DAFT PUNK - Tron: Legacy (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Finally, new music from Daft Punk! It's been a while. 2007 saw the release of their live album, Alive 2007, but their last studio album, Human After All, came out way back in 2005, so this new soundtrack is sure to be snapped up and listened to quickly by their many fans. The thing is, though, that this is very much a soundtrack to Tron: Legacy. It is more orchestral than electronic. The closest thing on here to Daft Punk's electronic house music is the song "Derezzed" (which, interestingly enough, seems to be the song that is being used to promote the fact that Daft Punk was involved with the movie). They worked with a 90-member orchestra for this, so it makes sense that the sound would be different. That certainly does not make this a bad soundtrack. It's pretty cool as far as soundtracks go. But for those thinking it is the follow-up to Human After All, you may be disappointed.

www.myspace.com/daftpunk
www.daftpunk.com

RATATAT - LP4

The duo of Evan Mast and Mike Stroud returns with their aptly-titled fourth album, LP4. I learned that this album is best played loudly on a decent stereo system. Your computer speakers just will not do. I also learned that I still think Ratatat's first two albums are their best efforts. Sure, LP4 is good ("Drugs" is pretty great) but nothing on it holds a candle to previous songs like "Loud Pipes" or "Breaking Away". There are many people who say that this newer, more mature Ratatat is better but I simply cannot agree. Ratatat, we can still be friends, but my fondest memories of you lie in our past adventures together.

www.myspace.com/ratatatmusic
www.ratatatmusic.com

V/A - FANTASTIC MR. FOX - Original Soundtrack

I'm not usually a big fan of movie soundtracks but I always enjoy the ones to Wes Anderson movies, probably because the songs work together to create an overall theme. The soundtrack to his latest movie, Fantastic Mr. Fox, is an enjoyable romp through whimsical sounds and it may also drill the chants of "Boggis, Bunce, Bean" into your head, never to escape from them.

The bulk of the soundtrack consists of compositions by Alexandre Desplat, who has also written scores for movies such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Luzhin Defence, The Queen, and many, many more (including a certain vampire movie installment). Desplat does a terrific job with these songs as they conjure up images of an idyllic everyday life that is filled with heroes and villains. At the same time, the music is playful and exudes a childish charm (after all, Fantastic Mr. Fox is based off of a children's book by Roald Dahl). Further research reveals that Desplat has received an Academy Award nomination for best original score for his work here.

The rest of the soundtrack includes a few cuts by The Beach Boys (always a good time), Burl Ives (they work perfectly with this kind of movie, plus I love the line "Saw a bear, comb his hair" in the song "Fooba Wooba John"), and George Delerue. The Wellingtons' "The Ballad of Davy Crockett", which I have only heard before in snippet version in the film Back To The Future, makes an appearance here as well, along with The Rolling Stones' "Street Fighting Man". We are also given tracks by The Bobby Fuller Four, Nancy Adams, Art Tatum, and Jarvis Cocker. Cocker's track is probably the only song in my iTunes library that has a jaw harp on it. I have no idea what he is singing, but I like it.

I know some people panned the movie but I adored it (The DVD comes out on March 23 - mark your calendars or make an appointment in your Blackberry). The soundtrack is an important part of the movie and it works well on its own as well. Boggis, Bunce, and Bean.

www.alexandredesplat.net
www.fantasticmrfoxmovie.com

CHRIS JOSS - Monomaniacs Vol. 1

Monomaniacs Vol. 1 is the sixth album from Chris Joss, who is originally from France. It's another highly entertaining instrumental affair from Joss. No lyrics here, just 12 awesome, funk-influenced, 70's-vibed cuts. There's enough sounds mixed in to keep anyone occupied for a while trying to pick through all the layers. There's even some Indian sitar thrown in on the track "Kali Flowers". Highly recommended for anyone who's got a soul and likes to groove.

Just take a look at the album cover, you'll know if this is the kind of music for you or not. And if you still don't know after looking, try it out anyway.

www.myspace.com/chrisjoss
chrisjoss.free.fr

BELL ORCHESTRE - As Seen Through The Windows

Their second album. Two of their members are in the Arcade Fire. All of their songs are instrumental. You could classify them as indie/experimental if you needed to, I suppose. They would sound best on a long drive through a desolate winter landscape.

www.myspace.com/bellorchestre
www.bellorchestre.com