Album- The Hunger
Games: Catching Fire- Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Artist- Various
Artists
The movie soundtrack is now a vital part of any movie
franchise into today’s society. So as The Hungers Games: Catching Fire
continues to top box offices around the world, its accompanying soundtrack aims
to build on that box office power in the music industry and sell well around
the world. This latest soundtrack reads more like a who’s who of the current
music world, with a lot of instantly recognisable names cropping up on the
track listing. But the question is, do we still get songs that are good and in
tune with the film, or is the star power overshadowing things?
Track 1- Atlas
(performed by Coldplay)
With their 2012 album Mylo Xyloto having a prominent
dystopian theme running through it, it is only right that Coldplay offers us a
song for a film that is as much a dystopian drama as it is a teenage romance
story. Lyrically focused upon the film and centred on the mutual reliance
existing between characters Peeta and Katniss, the song is not a lyrically fire
storm of a song that will grab your attention but is a simmering track that
builds to this feeling of hope. Lead vocalist Chris Martin brings a naturally
vulnerable, grainy and hopeful texture to the song with his vocal, although his
belting of the line ‘carry your world’ is perhaps a bit too much. The song
features some nice production with the blend of piano and guitar for a storming
sound that is dramatic but also nicely subdued and focuses on the intensity
that characterises the film. The problem for me with this track is that it
feels like something that Coldplay can produce really easily, and I just feel
that they should have diversified a little and also more tightly focused upon
the themes of the film.
3.5/5
Track 2- Silhouettes
(performed by Of Monsters and Men)
Icelandic indie-folk-pop group and rising musical stars Of
Monsters and Men provide a delicate track that builds very nicely in its
musical intensity. Lyrically for me the song seems to focus upon the intense
weight of responsibility that is placed upon the shoulders of main character
Katniss, whilst also identifying her deep connection with some of the other
characters. The blend of the male and female vocals from the group gives the
track a nice two fold perspective that perhaps brings out the romantic side of
the film, but what is definitely the best bit about the song is the production,
which builds from this really soft state to more powerful, military like drum
beats and a forceful sound that is at the final moment laid to rest and
replaced by a soft, lush string and piano arrangement that sees peace come to
the songs end.
3.5/5
Track 3- Elastic
Heart (performed by Sia featuring The Weeknd and Diplo)
From the softness of the previous song we delve into more
hard hitting electronic vibes with the Sia track Elastic Heart. The song finds
Sia seemingly taking on the role of lead character Katniss and reflecting the
deep rooted issues of the character in terms of her fierce nature and inability
to express love, with the powerful pop chorus nicely centering on the
resilience of the character that is perhaps the most prominent element of her
personality. Sia’s vocals are really rich, aggressive in places and emotionally
loaded to make the song a powerful tune, whilst guest vocalist The Weeknd
provides some sweet RnB flecked tones to the song that offers a slightly
different perspective to the song and perhaps represents the feelings of the
other main character in the narrative, Peeta. The quirky electronic production
and stomping bass of the song is feisty, passionate and attention grabbing,
coming courtesy of mega producer Diplo. The song isn’t necessarily something
you would expect from a soundtrack like this, but in a way that is what makes
it great, as it is still very in tune with the film, whilst it could equally
stand out on its own as brilliant electronic pop piece.
4/5
Track 4- Lean
(performed by The National)
American indie rock group the national takes things back to
an acoustically driven level and bring to list the revolutionary themes of the
film, as the lyrics focusing on the idea of something bubbling up and the idea
that we need friends at a time like this, emphasising the unifying force that
connects some of the characters. The gritty and melancholic vocal performance
in the song brings together nicely that feeling of love mixed with fear over
what is too come, whilst the drums and guitar of production blends nicely for
this equally melancholic but slightly hopeful tone that feels very in tune with
the other elements of the song as well as some of the feelings of the film.
3.5/5
Track 5- We Remain
performed by Christina Aguilera)
Perhaps a surprise on the record is this song, an arena pop
power ballad from pop star Christina Aguilera. But if you push aside the fact
that it seems weird on paper, the song is actually a smart slice of music that
is connected strongly to the film and is also some of the singer’s best work
for a while. Seemingly coming from the fiery perspective of main character
Katniss, the song focuses on the hope that exists within the film and the idea
of not letting people get you down and remaining strong in the fight, with a
flush of romanticism also being present in certain elements of the lyrics. It
is a lyricism that is potent in relation to the film, and with soaring vocals
that are smooth in places and gritty in others, the singer encapsulates the
defiant spirit of the film very nicely. Whilst the production of the track with
its heavy, propulsive beat is something that we would expect from producer Ryan
Tedder, the sound compliments the songs lyrical message and adds drama to the
track.
3.5/5
Track 6- Devil May
Cry (performed by The Weeknd)
The only artist to appear twice on the record, The Weeknd
provides his own original track for the album with Devil May Cry. The song is
much softer than the one the artist featured on earlier but is still sonically
driven and has a rough energy. Lyrically the song focuses upon the idea of
coming of the dystopia that has characterised the lives of most of the
characters in the film and emphasising the idea of the devil lamenting this
fact. The message is powerful and nicely brings a very vulnerable, human aspect
to the soundtrack that brings more power to the film. Vocally The Weeknd is
stunning, with his tone being so smooth the say it would be melt butter just
has to be said as clichéd as it is, whilst with his voice he just exudes
emotion. The songs sound features some electronic elements in places but more
tightly focuses on heavy drum and guitar sound that builds in power and which
becomes really potent when the string arrangement kicks in, before the song
finishes with this delicate guitar arrangement that allows the vocals to have
the lasting impact within the song.
