Everything Is Illuminated - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
"Everything Is Illuminated" is the directorial debut of actor Liev Schrieber and an adaptation of Jonathan Safran Foer's best-selling novel. A blend of high comedy and great tragedy, the film tells the story of a young American man, played by Elijah Wood (The Lord of The Rings trilogy), who journeys to the Ukraine to find the woman whom he believes saved his grandfather from the Nazis all those years ago.

The soundtrack features two new songs from high energy New York City based gypsy punks Gogol Bordello, including one track not on their current cd. (Note: Gogol Bordello's lead singer plays a role in "Everything Is Illuminated"). Also included are gypsy folk songs from Russia and the Ukraine by Leningrad, Arkadie Severmie, Csokolom and Tin Hat Trio. And finally, Paul Cantelon's ethnic score ties together this nicely cohesive soundtrack.

Customer Reviews: Read 25 more reviews...

3 out of 5 stars

Like that song in the trailer? September 16, 2005
227 out of 238 found this review helpful

If you're here because you like that song in the second half of the trailer -- well, it doesn't appear on the track list above. It's "How It Ends" by Devotchka (also known as "You Already Know") and it appears on the band's incredible album "How It Ends." Just thought you should know before putting down your cash.

4 out of 5 stars

Leningrad March 10, 2006
32 out of 34 found this review helpful

The band Leningrad that plays on this soundtrack is little known outside of Russia and other european places that they tour, but as one can tell from this soundtrack, they are really a gem.

I was lucky enough to see them in 97 in St Petes, and their live performance was all that and more. I highly recommend them.

SO where to find more stuff? I have been looking and I have found!

All their mp3's are available online at their website.

http://www.leningradspb.ru/music/bullet_1999.html

Happy listening! Maybe some day they will release something stateside?

5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant composition, great contemporary bands. November 30, 2005
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

I dearly loved this movie, to begin with. So entranced with it was I, that I hunted down the soundtrack immediately. Instantly enamored of Gogol Bordello upon hearing them, I went out and got everything I possibly could. I'm still working on finding Leningrad.

Down to the album's bits:

Paul Cantelon's compositional skills are phenomenal, and the "Illuminated Gypsy Band" etc. are incredible at capturing the singular flavor of eastern European gypsy music. Without a doubt my favorite tracks on here of his are, 'Odessa Medley', 'Sunflowers' (the hauntingly beautiful vocal piece, reminiscent of the Bulgarian Women's Choir) and 'Inside-Out'.

Onto the other bits!
- Leningrad (Ленинград) is an amazing band, and try as I might, I can't find any of their stuff (PLEASE HELP ME OUT IF YOU KNOW HOW TO GET MY GREASY PAWS ON SOME!). First take some Cuban samba/tango/cumbia-esque music, teach it to some insane drunken Romany, and sing everything in Russian. It's brilliant, danceable, and addicting. Again, if you know where I can get some of this brilliance, do let me know. Thanks.
- The track by Csokolom, a traditional song, also very fun and bouncy, with the "la la la la la la's"
- 'Ya Takoy' by The Con Artists is basically a vehicle for some of the more inspired Russian-to-English mistranslations Alex (Eugene Hutz) has during the movie. Included are 'Many girls are want to be carnal with me, because I am such a premium dancer!" and "I am unequivocally tall. I do not know any women taller than me. The women who are taller than me, are lesbians!" Good hip hop beat, some swank sounding violin, and of course Alex ('because this is much more pleasant to utter').
- Tin Hat Trio, one of my favorite jazz groups, provides us with a sweet and haunting song (I believe from when they are driving in the car). It's hard to describe, other than incredibly touching. Made me think of the smell of grass and sunshine right after a rain.
- Which brings us, finally, to Gogol Bordello. If you are not aware of this band, I cannot even begin to explain how much fun this band is. Think Ukranian Gypsy Punk Rock, mixed with some wierd Rai-dub. Bublitschki is their pretty traditional arrangement of a traditional Russian song. It only slightly shows off their antics. As far as original songs go, 'Start Wearing Purple' is not the best example from these guys to showcase Eugene Hutz's genius, but it's a start. Go get some of their albums. Now. I suggest starting with Multi Kontra Culti, or East Infection (the EP).

So, in a nutshell: This album has great play-through value (especially because it is chronological to the film) thanks to Mr. Cantelon's inspired compositions, and the inclusion of some shining stars of Slavic music.

5 out of 5 stars

Everything is Illuminated October 21, 2005
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Well if you've seen the movie the music brings it all home. Very nice piece of illuminated Klezmer music. The few Russian rap cuts are also entertaining along with the English ones. The music cut specifically for the movie, is very enchanting and relaxing. Great listening.

5 out of 5 stars

Unique November 10, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Other reviewers know these musicians. I do not. I simply saw the movie and flipped for the soundtrack (and the film as well). Eastern European, yes. Rock, yes. Traditional, yes. Sardonic, yes. For everybody, no. For me, mezmerizing.

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