Music From The Motion Picture: Once (Review)

[Neil Vagg]

Thought provoking folk for the MTV generation.

For those who haven't seen the film, "Once" - written and directed by John Carney - is an Irish musical inspired film based in Dublin. The film stars Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, real life musical collaborators, as struggling musicians in a tale of unexpected romance. Originally released in 2007 the film is currently available on DVD here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-Glen-Hansard/dp/B000ZK9SQM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1220781486&sr=1-1
Irglová and Hansard also provide all but one of the songs for the films original soundtrack which comprises of 13 acoustic guitar led, folk tinged and emotional ballads reminiscent of contemporary artists like Willy Mason and Damien Rice.

The majority of songs on the soundtrack are performed by Hansard, showcasing the emotional journey of his character through the film, but there are also several duets with Irglová, who also performs one track solo
This isn’t a soundtrack designed to accompany a film and enhance the viewing experience, this soundtrack is designed to tell the story as entirely separate entity and it does so successfully, proving this could easily be an album in its own right.
It’s almost impossible to pick standout tracks beyond opening track “Falling Slowly” (winner of the “Best Original Song” award at the 2007 Academy Awards) as the album features impressively strong vocals and song writing ability. Irglová lead duet “If You Want Me” is another highlight, a haunting tale of loneliness and separation that could easily bring the listener to tears.
The pace of the album picks up briefly for “Trying To Pull Myself Away” a song that deals with the break-up of a relationship but brings an upbeat nature to an overall slow paced album.

Having now listened to the soundtrack but not seen the film I will be rushing out to buy both the DVD and the soundtrack.

You can buy Music from the Motion Picture: Once here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-Motion-Picture-Glen-Hansard/dp/B000UTZ510/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1220781510&sr=1-1

Tracklist:
1. Falling Slowly (Album Version) Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
2. If You Want Me (Album Version) Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard
3. Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy (Album Version) Glen Hansard
4. When Your Mind's Made Up (Album Version) Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
5. Lies (Album Version) Glen Hansard
6. Gold (Album Version) Interference
7. The Hill (Album Version) Marketa Irglova
8. Fallen From The Sky (Album Version) Glen Hansard
9. Leave (Album Version) Glen Hansard
10. Trying To Pull Myself Away (Album Version) Glen Hansard
11. All The Way Down (Album Version) Glen Hansard
12. Once (Album Version)Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
13. Say It To Me Now (Album Version) Glen Hansard