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| Marie Antoinette | 
 enlarge | Artist: Original Soundtrack
Label: Verve Forecast
Category: Music
List Price: $17.99
Buy New: $10.78
You Save: $7.21 (40%)
New (42) Used (12) from $8.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  54 reviews
Sales Rank: 2118
Format: Soundtrack
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 4.8 x 0.4
MPN: 000782202
UPC: 602517084186
EAN: 0602517084186
ASIN: B000ICLSQU
Release Date: October 10, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new Item. CD, DVD, Book, VHS more than 400 000 titles to choose from. ALL days Low Price !
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| Customer Reviews:
 The notions of a rich, bi-polar teenager never sounded so good. October 30, 2006
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I say "bi-polar" becuase this soundtrack alternates, like the mind of a young girl with too much time on her hands (yes, that's you Ms. Coppola), between giddy and rambunctious or contemplative and anguished. Music can tell a lot about the person who chooses to listen to it, much less include it on a soundtrack, and this soundtrack makes it abundantly obvious the tone of which the director was lend to take the film.
Setting aside the artistic choice to contrast a period-piece with new wave music, the songs on this CD stand out on their own as extremely good pieces of music. They have a rather timeless quality, so that more recent entries like The Strokes don't sound out of place next to the more traditional new wave sounds of New Order.
The first half of the disc is largely upbeat. It opens with a fabulous classical intro to Siouxsie and The Banshees' "Hong Kong Garden" and then moves into crazier territory with Bow Wow Wow's "Aphrodisiac." The Strokes' "Whatever Happened" is a common tune but one that grows on you with subsequent listens. Then one of the album's most delightful surprises, a showing by The Radio Dept. for a break in pace with "Pulling Our Weight." After this comes the pensive but bravely inspiring cover of Joy Division's "Ceremony" by New Order. Back at the palace ball, Gang of Four gets the masses riled up with "Natural's Not in It," followed by another Bow Wow Wow classic "I Want Candy" (I'll confess this is one that could have been left out, it's commercial and overplayed as it is; it does work given the context of the film, but not so much on this soundtrack). The party ends with Adam Ant's "Kings of the Wild Frontier" which is a take-it-or-leave-it track.
From there, the first disc turns largely into a contemplative atmospheric set. Anotnio Vivaldi's "Concerto in G" turns a corner with some lush classical, and then the final 3 tracks put us into a subdued melancholy coma. Windsor for the Derby's "The Melody of a Fallen Tree," The Radio Dept.'s "I Don't Like it Like This" and The Cure's "Plainsong" are some of the most reflective, introverted songs you're likely to find on any collection.
The second disc is nearly all mood and atmosphere. It includes unexpected quiet pieces from Aphex Twin and Squarepusher, more from Bow WoW Wow, The Cure, and the Radio Dept., as well as a large number of instrumental renditions and classical pieces by contemporary artists.
Overall this is one of the best soundtracks I've come across, largely lacking widespread commercial appeal but absolutely stuffed full of more obscure gems.
Uneven results for a historical film February 22, 2007
7 out of 14 found this review helpful
I like soundtracks. Over the years I've discovered that it's a great way to find new artists and styles in music that I would normally never give a glance to, much less sit down and actually listen to.
I've been interested in the tragic tale of Marie Antoinette, oh, since forever, I suppose. I've watched quite a few films, and read quite a few books, and even managed to get somewhat familiar with the music -- she was a quite a musician herself, very skilled at the harp and harpsichord, and acted in various private productions. Now Sophia Coppola has produced a film about her that takes a look at the Queen and her Versailles, the most splendid and magnificent court of its time. And I had heard about the music used for the soundtrack, and that it was rather -- different.
That's the least of it, I discovered.
With Brian Reitzell producing and overseeing most of this collection, I found the overall results rather scattered with the first disc being full of very modern cuts ? mostly remixes and revamps of post punk classics, and the second filled with more ambient and classical releases. Unfortunately, that makes the mix very uneven, and at times very jarring.
