3. Tron (1982) by Steven Lisberge and Tron Legacy (2010) by Joseph Kosinski
Very Different, same essence. Both movie directors decided to invite regular electronica artists for the projects (Wendy Carlos for the 1982 Tron and Daft Punk for the 2010 Tron Legacy) and pair them with philharmonic orchestras. You should listen to the first for its weirdness and full of pop songs, and the second for its fantastic blend of electronics and orchestral music.
Great Tracks:
1) “Magic Landings”: Noises and noises, from both the orchestra and the synths. Serves Tron really good.
2) “Dezzered”: Theme song for the Tron Legacy Movie, short and consistent, basic Daft Punk with the Disney feel.
2. Cool World (1992) by Ralph Bakshi
Cartoons and live actions characters together in “Roger Rabbit” style, but with the most insane acid trance and hard techno tunes you could dream (for the early 90s). As Brad Pitt (Frank Harris) and Gabriel Byrne (Jack Deebs) enter the Doodles’ Cool World, great aesthetics dance along the cult classics from the 80s and 90s, and some unknown music too. In this case, the soundtrack exceeds the movie.
Great Soundtracks:
1) “Ah-Ah (Mix 1)” by Moby. The early Moby: So clubby, so fast, so loud, so dangerous. This song gives us a clear sight of what the early raves years sounded like.
2) “Play With Me” by Thompson Twins. So sexy, provocative and hypnotic it can only belong to the Cool World.
1. Party Monster (2003) by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato
Fun, young, gay, full of energy and full of drama, this film has no meaning without the great compilation of dance/disco/trance hits on it. Just like the songs, the movie leads to a world where partying and drugs are more important than being happy: in the world of the “Club-Kids” death can also be fabulous. Several songs were part of these people’s lives.
This soundtrack is so good you can take it to a party and don’t skip a single song. Great producers and musicians like Marilyn Manson, Ladytron, Miss Kittin, Nina Hagen and Vitalic are part of this compilation. Yes, the documentary is better, but this soundtrack peaked at number 21 on the US Billboard Dance/Electronica Albums on 2003.
Great Tracks:
1) “Money, Success, Fame, Glamour” by Felix da Housecat vs. Pop Tarts. Made for the movie, uses actual footage from interviews to Michael Alig, this song teach us all what are the important things in life.
2) “Get Happy” by Happy Thought Hall. A happy song? You be the judge.
Honorable Mention: Koyaanisqatsi (1998) Godfrey Reggio
The only documentary on the list is also the non-electronica movie of the list. Scored by Philip Glass, no words are needed when you experiment a soundtrack of this measure. The bittersweet feeling of how the world is unbalanced by the human race, feels only beautiful with the help of Glass. Not electronica whatsoever is the minimalist expression in the making, the music that created the parameters on how electronica music (or at least most of it) is made. This movie marks and before-after moment in life.
Great Tracks:
1) “Koyaanisqatsi”: It sets the tone for the movie, slow and powerful, summarizes the overall feeling of the movie.
2) “Vessels”: Beautiful vocal/organ piece, in touch with the human emotions portrayed in the movie.
Author Bio: David Molina is a film critic, art comunications, musician and devoted Redhead. You can follow his thoughts on ProVocateur HD, his work on La Nueva Galería and his music on Voidettes.