I have many different ways to pick them, this might sound weird. However This is my
particular system.

1. If an soundtrack has over 20-30 minutes, I'll get it, even if there are crap songs included. Or at least songs that are disliked.
Apollo 13
Born on the Fourth of July
Die Hard with a Vengeance
Free Willy
Patch Adams

2. If an soundtrack has under 20 minutes, I'll only get it, if I like the songs on it. Even if the score itself is great. Otherwise I pass on getting it.
Back to the Future
City of Angels
Eyes Wide Shut
My Best Friend's Wedding
One Fine Day
Radioland Murders
Top Gun
The Transformers: The Movie

3. If there is no score, I'll only get it if I like the songs. Duh, huh?
Though it rarely happens anymore, IMO most are not worth getting, unless they have score.
Romeo & Juliet Vol. 1
Sliding Doors
So I Married an Axe Murderer
Tin Cup
Twister

4. Soundtracks passed on because of not being the way I would have liked.
Anywhere but Here
Godzilla
Gone in Sixty seconds
Men in Black
The Road to El Dorado
Shaft
Titan A.E.
And an whole lot more.

Regards,
Sean Robert Abbey

I usually don't mind those soundtracks where there's a song at the end with the same music, like some Horner scores. In the case of What Dreams May Come (KAMEN) I actually grew to love the song, which I had never heard before.

quote:

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Originally posted by Camillu:

Great topic. I was thinking of posting something along these lines after I was re-listening to Judge Dredd. I love most of the score, but the songs have to be the worst I ever heard on a soundtrack. And they take up half the CD!

I usually don't mind those soundtracks where there's a song at the end with the same music, like some Horner scores. In the case of What Dreams May Come (KAMEN) I actually grew to love the song, which I had never heard before.

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Thanks! I have been thinking of this topic for quite some time. And just the other night was thinking to myself what scores have I bought or not bought because of the songs. Anyway, I personally like some song compilations. And I hate to admit this, but even though I love Silvestri's score to Judge Dredd, I like the songs as well.

My opinion is, as long as the songs are featured prominently within the film, then go ahead and release them. Just make sure to do the same with the score. While inspired by music should not be released as a soundtrack. Do the "Prince of Egypt", and release different versions, an actual soundtrack release and a inspired release. Though maybe that is too much to ask from the studios.

I happened to hear a friend's copy of "the Beach" soundtrack and I liked it. I liked about let's say....85%. It actually prompted me to see the film. I had heard NO REVIEWS whatsoever so I was looking forward to see it. I was very curious to see where and why and how the songs were used. And I was curious to hear Badalamenti's work again. For the most part the film was ok. Nothing really new narrative-wise.

With "American Psycho" I saw the film and afterwards thought I MIGHT get the soundtrack IF it had enough of those kewl 80's tracks. Well, lo and behold, I hear that the soundtrack is recalled cuz Huey Lewis was upset by the violence portrayed. I saw "collectible" potential here so I called all over town (San Antonio) and 5 places told me they'd been recalled. I found one Sam Goody that had it and would hold it so I went and got it. Now I actually have 2 copies just so I could hear one of them.

For the most part I pass on the "MUSIC INSPIRED BY" crap. I can only be a slave to the media SO FAR YA KNOW!!!

I wonder if writing to the record labels, and telling them they aren't getting my money because of the crap they decided to put out, would help change their thinking when it comes to their soundtrack releases? Maybe I am cynical, but I doubt it.

The film was ok and I guess I would like to own the score but there IS NO WAY ON HELL THAT I'D BUY THAT SOUNDTRACK!!!! That genre of music grates on my nerves and wonder if it is selling well. Any of ya'll own it?

I did take a gamble on the mostly-songtracked WHITE MAN'S BURDEN, which has two wonderful cues by Howard Shore, and ALSO a mostly fine bunch of songs. Never saw the movie, but there it was for 88 cents, so I figured, what the hell.

On the other hand, I refused to buy the SEVEN album because it didn't have the single most impressive piece of music in the picture (even better than the Shore pieces, I thought, as good as they were -- in that event, I'll wait around for a complete CDR, probably, but I'm not sure I'd even get that, it couldn't possibly be a fun listen, though just that one cue over Kevin Spacey's "Become Wrath" scene at the end is awe-inspiring -- I think I read that Shore had all of two weeks to write and record SEVEN) -- anyway, SEVEN's main title "Closer To God" (later heard in THE FAN as well, which I thought was a mistake, since the Nine Inch Nails song is so distinctive). Left off the album of SEVEN, which is inexcusable since the use of it over the film's opening credits is one of the most indelible things I've ever seen or heard. (One of the most cynical people I know -- he's almost as bad as me -- remembered that the theater was DEAD quiet once that came to an end. Everyone knew right away that we were in for something VERY different ...)

WHY YOU SAY???

Well, I guess cuz of silly sentimentality. I have it on vinyl AND the disc has 4 EXTRA tracks!!!

Well I passed on it. I think I'll get it used.