Looking back at the various tracks and styles, I have to say that my enjoyment of the various works really depended on what my mood was at the moment. If I wanted something modern, the first disc was all right. But the second one I found more tolerable, in the sheer fact that I prefer classical and jazz compositions over most things these days. It all really came down to the finesse of the performers and whether the track depended on music skill or loud amplification.
One thing I really hate about this cd is the utter lack of liner notes, and the truly dreadful design of the packaging. Besides several stills from the film and some of the set elements, there is absolutely nothing included about the film, and a listing of the songs with performers, original release date of the song, and suchlike spread out over several pages in the insert and a track listing on the back of the jewel case where there is nothing but a track listing of the two cds, with the performers, all printed up in day-glo fluorescent pink on white paper in very small type. To say that it makes your bleed is an understatement -- it is virtually impossible to read without having to use a magnifying glass and/or squinting.
That's bad, especially when it could have so easily been fixed with someone who actually knows what they are doing when it comes to graphic design and typography. Instead it screams Look at clever ME! I don't buy cds for that, I buy them for the music and the information in the case. That's it.
So, summing up, this is a fine cd if you're really into the post punk period of the '80's for the first disc, or enjoy ambient, electronic fare on the second disc. If you're really lucky, you'll enjoy them both, but I would wager not all of it. Learn the programming on your cd player so you can edit out what you can?t stand.
Over all, not quite a four star effort, but since I can only round up or down, let's say four stars.
 A one of a kind musical experience... October 31, 2006
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
One of the things that makes the movie `Marie Antoinette' so great is the brilliant soundtrack put together by Sophia Coppola who I swear is a modern day genius. This two-disc album offers some great music to just sit back and enjoy, starting with Siouxsie & The Banshees track `Hong Kong Garden' and ending with The Cure's brilliant `All Cat's Are Grey'.
On disc one the standout track and the whole reason I purchased this album is The Strokes `What Ever Happened' which plays in one of the most pivotal scenes in the film, and of course is the track that runs throughout the majority of the trailers promoting this brilliant film. Other choice tracks include both tracks by The Radio Dept., especially `Pulling Our Weight' and of course `I Want Candy'. I love the New Order Track `Ceremony' and `Concerto in G'.
The second disc is full of some of the most peaceful recordings placed together on one album, with Aphex Twin's `Jynweythek Ylow' and `Avril 14th' standing out as favorites with their haunting atmosphere. Dustin O'Halloran's `Opus 17' is just plain stunning as is his `Opus 36' as well. A much different feel than the first disc, this second album serves as such a delightful treat, both albums meshing perfectly together to deliver a one of a kind musical experience.
Worth every penny!
I didn't like the movie. November 26, 2006
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
I know I'm in the minority, but I thought that the movie was very dissapointing. I went in not expecting anything, and I left feeling cheated out of... well, the ticket price, and my time.
The music in the movie, however, made it endurable. I usually do not buy a soundtrack to a movie I dislike, but I can't help it for this one, the soundtrack is amazing.
In short: this album is amazing, but don't waste your time on the movie. In my (minority of an) opinion.
Royally Fantabulous! April 17, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I love this movie more than I can even describe, and this two-disc soundtrack is just as great for the low price. Disc one, the party platter, features post-punk and new romantic bands from the early 80s when I was in high school. "Hong Kong Garden" by Siousie Sioux & the Banshees is a totally righteous kickoff, and the two Bow Wow Wow songs "Aphrodisiac" and "I Want Candy" are undeniably sweet treats. I must admit, though, having never heard The Radio Dept. before and being totally pleased with all the tracks by them that Sofia Coppola put on this collection. Anyway, disc one is great fun, including the beautiful Concerto in G by Vivaldi.
The second set for the morning after is pleasant and mostly full of classical music, my favorite tracks being those by Dustin O'Halloran and Bow Wow Wow's cover of Johnny Mercer's "Fools Rush In." Any way you cut it, this soundtrack is ALL good, and among the best I've heard along with that of Grace of My Heart. If you love the movie and the music caught your attention as well, I say pick this soundtrack up. You will be royally pleased!
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