Movies

5 albums that function as soundtracks to movies that don’t exist

BBG News

Remarkable albums can attain their greatness through diverse means. Catchy tunes and top-notch melodies are essential, yet for an album to leave a lasting impact on your mind and emotions, it requires more than just good music.

To put it simply, an album feels like a story being told or sung to me as I move through its tracks. It’s almost like watching a captivating film, but instead, I’m listening to it.

As a music enthusiast, let me share with you five exceptional albums that could serve as the perfect soundtrack to an imaginary film playing in your mind. Here they are:

1. The Dark Knight by Hans Zimmer – This powerful score adds depth and intensity to any storyline involving complex characters and high-stakes situations.

2. La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Justin Hurwitz – This delightful mix of jazz, pop, and classic Hollywood sound will bring a touch of romance and nostalgia to your mental movie.

3. Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 – Curated by none other than Star-Lord himself, this collection of retro tunes is guaranteed to make you feel like you’re on an intergalactic adventure.

4. The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring) by Howard Shore – This epic symphony captures the grandeur and heroism of a quest for the ages.

5. Inception (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer – With its haunting melodies and driving rhythms, this soundtrack will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow the mind-bending twists and turns in your mental masterpiece.

These five albums would also make great soundtracks

Robbie Robertson – Robbie Robertson (1987)

My top pick is Robbie Robertson’s self-titled album. After a remarkable career, Robertson found himself as Martin Scorsese’s musical inspiration during his work on films like “Raging Bull,” “The King of Comedy,” and “The Color of Money.” When he entered the studio to record this masterpiece, he was fully immersed in the role of a storyteller.

* American Roulette – The game of chance in the American West
* Somewhere Down the Twisted River – A location deep within the Southwestern wilderness
* Broken Arrow – An incident involving a Native American artifact or symbol
* Showdown at Big Sky – A confrontation under the vast expanse of the Western sky

Together, these titles tell a story of the dark and unsettling aspects of the Southwest. When you read them, you can almost imagine yourself there, experiencing the tale firsthand. Throughout his career, Robertson was rarely as captivating as he was in these stories.

Del Amitri – Waking Hours (1989)

Talking about feelings of discontent and fear, it’s common to find such emotions in abundance in smaller communities – a fact I can attest to, having spent my childhood in a town with just 625 residents. Therefore, when the Scottish alternative band Del Amitri released their album Waking Hours in 1989, I was astonished to find an album that mirrored so many aspects of my life. The songs on this album tell a dramatic story about individuals confined by small-town lives and the inner struggles they experience, which resonated deeply with me as I recognized the faces of people I grew up alongside in the images that unfolded before my ears when I first listened to it.

Remarkable tunes such as “Kiss This Thing Goodbye,” “Move Away Jimmy Blue,” “Hatful of Rain,” and “Nothing Ever Happens” significantly deepen and enrich the storyline of the album. I still enjoy playing it from start to finish, finding it captivating and soothing even today.

Roger Waters – Amused to Death (1992)

Roger Waters clearly sets the stage for his album/movie, “Amused to Death,” by depicting a monkey watching TV, which serves as an allegory for us learning about humanity’s blunders and struggles. This thought-provoking journey delves into the depths of human foolishness and vulnerability.

At some point, Waters features sportscaster Marv Albert broadcasting live from a war-torn region, providing commentary on an underwater battle aboard a submarine. Remarkably, the situation aligns perfectly with the title of the song where this occurs, “Perfect Sense.” The song “What God Wants” guides us through the deceptions and rationalizations that religious and political entities use to justify their actions.

To conclude, the main song (“Amused to Death”) paints a bleak picture of the uncertain future that awaits us if we continue down certain paths. A timeless classic album.

Angels & Airwaves – I-Empire (2007)

From Tom DeLonge’s Angels & Airwaves, the “I-Empire” resonates strongly with me due to its narrative that is shrouded in optimism and even instances of happiness. While it does explore themes of hardship, its essence revolves around perseverance, standing up for what is just, and conquering challenges.

The expression “Spread Hope Like Fire” stands out amidst “Secret Crowds,” stirring your emotions deeply, urging you to strive for goodness to improve circumstances. The movie-like scenario in your mind is a revolution against a corrupt government and the exhilaration of triumphantly winning that struggle. Other elements such as “Everything’s Magic” and “Jumping Rooftops” function harmoniously with the images sparked by your creativity, serving as a backdrop for inspiration.

Manchester Orchestra – A Black Mile to the Surface (2017)

Manchester Orchestra intentionally crafted the narrative in A Black Mile to the Surface, resulting in an emotionally intense and poignant album. Following their work on the soundtrack for the film Swiss Army Man, singers Andy Hull and Robert McDowell capitalized on this momentum to produce this masterpiece.

Reflecting on a mining town in South Dakota and Hull’s little girl, this hauntingly atmospheric musical journey seeps into your consciousness with captivating tracks such as “The Maze,” “The Silence,” and “The Moth.” This remarkable endeavor showcases an exceptional band reaching new heights, further exploring their already impressive capacity for greatness. The mental movie and the album that brings it to life are undeniable successes.

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2025-03-03 14:00

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