Flashback: Kill Bill

I've been watching this movie too much lately - it's an addiction really. I'm not all about the blood and gore, but the fight scene coordination is amazing. And Quentin did a great job with his music supervisor on both films, because the tracks are pitch perfect in their specific scenes. From Nancy Sinatra's sultry ballad "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" to a remix of one of my favorite Zombies' tracks "About Her" (The original is called "She's Not There"), all credit for these rockin' soundtracks goes to the formidable producer/composer/rap superstar RZA. The legendary Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Sin City, Grindhouse) collabed with the Wu Tang star on the soundtrack for Vol. 2 as well.

What makes a great soundtrack? Film coordination, diversity of tracks, accessibility (but not too much), and seamlessness. The Kill Bill soundtracks fulfill all these criteria with flying colors. Tarantino relies on distinct sounds - in the first soundtrack this includes more Asian-inspired tracks, and in the second an abundance of Latin inspired music including my favorite piece, "Malagunea Salerosa" by Chingon. The bold selection includes classic tracks like "A Silhouette of Doom" from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, as well as Johnny Cash. Intertwined are more contemporary, less recognizable tunes like Shivaree's swanky ode to the moon.

If you enjoy the film, the soundtrack is a necessary companion. It even includes voice clips from the movie's memorable dialogue, once again tying all the tracks together in a cohesive, but not stiffling or pretentious way. Go out and buy this one, for Black Mamba's sake.

Shivaree - Goodnight Moon [mp3]
Opening Scene in Vol. 2

Chingon - Malaguena Salerosa
Final Scene in Vol. 2

Nancy Sinatra - Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) [mp3]
Opening Scene in Vol. 1

Tomoyasu Hotei - Battle Without Honor or Humility
Scene when Oren, Go-Go, Crazy 88's enter the Tea House

TV Tunes tomorrow!