CD REVIEW - FAINTHEART


Faintheart
Music by Various Artists
EMI 236 6302 (UK)
18 Tracks 56:14 mins

Faintheart is the world's first user generated myspace.com movie, resulting from "My Movie MashUp," which allowed users of MySpace to contribute to every stage of the making of the film. The plot revolves around a guy's attempts to win back the love of his life, which probably oversimplifies it, but if you're a MySpace user you'll probably be familiar with the story and all its intricacies. The film was to be released free in just 150 cinemas, as well as on MySpace of course, on 27th January, before its DVD release on 2nd February.
The soundtrack to the film is a very varied affair, featuring everything from instrumentals by Mike Batt and Tom Hodge, to tracks, including some abrasive rock numbers, by the likes of Miss Misery, Phil Mousely, Tenpole Tudor, The Michael Schenker Group, Spandau Ballet, The Human League, Eastern Front, Katie Melua, Saxon, and The Proclaimers; a version of Greensleeves by the Dennison String Quartet; and even a couple of well known classical pieces, Ride of the Valkyries and a Night on Bare Mountain.
The only tracks of interest to the film score fan will be Tom Hodge's opening "Armies," which builds into a quite thunderous action piece; plus the two selections from the film's principal composer Mike Batt's score, the galloping, pseudo-spaghetti western, harmonica-lead "Run to the Funeral," and the initial comic sneakiness of "Maggie in the Comic Shop," which eventually gives way to a lilting waltz-like tune, and finally a gentle mover for piano and guitar.
The accompanying booklet features stills from the film, plus a full rundown of credits for the selections chosen for the CD, which is in stores now.