.co.uk How big a headache can you handle ? That was the growing problem faced by the film's Mathematics genius. To convey that loudly to the audience, there was a constantly aggressive visual style and soundtrack. The musical element contributed more than the intense sound effects. In fact, the electronica genre found its most successful cinematic home with Pi. The almost drunkenly swimming montages of dream, thought and plot intrigue benefit enormously from the endless energy. Clint Mansell's score provides a pulsing theme for Max's dilemma. Like all the sourced songs, it's the by- the-numbers cyclic style of the genre that insinuates itself into the consciousness, tapping into natural rhythms. The extended mixes gathered here of what only zipped in and out on screen come from: Orbital, Massive Attack, Aphex Twin and Gus Gus amongst others. As one of the most mathematically structured of musical styles it is therefore a "perfect thought"--a statement on top of the film's own--as well as being very marketable! --Paul Tonks
M**E
Inspiring.
One of the greatest soundtracks ever. I've wanted to get it for many years so good.
A**R
Five Stars
Cracking sound track
G**E
Pop ate itself
I am sure most people know that Clint Mansell has been making waves as a composer of film scores. what some won't know is that he started out as the singer of PWEI in the mid eighties to mid nineties. As a band who used many film quotes and samples in thier songs it is no suprise that one member made it into the film industry. And what a way to start. Sure the film is bleak and intense, but this soundtrack raises it to another level. It i musical madness at its best, just don't expect to be singing along.
A**R
One of a must-have soundtracks
Well, this is definetely one of the best soundtracks available.The film iself is great, and so is the orginal score.If I had to pick three words to describe this album, I'd say:coherent, hypnotising and energetic.Coherent because of the fact, that despite being composed by differentartists the album itself seems to be very coherent,all track share the same level of tension, even in spite different styles..Hypnotising just because of the tension mentioned above.Energetic because of two things: one is the music itself andthe other - last but not least - is the fact that the CD itselfis very well mastered. I actually work in hi-end audio and thisis one of the CD's I use to demonstrate equipment. The musichas electronic origin, nevertheless it never sounds bright oredgy. Good work. Both musically and technically.
B**N
12.45, restate my assumptions
If you've already seen the film, then you will know what to expect from this CD, if not, read with interest.From the first track onwards the listener is confronted with a selection of Drum and bass and progressive dance tracks that go from being almost soothing and calm (Gus Gus, 'Anthem') to just being outright rude (Orbital, 'P.E.T.R.O.L').Clint Mansell did an amazing job when he composed the score to the almost unknown film, his own entries to the CD are most welcome, with the 'pi' tracks starting and ending the CD as is appropriate.Quotes from the film are scattered around the CD, those unfamiliar with the fim will be stumped with the relevance, those who are may find themselves reminiscing back to when they first didn't understand what was going on in Darren Aranofsky's directorial debut.I would strongly recomend this CD to anyone who's seen the film, or even people who are looking for a compilation with a bit more "guts" to it than, say, "Ibiza sunshine cheese chill-choons 7 2002".To those who are not fans of dance music, then you may well find this just as unpalattable, which is hte only reason I do not give this title a full score of 5, being a democracy and all
M**N
Its a cracking film too.............
It's a hell of an achievement for a soundtrack album to be so dark and migraine-inducing as well as quietly and intensley beautiful (notably its interludes between tracks and cuts like Massive's Angel and Spacetime Continuum's Low Frequency Inversion Field). This compilation is as paranoid and unique as you would expect; but it all holds together remarkably well as if composed by one artist. Thank god its not; purely because such a level of invention and subtle diversity in the same field could not be sustained otherwise....... Give this one a go.......
S**N
WOW
I bet a lot of people won't know the soundtrack or the film but believe me - YOU SHOULD!Probably one of the best soundtracks ever - I would recommend this album to lovers of Big Beat, Indie and Chill-Out.Buy It!!
