I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more joyous soundtrack to a film. Okay, well there was Slumdog. There is no denying that a good soundtrack acts like an emotional guide – sometimes obviously and with great care to manipulate — other times it is subtle, unexpected and brings you to another place entirely. Karen O and the Kid’s soundtrack to Where the Wild Things Are is one of the best things about that strangely haunting, unforgettable film.
You can listen to it on the web by clicking here (via Cinemablend).
26 Responses for "The Glorious Music of Karen O and the Kids for Wild Things"
Absolutely. Best soundtrack of the year. Love “Worried Shoes,” “All is Love,” “Hideaway,” “Igloo,” “Heads Up,” and my very favorite…
“Rumpus.”
Beautiful! And I must say, if it wasn’t for Karen O being brought to my attention through this film I wouldn’t have come across the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. I know, I know… but I don’t really listen to modern music so this was a find for me! Consider me a fan.
For some reason my comment is awaiting moderation…???
Yeah, I don’t know why that is.
This movie is truly unforgettable, and my #1 of the year. I sure hope the Academy starts to recognize what a little miracle it is.
the soundtrack really is fantastic, and i think theres a lot of music in the movie that wasnt on the cd, im still processing the movie, very confused about it all, but the soundtrack is definately the best of the year thus far
My problem with the movie not the soundtrack was I expected to love it but I didn’t. I think the screenplay felt hollow in a lot of spots. And uneven in other areas.
Let’s call it like it is. It was over-hyped and over pushed by fan boy / internet circles. There’s a lot there that Spike Jonze does: the cinematography, the excellent look in capturing / creating the Wild Things. A great voice ensemble, the kid was spot on. Soundtrack was out of this world. If I go back to see it a second time it would be for the soundtrack which worked excellently and should Ms. Yeah Yeahs an Oscar nomination.
On the contrary, Bill, I don’t think it was overhyped at all. It’s a weird movie, emotionally disturbing, and it definitely goes deeper than most.
you think theres any chance for an original song nom? i think karen o and a bunch of little children performing all is love would the best thing ever. ive seen the yyy’s twice and she puts on one of the greatest shows
I agree with Sasha and the other fans. I think it’s one of my five favorite films of the year right now, and the more I’ve thought about it, the more I appreciate some of the genius that lies within it. Sure, it may be somewhat vague and it trusts it’s audience to interperet a *lot*, but it doesn’t talk down to it’s audience. And it’s been one of the more emotionally-intelligent films of the year. I haven’t been moved by a film like this since I saw P.T. Anderson’s Magnolia last Christmas.
ya sasha i never said it was overhyped, though i think i did over hype it personally, but its certainly is strange, very deep, and hard to nail down anything thats truely concrete, its something different entirely to everyone else because its all about our interpretation, thus the wide variety of reviews, and you really cant disagree with any of them because thats truely how the movie was for each of those indiviguals. It daring, and it will only improve with time i think, the music it amazing, and im wondering if cinematography and costumes maybe visual effects are going to pop up on the tracker, id actually say best film editing also, and of all the lead male performances ive seen this year records was by far the most honest. id love to see him in the mix, at least for golden globes, any possibility you think?
Love Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and loved this score. Sasha, can we expect a full Wild Things review from you at any point? I would love to hear what you thought of it (as both a mother and someone who knows what she’s talking about when it comes to films).
karen o at the oscars would make my life.
yeah yeah yeahs are one of my favourite bands – definitely my favourite with music out at the moment.
the soundtrack was perfect for the film.
Wow, this came to my recognition a couple of days ago, but this makes a lot of sense (Karen O doing the soundtrack), cause Spike Jonze has a very good connection to New York underground music since many years (Sonic Youth, for example), and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have been the “big thing” a couple of years ago.
If Karen O is invited to sing at the Oscars I´m really excited to see if she is going to wear some of those REALLY crazy stuff she is wearing in her concerts!
“cause Spike Jonze has a very good connection to New York underground music since many years”
Spike Jonze has more than just a “very good connection” to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Karen O is his ex-girlfriend.
I have to agree with OscarMovieBuff84 ……
I also found it narratively hollow & uneven. Any interaction btwn. Max & the creatures just felt so incidental & meaningless so that by the last 2 scenes, I didn’t feel any big pull/swell of emotion. None.
The acting was good. The cinematography, great. The score, yes, good – not my fave, sorry.
The costumes, great. The CGI, great.
I just wasn’t bowled over. I didn’t get to me emotionally, where it obviously is supposed to in the 2 closing scenes.
I knew I’d just watched an extremely well crafted film, but I sat there thinking, ‘Oh, so, this is it, I guess, OK’.
Sasha, where does this movie rank in comparison to The Hurt Locker for you?
@Tyler sorry but nothing released or currently in theaters is on par with The Hurt Locker. The best film to date.
We’ll have to wait for Precious, The Lovely Bones, Up in the Air, A Single Man, and possibly Nine.
And many people are inclined to disagree with you, OscarMovieBuff84, so don’t pass it off like fact. If I’m being completely honest, I would put A Serious Man, Bright Star, Star Trek, District 9, Where the Wild Things Are, Inglourious Basterds, Up, possibly Julie & Julia – ALL above The Hurt Locker at this early point in the season.
Oh, and (500) Days of Summer above it as well. Don’t know how I forgot that one.
@ Oscar Movie Buff. Hurt Locker is a fine film, but isn’t as good as Basterds, Up, or Where the Wild Things Are… Need to see it again.
My absolute favorite film and favorite soundtrack of the year, and it’s not a surprise that those two go hand in hand. It did last year with WALL-E, too. And for that reason I think this film will only get one or two technical nods, maybe one technical win. It’s too deep, too disturbing, and too much like actual art instead of either a) Oscar-bait, or b) an “in” film that promotes some message the Academy insists on honoring over the quality of the film. I just wish this wasn’t the case. If I saw Where The Wild Things Are up there in the 10 Oscar nominees for Best Picture I could die happy.
Oh joy, The Hurt Locker talk. This year’s most overrated indie film, up there with The Wrestler for being praised for its indieness and not its relatively lacking story and utter mundane-ness. It was “good” but it wasn’t great, and was far from brilliant or Oscar-worthy.
now Me you cant say that as fact, though i would agree the hurt locker isnt as good as people say it is, but that doesnt mean it isnt, but i do think the wrestler was fantastic. to each his own, the beauty of art man, thats why we all love it, it means something different to us all, so you cant say one is better then the other, you can only have an opinion, and thats all it is, an opinion
Or you can listen to the music at awardcontenders.com, they have had the Karen O. song “All is Love” as their predicted best song winner for several weeks. The music is fun, innocent and a perfect match for the film.
Anyway, I must say this is an awesome soundtrack, don’t know about best of the year but it’s certainly up there. Karen O and that brilliant child chorus managed to add real buoyancy and childlike wonderment to the film. Hope to see it nominated for sure.
I thought the film was solid and the soundtrack okay. I do think it’s fair to say the film was overhyped. Beyond the fanboy element, Jonze received a ton of press prior to the release of the film, largely praising him for his bold vision, etc.
I think the movie is good, not great. I think it’s certainly an interesting movie about a very specific time of a child’s life. In a weird way, I felt the same way about The Squid and the Whale when I saw it. I can see why there are people who find the film brilliant and click with it. I’m just not one of them.
As for scores, I actually think The Informant! has the most underrated score of the year.
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