This is a unique soundtrack to Wes Anderson’s latest film.
Asteroid City – Original Soundtrack – ABKCO Records 2157-1 Limited Edition Orange Translucent 2-LP vinyl Record Store Day 2023, 69:39 ****:
(Featuring original music composed by Alexander Desplat; songs by Jarvis Cocker; Tex Ritter, Bill Monroe; Burl Ives; Bob Willis; Tennessee Ernie Ford; Bing Crosby; Slim Whitman; The Springfields; Les Baxter; Les Paul & Mary Ford; Johnny Duncan and The Chas McDevitt Skiffle Group)
Wes Anderson’s latest movie, Asteroid City has garnered critical acclaim. Like his other projects, it boasts an extensive cast, outstanding art direction and this time, employs a “play within a film” structure. Set in the 1950’s, it is a quirky, understated story ostensibly about a desert space camp and the whimsy of ascertaining life’s meaning. Anderson has utilized longtime musical composer Alexander Desplat for original music that serves as introductions to scenes. Additionally, there is a healthy dose of well-known country music that provides the feel of a Western tale in modern contexts. All of the musical accents reflect the ethereal aesthetics of this Anderson gem.
The soundtrack opens with a punctuated high-register piano and violin duet (“WXYZ-TV Channel”) that sets a quirky tone to match the overall idiosyncratic vibe. Johnny Duncan and The Blue Grass Boys capture the Neo-country musical resonance on “Last Train To San Fernando”. The fast-paced vocals are effective. Irish country artists The Springfields shine on the folky “Island Of Dreams”. Legendary bluegrass pioneer Bob Willis goes honky tonk on “Ida Red”. A spirited “Canon And Gigue In D Major” adds another facet to the layered music. Immersed between Desplat musical interludes (“Opening Ceremony”/Viewing Of The Astronomical Ellipses”) are beloved country standards “I Got Spurs That Jingle, Jangle, Jingle”, “High Noon/Do Not Forsake Me” (both by Tex Ritter), “Cowboy’s Lament/Streets Of Laredo” (Burl Ives) and the toe-tapping “Orange Blossom Special” (Bill Monroe) adds to the stylistic gravitas of Asteroid City.
The movie score and additional songs act in tandem to underscore the unique textures of the movie. Two Slim Whitman favorites (“Rose Marie” and “Indian Love Call”) feature the singer’s warbling tenor and falsetto. Then, Tennessee Ernie Ford counters with his baritone on the country blues number “Sixteen Tons” with its cool finger-snapping vibe. Even the cast performs another unconventional bluegrass tune, “Dear Alien (Who Art In Heaven)”. Desplat’s uncanny score is represented on the final side by a concise percussion/woodwind snippet (“Emergency Assembly”) and a haunting, atmospheric segment (“A Bewildering And Bedazzling Celestial Mystery”) with a nod to the main theme. Then, Les Paul & Mary Ford offer a lively genre-bending version of “How High The Moon”. Another cover of “Streets Of Laredo” its delivered by none other than crooner Bing Crosby in waltz-time. A certain highlight is “Freight Train” (The Chas McDevitt Skiffle Group, featuring Nancy Whiskey). The surprising hybrid of country and skiffle is infectious, including whistling and rhythmic articulation. The finale (Jarvis Cocker’s clever “You Can’t Wake Up If You Don’t Fall Asleep”) is quintessential Anderson film material (and a lot of modern cinema) with its intermingling of mood and simplified instrumentation.
Asteroid City – Original Soundtrack is another successful collaboration between film and music. It can be appreciated as a companion piece to the movie or nostalgic musical statement that stands on its own merits. The gatefold cover art by David Meikle is stunning, as is the “limited edition” translucent orange vinyl 12” discs.
—Robbie Gerson
Asteroid City – Original Soundtrack
TrackList:
Side One: WXYZ-TV Channel 8; Last Train To San Fernando; Island Of Dreams; April In Portugal; Ida Red; Canon and Gigue In D Major
Side Two: Opening Ceremony with Awards Presentation; (I Got Spurs That) Jingle, Jangle, Jingle; Orange Blossom Special; High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me); Cowboy’s Lament; Viewing Of The Astronomical Ellipses
Side Three: Rose Marie; Indian Love Call; Sixteen Tons; The Cattle Call; Special Seminar At The Playwright’s Request; Dear Alien (Who Art In Heaven); Kaw-Liga
Side Four: Emergency Assembly; A Bewildering And Bedazzling Celestial Mystery; How High The Moon; The Streets Of Laredo; Freight Train; You Can’t Wake Up If You Don’t Fall Asleep
