Babel (Fr)

First of all, I bought this CD for one song only and that is Ryuichi Sakamoto's Bibo No Aozora. When I heard it on the film, I knew I was going to get the soundtrack. It's such a simple song, but the cellos are undeniable! But along with Ryuichi's song, I also fell in love with Santaolalla's Deportation (which I am sure is the main theme of the movie). I listen to that song a lot more than Bibo. Although this is not a very good review because I mainly got it for two tracks, I recommend the album for it's diversity. 'Tu Me Acostumbraste' is so beautiful. You would not be upset. Santaolalla delivers in his originals, and the diverse styles has something for everyone I am sure.

I was busy and distracted the first time I listened to this music, and my first impression was Gee, I wish they'd done a better job of editing. (I confess I still feel that way about the bonus CD, but it doesn't matter. Read on.) Three days later, however, I listened again--mindfully--and GOT IT. Disc one perfectly encapsulates Babel's theme: the Global Village's seemingly diverse tribes (be they North African Tuareg or Japanese haute bourgeoisie) are, just under the surface, inextricably linked and what's more--startlingly related. As I paid attention I was captivated by the duh-obvious connections between desert tablas, Tokyo House, and Cumbia. Then fell in love with all three of those arts, none of which I'd been exposed to before seeing the movie (mainly because I'm probably old enough to be your grandmother). Now I want MORE. This CD sent me running to the 'net in search of more Celso Peña (an "overnight" hit at 48, after decades of tune crafting), more Shinichi Osawa remixes, and more Rip Slyme. The latter is a hard-to-describe but way cool Japanese DJ/tech/mod group whose name is a play on Japlish for "lips rhyme." Apart from all that, I'm also cherishing details like the perfect audio portrait of upperclass ennui ("Bibo no Aozora" by Ryuichi Sakamoto; think Phillip Glass in Japanese, but don't let that put you off), and the utterly stark beauty of Moroccan scenery ("Desert Bus Ride" by Gustavo Santaolalla, who wrote Babel's Academy Award-nominated score and whose plaintive oud may haunt you for the rest of your life. FYI, Santaolalla learned to play that traditional instrument specifically for this commission. Wow.) But the last word belongs to Babel's creator and soundtrack producer, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu: "I conceive a film as a symphony: the structure and textures are determined by the silences and spaces between them. During the entire process, I keep listening to and researching music that could be of great inspiration during the development of the script. That way, I can go forward triggering images in my mind, assimilating and filming my scenes by beats and internal rythms... I only hope that when you listen to these CDs that combine the songs of this great internal and external journey, you can also feel the distant winds and the planet caressing your skin as it spins around."

Amen.

Great soundtrack, but there is one song that I keep listening to that is "Bibo No Aozora / 04". It haunts me, and nearly brings me to tears. I really fills you up with a simple yet gorgeous piano progression and the almost menacing cellos. Just incredible!

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 27 reviews  4.3 out of 5 stars