Sociality

Check the twenty-five most played tracks on my ipod, and you will see some live Ween tracks, a few songs from Nick Caves 'Murder Ballads', and a slew of pieces from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' soundtrack for 'The Social Network'. The score is pretty amazing. It's dark, different and stands as a great piece of sonic entertainment, independent of the David Fincher film. Reznor and Ross mix delicate piano pieces with with bassic, rolling synth samples, expertly layered to give the tracks weight and depth. There is even a slight retro 16-bit gaming feel lurking in some of the tracks, such as 'Intriguing Possibilities and 'In Motion'. You will even find a rendition of Edvard Griegs 'In the Hall of the Mountain King', done with a dark, eighties, electronica feel, that Fincher cued his regatta race scene to.

It's pretty wonderful when an artist you love, like Reznor, streches his wings and does something so unexpected like this score. I've been listening to it almost obsessively lately. I would have to rate it highly among my favourite 'left of centre' film scores. It's totally original, and Reznor and Ross are even getting some very well deserved recognition from Hollywood, with a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination. I can't recommend the album enough for any fan of dark electronica.

If you want some alternative and different film scores, there are several others that step away from the typical 'orchestral' score, also created by well know artists, not normally recognized for writing film music.

There Will Be Blood - The story of an oil tycoon slowly losing his grip on sanity throughout the movie was scored by Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood. He captures Daniel Plainview's greed and mania with seething violins and strings. This is a score that will immediately grab your attention sounds totally unique.

Fight Club - Written and performed by the Dust Brothers, this a cool score. It thumps along with an almost electronic, dance music tempo, mixed with a dark, synth undertow. This is a score that doesn't go along with the program. It's as different and brilliant as the David Fincher film.

Into the Wild - A folksy, rootsy score, written by Pearl Jam front man, Eddie Vedder. This score is understated and fits the film perfectly. Director, Sean Penn, gave Vedder almost free reign over the soundtrack, which helps drive the story about the American wanderer, heading into the wilds of Alaska.