All Time Great
by weepstah (January 30, 2006)
Almost endlessly inventive, Rumblefish is one of the truly unique soundtracks ever recorded and launched Stewart Copeland on a very successful career (among other gigs) in film scores. This soundtrack was written during the time when The Police were coming apart and all the members were working on other material. It's obvious that Copeland had a large number of ideas that couldn't be used in a rock band setting, and most of them burst forth on this record. Pretty much everything is thrown into the percussive fray, including banjos and typewriters. Really, it's a must listen for any soundtrack fan. The best soundtrack of the 1980's and despite some very stiff competitions it ranks in my overall top 3 soundtracks ever.
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One of the most unique film scores of all time.
Like apparently many other people, I purchased the soundtrack in 1983 on the strength of Stewart Copeland's name (and some rave reviews of the soundtrack), without having seen the movie. And, like many others, I wore out my vinyl album and had to buy the cassette, etc. It's that good. The music is unique, but very approachable. My personal favorite track is the bluesy "Our Mother is Alive"; it's both desperately sad and somehow optimistic. The other top track is "Brothers on Wheels", which famously incorporates the sound of a ticking clock and an industrial pile-driver into the percussion, backing up a bouncy acoustic-guitar melody. But even the "happy" tracks are tinged with sadness.
I eventually did see the movie, and I do love it, but be warned: The score itself is actually way undermixed. At times you can barely hear it, which seems like an unconscionable choice on the filmmakers' part. The movie also uses alternate versions of some tracks, so even if you already own the video, do yourself a favor and buy the soundtrack on CD.
Desert Island Pick
I watched this movie eight times before I realized that it was more for the music than anything else. I bought the soundtrack on vinyl and wore that out. I bought it again on cassette and wore that one out in my Walkman. Get the CD - now.
A milestone - simply fantastic
I have never seen the movie, don't really want to because the breathtaking music on this cd has created incredible images and moods in my mind for years. It is far from a simple "soundtrack CD" -- it is an incomparable percussive symphony bursting with energy and imagination. Like others, I wore out my original LP version long ago and it stands as my favorite work of Stewart's career. Highest recommendation.
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