Film on Vinyl: T.V. on Vinyl

Welcome to another installment of Film on Vinyl, Joe Donohue’s column that celebrates the blending of his love for film and music by reviewing and dissecting movie (and now T.V. soundtracks) pressed on the oh-so-sweet vinyl record. Next up on the playlist: Joe’s top picks for television soundtracks.

It’s no surprise about how much that I love movies, or their soundtracks. And if it is, that means you’re not reading my column enough, and for that…shame on you. Something that may come as a bit of shock is my love of television show soundtracks. I know that may seem ludicrous considering most scores to television shows are nothing more than tones and stingers.

Truth be told, television has gone through a bit of a revolution, and the normal cookie cutter shows no longer rule the waves. In the past ten years, shows like “Hannibal,” “Sherlock,” “Breaking Bad,” “The Walking Dead,” and “Fargo” - to name a few - have given viewers good reasons to tune into their televisions boxes week after week.

What I want to talk about is some of my favorite scores from the small screen. These shows have brought a real cinematic feel to our homes, and it would be a travesty if they didn’t have the proper scores to go right along with them.

Sherlock

There is probably no literary hero that is better known than the brilliant – yet socially inept – Sherlock Holmes. While the name may have slid to the back of our minds for a short stint, thanks to Stephen Moffat, the sleuth is back and sharper than ever. This show perfectly modernizes the classic character, and beautifully adapts such iconic stories.

The thing I like most is how the show and score constantly balance between modern and classic. The “Sherlock” theme is now almost as well recognizable as the character himself and the opening credits are only the beginning. David Arnold and Michael Price perfectly capture the very essence of the world. “The Woman” is a perfect example of how the music gives a clearer picture of who these characters are. Much like Irene Adler, her theme is beautiful, seductive, and yet extremely deadly.

Who to Thank:

The best part is that thanks to Silva Screen Records, every track is available on tantalizing wax.

Breaking Bad

Very few shows have taken the world by storm like “Breaking Bad.” Vince Gilligan took an ordinary man, a man that seamlessly blended into the crowd, and turned him into one of the most feared fictional characters in the history of television. The teaming of Gilligan and composer Dave Porter was absolute genius, and together these two maestros, created a near masterpiece.

While there are many elements that made this show, I believe that music is what drove the story, hands-down. From the opening credits to the end of the show, Porter took viewers on an emotional roller coaster and sucked them into the show. One perfect example is the track, “Smoking Jesse’s Pot.” This track may seem to be a bit out there, but it really gives a sense of what Walter is feeling. It represents him letting go of himself, and finding a solitary moment of bliss.

This is probably one of my all-time favorite scores, and in most ways, is the real storyteller.

Who to Thank:

Thanks to my good friends over at Spacelab 9, both volumes of the show’s soundtrack can be found on two spectacular pressings. These are must owns for “Breaking Bad” fans.

The Walking Dead

It’s no shocker that the true king of television right now is Robert Kirkman’s “The Walking Dead.” This zombie-filled soap opera has been destroying ratings from almost day one, and will probably continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Being a fan of the comic of the same name, the show may not always strike the right chords with me, the use of music always does.

What I think is pretty smart is how sparingly it’s used throughout the show. It’s always at a pretty emotionally pertinent point in the story to really drive home the point. The first volume of the soundtrack is short, but pretty sweet. My favorite moment has to be “The Parting Glass” performed by Lauren Cohan (Maggie Greene) and Emily Kinney (Beth Greene). These two actresses give a pretty poignant performance that really leaves a lasting mark.

Who to Thank:

Once again, the Kudos go to the good people at Spacelab 9. These guys have graciously given us two iconic soundtracks on beautiful vinyl. You just can’t beat the experience.

Fargo

Listening to the “Fargo” soundtrack was a little bit of a different experience for me, due to the fact that I have yet to see the show. I know, I know, it’s probably a little premature to talk about the soundtrack to a show I haven’t seen, but having seen the film of the same name, and knowing the type of genre, I believe that the score itself paints a pretty clear picture.

Jeff Russo has created a soundtrack that tells a pretty succinct story on it’s own, and I’m guessing compliments the show quite well. What I think speaks volumes about this piece of work is the fact that it really gets me excited to see the show. It’s also quite impressive that something meant to be a piece of a larger puzzle, can stand so independent as well.

Who to Thank:

The good people at Music on Vinyl are to thank for this gem. This score is available on a fitting white vinyl record, and is only one sliver of a much larger collection through Music on Vinyl.

Until next time, make sure you’re using the appropriate cartridge. Remember to always spin responsibly.