Various Artists - Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof OST (Maverick)
3/5
By: Michael Cragg
Six films into his career and it seems the wind may have dropped out of Tarantino's sails, such has been the critical and commercial failure of 'Death Proof', his half of a 'Grindhouse' double-bill. In America, where Tarantino can usually command a healthy box office turnover, the original 'Grindhouse' combo barely (!) made $20 million, resulting in it being split into two films in the rest of the world, with Robert Rodriguez' half, 'Planet Terror', due to arrive in early 2008.
'Death Proof', the film, is flawed and more hit and miss then Tarantino's previous work, but there's one saving grace, and that's the music. Tarantino has always had a knack of being able to weld images and music with an unnerving flair, and his skill lies in the mixing of classic cuts with undiscovered gems. Music isn't merely used as the wallpaper of a scene, but actually features within the fabric of the script. In 'Death Proof' this synthesis happens less then you'd like, but there's a scene in which one of the characters is discussing a rumour that Pete Townsend was going to leave The Who to join Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich (!), whose song they are listening to as they drive to their imminent death. The eventual crash is spectacular, and as the song reaches its climax just as the two cars collide it helps create a brilliant cinematic moment.
The joy with any Tarantino soundtrack is discovering some unearthed classics, songs such as 'Down In Mexico' by The Coasters or the brilliant, insanely catchy 'Chick Habit' by April March. The only downside is that he chooses to place these songs next to snippets of dialogue, which would be fine if the dialogue was as good as his previous work, but the Eli Roth and Michael Bacall segment is a particular nadir that out of its context just sounds misogynist. 'Death Proof', the album, works best when you just appreciate the songs for what they are and don't have to think about the accompanying film too much.
Watch the trailer to 'Death Proof' HERE.
Artists in this article: Various Artists
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