3.5/5
Track 7- Who We Are
(performed by Imagine Dragons)
One of the biggest indie rock groups of 2013 that also have
some prior relations to the theme of dystopia, Imagine Dragons give us a
stomping, military sounding, aggressive indie rock number. The song features
this rolling beat and clattering, military drums that almost acts as this cool
call to arms and encapsulates that element of revolution that can be seen in
the film. The song lyrically focuses on the suppressed people of the film and
the idea that they remain true to themselves and will slowly rise up against
the tyranny of the world they are in. The message is powerfully and very
lyrically astute and is perfectly compliment with the defiant essence of the
songs sound, whilst the gritty but simple vocal performance brings equal depth
and light to the song that makes it a good edition to the soundtrack.
3.5/5
Track 8- Everybody
Wants to Rule the World (performed by Lorde)
One of the biggest talents of 2013, Lorde takes on a cover
for the soundtrack with her version of the hit Tears for Fears track Everybody
Wants to Rule the World. With regards to the tracks sound it feels very in tune
with who Lorde is as an artist in terms of the minimalism of the production
with the subtle piano and snappy drums that immediately gives the song a very
dark feel. There is a powerfully fragmented essence to the production to the
song which is intriguing to listen to which builds in power through the use of
strings, whilst vocally Lorde gives us a restrained but powerful vocal bursting
with venom. The song perhaps flips up the record in giving us the perspective
from the side of those who are the tyrants, although you could still see the
song as coming from the oppressed, and that is really the brilliancy of the
cover in that it is brilliantly twisted and very relatable to the film.
3.5/5
Track 9- Gale Song
(performed by The Lumineers)
With a title like Gale Song, this track by The Lumineers can
only be focused from the view of one character, and will be a treat for fans of
the franchise that are deeply ingrained in the romantic triangle that exists
within the narrative. The lyrics are tightly structured around the concept of
the character of Gale expressing his love and frustration over the character
Katniss and everything that has happened around her, with the vocal performance
perfectly capturing this essence of vulnerability and intense love mingled with
uncertainty and a touch of hurt. Whilst the strumming rhythm of the guitar led
production is a signature sound for The Lumineers, the sound still works within
the context of the song and doesn’t make the track feel like a sub-par number
from the band.
3.5/5
Track 10- Mirror
(performed by Ellie Goulding)
From the perspective of Gale we turn to the view of major
character Katniss, as British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding reflects on the
turmoil of the character and the way that she changes within the films, with
the song having both a romantic feel and a larger, I am such a big part of this
changing world now kind of tone. Goulding’s vocals glide along beautifully and
bring emotional depth and vulnerability to her take on the character, whilst
the swishing tones of the production with it’s lovely piano melody and
electronic flourishes that builds to this stomping beat that’s add a bit of
weight to the lyrics and furthers the tracks strong connection with the film.
3.5/5
Track 11- Capitol
Letter (performed by Patti Smith)
Legendary singer song writer Patti Smith brings to light the
symbol of hope that lead character Katniss is situated as, being the girl on
fire who defies the wishes of the Capitol. The lyrics are cool in the way that
we can see this as coming from those who support Katniss or those who defy her
and simply understand that she is the heart of the rebellion. Smith rough vocal
tones brings out the weariness of the dystopian, rebellion narrative, whilst
the simple rock texture of the tracks production is chilled but effective and
allows the lyrics and vocals to shine.
3.5/5
Track 12- Shooting
Arrows at the Sky (performed by Santigold)
Final track Shooting Arrows at the Sky is another Katniss
centred track which gives a more soulful feel to the end of the record and
comes courtesy of American singer-songwriter Santigold. The lyrics for me are
the hardest to grab as things are a bit too frenzied in a way, and what I glean
is that it builds on the defiance that characterises Katniss. Santigolds rich
and quirky tones are interesting in terms of the vocals are the swirling electro
pop vibes and the vibrant energy of the track is infectious, but overall this
track sadly ends the record on weak note, and I’m sure stronger offerings from
other artists would have been offered (I mean Ed Sheeran has already admitted
if offered a tune of two).
2.5/5
Final Review
The Catching Fire soundtrack is an assured musical piece
that features some strong musical number. Whilst the stars may seem a bit
bigger this time around, the credibility of the music and the relation of the
soundtrack to the film is not compromised, with each artist emphasising various
aspects of the film to good effect. What is fun about this album is that whilst
some songs feel like they naturally lend themselves to such a soundtrack, other
songs push the soundtrack envelope a little and create a great layer of
diversity whilst remaining true to the work of the movie and franchise as a
whole. There could be more tightly structured elements of some songs and the
track listing could have been cut short by a song or two, but aside from those
problems, I can totally see why many fans of the film will want to purchase
this soundtrack.
7/10
Best Track- Elastic
Heart (performed by Sia featuring The Weeknd and Diplo)
Worst Track- Shooting
Arrows at the Sky (performed by the Santigold)
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