‘INTO THE WILD’ SOUNDTRACK

In the now-playing film adaptation of Jon Krakauer’s “Into The Wild,” writer/director Sean Penn depicts a saga of treading into uncharted territory for the sake of a self-awakening. Hand-in-hand is the film’s soundtrack, fully scored with solo songs by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, in which he takes a musical journey into his unknown, akin to the film’s protagonist Christopher McCandless. Virtually a third reinterpretation of “Into The Wild”‘s true story, the soundtrack artistically could surpass the film and book thanks to its haunting ability to tell and sell McCandless’ entire story through Vedder’s total outside perspective. Vedder sheds his legendary grunge roots to compose organic and ornate songs with a Dylan-like literacy, singing from a spiritual and solemn perspective to guide the jarring journey shown in the soon-to-be-seminal film. Vedder’s voice sails over mandolins and banjos, singing of “sailing forth in the universe” and commonly referring to an anonymous “she” in the folk fashion of referring to the greatness of Mother Earth. The “Into The Wild” soundtrack is harrowing and heartbreaking, yet duly inspired thanks to Vedder’s near-amazing discovery of uncharted musical territory.

Verdict: A stellar soundtrack full of forward folk-rock flare but incredibly intense for the faint of heart.

‘THE DARJEELING LIMITED’ SOUNDTRACK

Wes Anderson is undoubtedly our generation’s greatest growing film auteur, paying incredible attention to the aesthetics of color, light and, most importantly, sound. Known to alternate muses from movie to movie (Seu Jorge and David Bowie in “The Life Aquatic” for one), Anderson has abandoned core composer Mark Mothersbaugh for “The Darjeeling Limited.” As an arranger, he ingeniously integrates classical compositions like “Clair de Lune” with a few follies a la France, as well as an excessive emphasis on Bombay Bollywood bahngra true to the film’s location in India.

The Indian ethnic excellence is endearing and adds a subtle touch of contrast to the chaos implied by the film’s adventurous plot. More than anything, Anderson’s ability to unearth touching tracks from classic rock legends is unparalleled. He conjures comfort in tracks like the fireside lo-fi of The Rolling Stones’ “Play With Fire,” The Kinks’ “This Time Tomorrow” as heard in the film’s trailer and the touching lyrics of Peter Sarstedt’s “Where Do You Go To (My Lovely).”

Verdict: Like anything from Anderson, it’s a creative and quirky exquisite experience.

- Sami Promisloff