The plot is fairly simple: In 18th century England, a down-on-his-luck apothecary (Robert Carlyle) and minor aristocrat known for drinking his money away (Jonny Lee Miller) team up to rob from the rich as The Gentlemen Highwaymen with the law at their heels. Despite the meager storyline, much sets Plunkett & Macleane apart from the standard Merchant Ivory fare. Most notable is the music.
Like A Knight's Tale, released two years after Plunkett & MacLeane (1999), director Jake Scott forwent the use of period music for more modern pieces. The main score was written by Craig Armstrong and, while mostly orchestral, contains techno music overlaying the ball scene and a cover of Talking Heads "Houses in Motion" for the end titles. (The track "Escape" has become famous in its own right as the soundtrack for many movie trailers.) In addition, the movie also includes songs by The Tiger Lilies, an accordion-driven Squirrel Nut Zippers-esque band. If a viewer can accept the anachronisms, the music works well within the movie.
The worst that can be said of Plunkett & MacLeane is that it has a split tone. On one hand, soaring operatic score. On the other, wheezy Gypsy accordions. In addition to the title leads, Alan Cumming plays a purple-clad cheeky fop, while Ken Scott's character of Mr. Chance is jarringly sociopathic. There is a reoccurring joke about the pox, as well as numerous hangings in Tyburn. The split was even felt in the marketing of the movie The New York Times hosts the "Americanized" version, while a more true-to-form and less work-safe "British" version can be found on YouTube. Overall, the acting is superb as is the visual style. The contrasts keep this film interesting and true. Life, after all, is never only an orchestral score.
Currently, Plunkett & Macleane is available for free viewing on Hulu.com, but only until April 1, 2009. The DVD can be found with some effort, for purchase or rent. The soundtrack is much more widely available.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Darling Violetta
If you're a fan of Angel or Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you've heard Darling Violetta. During the third season of Buffy, they were one of the relative unknown bands to take the stage at The Bronze (the show's popular hangout/nightclub). Not only were two tracks featured ("Cure" and "Blue Sun"), but the band itself made an appearance. The next year, Darling Violetta was invited to submit a demo for the spinoff series, Angel. Despite two EPs and inclusion in other soundtracks, the under-a-minute main title became their most famous composition. Ironically, written in 1999, the piece of music wasn't available in any form other than on television until a show soundtrack was released in 2005. Darling Violetta's last album, Parlour, was released in 2003.
Here's "Spoiled & Rotton" off The Kill You EP (2000):
The Angel theme and the albums previous to Parlour are marked by lush orchestrations, including the use of a cello, in counterpoint to Cami Elen's stripped-down vocals. The latter album, while containing artistic "interludes", tends more toward basic pop, but is still listenable. The band is currently working on new music.
Darling Violetta's entire catalog is available for purchase through Opaline Records, except for the Angel theme. It is only available in an extended recording on the album Angel: Live Fast, Die Never.
Here's "Spoiled & Rotton" off The Kill You EP (2000):
The Angel theme and the albums previous to Parlour are marked by lush orchestrations, including the use of a cello, in counterpoint to Cami Elen's stripped-down vocals. The latter album, while containing artistic "interludes", tends more toward basic pop, but is still listenable. The band is currently working on new music.
Darling Violetta's entire catalog is available for purchase through Opaline Records, except for the Angel theme. It is only available in an extended recording on the album Angel: Live Fast, Die Never.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Black 47
Marc Gunn of the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine notes that Black 47 is one of the biggest secrets of Celtic rock.1 Since their inception in 1989 by Larry Kirwan and Chris Byrne, Black 47 has released over eight albums both independently and through major labels (one of which, Fire of Freedom, was produced by The Cars' Ric Ocasek), had a national debut on David Lettermen, and been a staple act in the New York City area. Yet, Black 47 remains relatively unknown outside of the Celtic music scene despite the success of bands like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly.
Lyrically, Black 47 might be written off as another politically-charged Irish punk band. But in addition to the in-your-face vocals and solid guitar riffs, the band brings together traditional Celtic instrumentation in the form of uilleann pipes, flute and pennywhistle with the jazz staples of saxophone and trombone. They are also not afraid to mix in elements of hip-hop and reggae; all while maintaining a certain recognizable style.
