The Music or the Misery?

John Cusack stars as Rob Gordon in "High Fidelity", an adaptation of Nick Hornby's novel of the same title. In the interest of full disclosure, Hornby is my favorite author, and High Fidelity is my favorite of his books. So many times when Hollywood adapts books to film something crucial is lost and the story just isn't the same. Not with this film; they got it right; the only major change being the venue switch from London to Chicago...but even that works like a charm.

The film's soundtrack is an integral part of the story. After all, it's the story of a pop-music super-fan. The soundtrack had to have depth and variety, and it had to reflect Rob's personal musical taste. From start to finish the soundtrack album is packed with both well-known and more eclectic cuts from various artists.

What's so amazing about this soundtrack is that it enhances the story so much to the point that years later I can hear the songs and immediately see the scenes in my head. In the film's plot music plays such an important role that selecting the songs for the soundtrack must have been a daunting task. The soundtrack's mission was well accomplished.

The opening track is "You're Gonna Miss Me" from the 13th Floor Elevators, a semi-hit in its time, but undeniably catchy and in your face. Then the listener gets hit with The Kinks, The Velvet Underground and "Most of the Time" by Bob Dylan. Track eight is "Dry the Rain" by the Beta Band. If you haven't listened to this song, do yourself a favor and go find it, either on this soundtrack or on their album "The Three EP's." It's mellow-fusion-jazz-rock at its finest. I defy anyone to listen to that track all the way through and not have it resonating for a full two hours afterward.

Right after the Beta Band track you get some Elvis Costello with "Shipbuilding," a personal favorite of mine. Perhaps the real gem on this record is a Marvin Gaye song sung by none other than Jack Black. In the film, Jack's character Barry is a latent front man of a band, and he gets the opportunity to sing for an audience. He seizes the opportunity and belts out a soulful and beautiful version of Gaye's classic "Let's Get It On." The idea seems comical to the point of fiction, but Black's rendition of this song, while not better than Gaye's, certainly can hold it's own quite well.

Stereolab, Royal Trux and more Velvet Underground lead the soundtrack to its concluding track "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)" by Stevie Wonder. It's the film's last song and ties up the film and Rob's story brilliantly. It's a great example of what makes Wonder such an icon. His vocals soar over the chorus that would leave even the coldest of hearts pumping hot, vital blood.

It seems these days that a lot of times the music in a movie's soundtrack seems to be picked based on popular recognition, and not on whether the songs have any importance to the film. "High Fidelity" is a film who's soundtrack is so important that it's clear the filmmakers took their time and found songs whose importance first was to enhance and drive the story. The film's soundtrack is in itself a work of art, and therefore it's my favorite soundtrack of all time.

What's your favorite movie soundtrack or score? Drop me a comment, and let me know!

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