992. Or, to quote the Mudhoney song on said soundtrack, "It's all overblown."
With the soundtrack to his latest film, the nothing short of amazing Almost Famous, Crowe again seems to be following what has become industry standard. After all, with a short list of The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Cat Stevens, the soundtrack could read as a "who's who" of 1970s music. The difference? Crowe makes it all fit all too perfectly in his film, and this soundtrack paints vivid pictures of the movie and the many memorable scenes held within it.
It's probably hard to believe that in the 31 years since their debut album came out, Led Zeppelin has never appeared on a soundtrack album before this. It's probably even harder to believe that it's not Whole Lotta Love or Heartbreaker being used. Instead, Crowe uses a soft acoustic ballad that is nowhere near well-known entitled That's The Way, a song that ranks among Robert Plant's best lyrical works.
Also notable is the inclusion of the instrumental Who track Sparks from their legendary Tommy album. As those opening notes hit, you feel like 11 year old William Miller in the movie, listening to it for the first time and just being transported to a different place. And Sparks may well be the best introduction one can have to Tommy if you are unfamiliar with it.
The undeniable centerpiece of the album, however, is Elton John's Tiny Dancer, a song that draws you in and won't let you go. And much like the band in the movie, you won't be able to resist singing along, even if you, like myself, could never picture yourself listening to Elton John. This is addictive rock and roll at it's best, with a perfect melody and wonderful harmonies.
Just as addictive is Nancy Wilson's (wife of Crowe and one of the founders of 70s supergroup Heart) guitar instrumental piece Lucky Trumble and Cat Stevens'The Wind. Stevens' piece is truly remarkable, it's gentle and melodic, and even though it clocks in at barely over a minute and a half, it's still a great song.
And just in case you're wondering, that cool Stillwater song Fever Dog is here as well. The people who actually perform it are an all star lineup that includes Wilson, Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Marti Frederiksen, Jon Bayless, and Ben Smith.
If all that isn't enough to make you buy this soundtrack, you'll also get songs by Rod Stewart, The Allman Brothers Band, David Bowie, and Thunderclap Newman.
Do yourself a favor. Go see the movie, and then relive it over and over again with this terrific soundtrack that I've run out of terms to describe.
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