Black 47 is still going strong even after the departure of founding member Byrne in 2000. Most of their albums including their most recent, 2008's Iraq, are readily available through Amazon.com and iTunes, and they continue to be a busy touring band.
1http://www.celticmp3s.com/bands/black_47/
Lyrically, Black 47 might be written off as another politically-charged Irish punk band. But in addition to the in-your-face vocals and solid guitar riffs, the band brings together traditional Celtic instrumentation in the form of uilleann pipes, flute and pennywhistle with the jazz staples of saxophone and trombone. They are also not afraid to mix in elements of hip-hop and reggae; all while maintaining a certain recognizable style.
Black 47 is still going strong even after the departure of founding member Byrne in 2000. Most of their albums including their most recent, 2008's Iraq, are readily available through Amazon.com and iTunes, and they continue to be a busy touring band.
1http://www.celticmp3s.com/bands/black_47/
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Tapping the Vein
During the early to mid-90s, a confluence of musical factors produced a crop of alternative bands headed by female vocalists. Garbage might be considered the first and most notable, but the likes of Evanescence (and a slew of lesser known bands) predate Garbage's initial success. One of those "other" bands is Tapping the Vein.
Formed in 1995, the band's basis is drummer and programmer Eric Fisher and vocalist Heather Thompson. Though the name (and to some degree the lyrics) suggest "goth," Tapping the Veins sound is separate from the punk influences of early gothic rock and shuns the genre's later darkwave influences by keeping the musical elements to a minimum. Thompson's vocals are not unlike Trent Reznor's of Nine Inch Nails: she knows when the song needs to be delicate and when it needs a banshee.
Tapping the Vein's first album The Damage was released in 2002 on Nuclear Blast Records. It is currently available in CD form via Amazon.com and other merchants. According to the band's MySpace page, their second album Another Day Down is scheduled for release on March 10, 2009 through Dancing Ferret Discs and IsoTank Music and will be available through other online retailers.
Of particular personal note, the VOTS 2009 Spring League team Plastic Falls was named for the song "Sugar Falls":
Formed in 1995, the band's basis is drummer and programmer Eric Fisher and vocalist Heather Thompson. Though the name (and to some degree the lyrics) suggest "goth," Tapping the Veins sound is separate from the punk influences of early gothic rock and shuns the genre's later darkwave influences by keeping the musical elements to a minimum. Thompson's vocals are not unlike Trent Reznor's of Nine Inch Nails: she knows when the song needs to be delicate and when it needs a banshee.
Tapping the Vein's first album The Damage was released in 2002 on Nuclear Blast Records. It is currently available in CD form via Amazon.com and other merchants. According to the band's MySpace page, their second album Another Day Down is scheduled for release on March 10, 2009 through Dancing Ferret Discs and IsoTank Music and will be available through other online retailers.
Of particular personal note, the VOTS 2009 Spring League team Plastic Falls was named for the song "Sugar Falls":
Monday, March 2, 2009
Judybats
During the popularity of alternative music in the late 80s and early 90s, Judybats may have been overshadowed by the likes of Toad the Wet Sprocket and R.E.M., but they had something their peers often lacked: bite. Under the sprawling guitars and tight harmonies are lyrics with a healthy dose of satire and irony. How many bands can get away with a song entitled "Intense Beige" or the lyrics to "Ugly on the Outside"? Their most noted track is "Being Simple":
Judybats produced four albums in the early 90s for Warner Bros and was disbanded in 1995 by lead singer Jeff Heiskell. The band was reformed in 2000 for the album 2000 and the EP Six Pack of Tracks. Heiskell and other band members have since gone on to other projects. Recently, Native Son, the band's first album, was re-released by Wounded Bird Records and is currently easily available in CD form. The other albums can be found used through multiple sellers.
Judybats produced four albums in the early 90s for Warner Bros and was disbanded in 1995 by lead singer Jeff Heiskell. The band was reformed in 2000 for the album 2000 and the EP Six Pack of Tracks. Heiskell and other band members have since gone on to other projects. Recently, Native Son, the band's first album, was re-released by Wounded Bird Records and is currently easily available in CD form. The other albums can be found used through multiple sellers.
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