Subscribe RSS
Comment RSSQuantum Of Solace Soundtrack
28.10.08 # 1:14 # Soundtrack # 10 Comments
I have heard some derision of the Quantum Of Solace soundtrack’s theme tune, by Jack White and Alicia Keys. I’ve even heard it said that Duran Duran’s theme from A View To A Kill is better. Well. Anyone who can’t see that Alicia Keys and Jack White make Duran Du-chuffin’-ran look like foppish French Dukes with synthesizers, valium habits and too much time on their hands is simply beyond reason.
Reviving Bond was a wise move, and Daniel Craig was a great choice for the tough guy Bond. In case you don’t know, the hierarchy goes like this: Connery was the best Bond, by virtue of being the 1960s Bond, Roger Moore did his English gent thing pretty well, George Lazenby was the worst Bond but in the best film, Pierce Brosnan was fairly good but in some terrible films (Christmas Jones, anyone?), and we won’t even mention Timothy Dalton (although it was the 80s so it wasn’t his fault, and he was great in Hot Fuzz). Craig comes in around the Roger Moore mark.
So, we have a tough new Bond, with pecs and everything (so that’s one up on Roger Moore), a great theme tune complete with fuzz guitar, and this Quantum Of Solace soundtrack album. A soundtrack comprising of the usual urgent and moody orchestral Bond type backing. Twenty three tracks worth (plus the awesome theme tune). But what is this for?
Are middle class media types going to have the orchestral backing from a Bond car chase as background music for dinner parties? Are they going to play Bond In Haiti as they serve the hummus?
There is, literally, one use for the Quantum Of Solace soundtrack: put it on whilst driving and imagine Bond-esque situations in your own life. Like well dressed beautiful women glancing seductively in your direction before crumbling powerless in the face of your charm, Russian heavies lurking in dark corners, mysterious Asian men hurling headwear at you as you reach for the Walther PPK that’s hidden in your briefcase between your note paper and your sandwich. Actually, that sounds quite fun. I’ve changed my mind, I’m buying it tomorrow.
And I’m thinking Henry Rollins is a shoe-in for the next theme tune.
You can buy it here
Quantum Of Solace Soundtrack (Music Score) - Track Listing
1. Time To Get Out - David Arnold
2. The Palio - David Arnold
3. Inside Man - David Arnold
4. Bond In Haiti - David Arnold
5. Somebody Wants To Kill You - David Arnold
6. Greene & Camille - David Arnold
7. Pursuit At Port Au Prince - David Arnold
8. No Interest In Dominic Greene - David Arnold
9. Night At The Opera - David Arnold
10. Restrict Bond’s Movement - David Arnold
11. Talamone - David Arnold
12. What’s Keeping You Awake - David Arnold
13. Bolivian Taxi Ride - David Arnold
14. Field Trip - David Arnold
15. Forgive Yourself- David Arnold
16. DC3 - David Arnold
17. Target Terminated - David Arnold
18. Camille’s Story - David Arnold
19. Oil Fields - David Arnold
20. Have You Ever Killed Someone? - David Arnold
21. Perla De Las Dunas - David Arnold
22. The Dead Don’t Care About Vengeance - David Arnold
23. I Never Left - David Arnold
24. Another Way To Die - Jack White & Alicia Keys
Posted by 
David Arnold’s scores for these haven’t really changed since Tomorrow Never Dies. Then again John Barry did about 40 nearly identical ones. If it ain’t broke.
Why would anybody dislike View To A Kill? It’s one of the best Bond themes. Gets you going. This one, not so. There are parts where Alicia Keys’ voice is drowned out in such a way it makes you check your speakers.
You’re just saying that because you haven’t heard the Henry Rollins version yet.
To be honest, having not seen the film and therefore not seen the title sequence, probably I can’t judge the true affect of the theme song in regard to the Bond-esque atmosphere it promotes. But as a song in it’s own right, I think it rocks. And Jack White and Alicia Keys are just stupendous people. I would marry Alicia Keys right now. Probably wouldn’t marry Jack White, but I’d be very flattered if he asked.
You disregard Timothy Dalton?? Sir, I shall fight you to the death.
The theme tune, even after repeated listenings, is disagreeable. “A View To A Kill” is a good theme tune - hell, at least it’s not “Die Another Day” by Madonna.
The Living Daylights is my favourite Bond film. It feels like it was actually written for adults and was the only one where I felt any real emotional connection. Casino Royale was good, but trying too hard - “look how emotional we are, sitting in the shower with our clothes on, licking the blood off her hands” - so forced. And I never felt for a moment that Vesper was the love of his life, wasn’t convincing.
Licence to Kill is my personal favourite - it’s the only one that allows a decent study of Bond’s character to be carried out. He gets backed into a corner, forgotten by his own country, and fights his way out. On top of that, it’s frigging awesome. Daylights is good too, but suffers from Roger Moore syndrome (evidenced by the chello case slide down the mountain.)
Casino Royale lacked the feel of a Bond movie. As good as I find Craig in the role, there was no room for the essential Englishness that makes Bond who he is. Hopefully QoS will address that.
Whoa, I can see I’m fighting a losing battle against the 80s fops that are Duran Duran. How very unexpected.
Sheridan, I agree with you about Casino Royale - the tough hard-hitting action and scaling down the stupid puns was all great, but the emotional stuff with Vespar was atrocious. And it was half an hour too long.
I just heard the Man With The Golden Gun theme song for the first time in years. Good God now THAT’S truly awful.
really, i can’t believe any of you didn’t like casino royale. i totally liked the emotional stuff because it told the story of why he “loves em and he leaves em” in the rest of his career. if he was never heart broken he’d just be an asshole, instead it’s like, he doesn’t want to get to close and thus begins the mystery of james bond the man.
as far as music, living daylights, view to a kill, casino royale and live and let die were the best
CLEARLY Goldfinger is the best theme tune.