Customer Reviews

The Sweet Hereafter: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although the instrumental score by Mychael Danna is admirable, it certainly doesn't have the zing of a score you will want to play over and over, like you would a Morricone, Williams, Goldsmith or Barry score - but nonetheless, you will be compelled to listen to the Celtic inspired score more than a few times for its haunting moody vibe. However, the real surprise and absolute beauty of this album are the vocal pieces by actress Sarah Polley (Dawn of the Dead remake). She proves that her singing ability is right on par with her acting talents. The five tracks are mainly cover tunes or have been written by other artists such as The Tragically Hip (Courage - best track on the score, and I am sure you will find them to be the kinds of tracks you will return to over the course of your life and will serve to be soothing when experiencing hardship or minor depressions - don't let this deter you, this kind of music is necessary in this age of anxiety and confusion. In the end, you will be asking yourself: "What the hell is Sarah Polley doing in movies like Dawn of the Dead 2004 (I am a huge fan of the original), she needs to be in the recording studio cutting an album!" Voices and artists like Polley would be so refreshing in this vapid musical landscape owned by the likes of girls named Brittany, Christina (good voice, bad songs and lyrics), and Hilary and many other one trick ponies. C'mon Sarah, smarten up the music scene putting all you activists talents into an album and give us another choice over all these bubble gum fades.

That sums it up. I saw the movie, heard the version of 'Courage', couldn't believe it was Sarah Polly singing it, and had to have it. I expected little from the rest of the CD -- sountrack music dissociated from watching the film is typically a 'glass-half-empty' experience for me -- but I was hopeful that the other Polly-vocaled tunes might be listenable. They came off as lightweight to me. But I can listen to that version of 'Courage' over and over again.

For me, this is one of those times where the one track is worth the price of the entire CD. I suggest you watch the movie (wonderful), and if the song is still swimming in your head weeks after you see it, then get this CD.

while the heartwrenching vocals of sarah polley are enough to make you weep while you listen i feel a few happy songs wouldn't go astray personnally having never seen the film if you were someone who was very emotional i would probably say dont go see it but definitly buythe soundtrack. i also feel that if you are unsure whether to buy it and want to listen to it a good song to preview would be number six 'courage'. because this song alone magnifies the beauty of this soundtrack. also the main reason to buy this album having never seen the film is 'courage'.for those die hard 'charmed' fans who've been searching the web for months looking for the name of this song! as i have heard many people have been! good luck and i hope you enjoy. sl signing off!

I'm a fan of Mychael Danna's soundtracks (Lilies, Kama Sutra, etc.) and also a fan of actress Sarah Polley (the Ramona series, Baron Munchausen, the Road to Avonlea series, Exotica, Go, etc.), so to have them together on this soundtrack is an excellent treat. Sarah's voice is sweet and pure, lending a unique sound to the covers and a wonderful new talent to the original songs. I only wish there was more of her singing -- the straight Danna tracks are dull in comparison to the ones where he and Sarah P collaborate.

Sarah Polley is the heroine of this soundtrack. I don't necessarily feel that the soundtrack would be brilliant without her contributions as vocalist. This is not a soundtrack that could stand on its own without her voice. The score fit the film extremely well, but to make this soundtrack worth the money and the five star rating, Sarah Polley's tracks were essential. "Courage" has come to be one of my favourite songs, and her renditions of "One More Colour" and "The Sweet Hereafter" are so otherworldly and powerful that you can just... feel the impact! Based on Polley's talent here, you will not regret buying this CD and won't mind playing it incessantly. (In fact I bought the CD and recorded "Courage" three or four times in a row for listening to in the car! Yeah, that's how good it is!)

Buying this recording based only on other listener's reviews on Amazon and my own familiarity with Danna's outstanding previous works, I was not to be disappointed!

Sweet Hereafter may be his most shining work to date. Sarah Polley is exquisite, a prefected cross between Amiee Mann and Mazy Starr, her voice entrances the listener into a state of involuntary meditation (we all need that once in awhile). I found myself sitting, eyes closed, floating to the captivating and well balanced blend of both voice and strictly instrumental tracks. Although I didn't see this movie, this is one of the few soundtrack albums that can very obviously get away with entertaining the listener without having to rely on a sentimentality factor, it's just a great stand alone CD. Definitely one of those CD's you'll play over and over again and not be tempted to hit the fast forward button, every track is worthy.

Click the "Buy Button" on this one NOW, you're robbing yourself of a delicious treat if you don't.

A friend gave me the soundtrack after I had lost another friend--although the songs are not uplifting, I can't tell you how comforting they were. Danna's music, drawing from the Celtic style, is haunting and lovely, and Sarah Polley's singing voice is beautiful (her versions of the title song and "Courage" are heartbreaking). I know she is an actress/activist, but if she ever wishes to record another CD, I will buy it.

Mychael Danna has created a beautiful, haunting, somewhat mystical score for The Sweet Hereafter. Every song is equally good as the rest. The real standouts on the CD though, are those tracks featuring vocals by Sarah Polley (The Sweet Hereafter, One More Colour, Courage, Dog Track Drizzle, and Boy). The lyrics are poetic, and she has a gorgeously fragile voice.

after seeing this movie and hearing the opening music accompanying Ian Holms journey through the car wash..I was never the same. This film comes back to me over and over...and I cannot raise my hands any higher in praise for Egoyan or Danna. If one has not seen or heard this film or music then you are denying yourself a journey into a world that is so haunting, harsh, and unforgiving but despairingly beautiful at the same time.

I think the music especially Polly's version of The Tragically Hips Courage proves she is a dynamic dame headed for great heights.

This is the quiet work of masters.

As I watched the movie, "The Sweet Hereafter", I was completely captured by the music. It touched me deeply, and spoke to me of pain, loss, love, heartbreak and hope. Sarah Polly has a beautiful angelic voice that shot straight into my soul. The instrumentals are dark backdrop of a town of people trying to hide their secrets in silence. The songs of Sarah are the message of her heart. There is a Celtic feel to the songs, reminding me of a misty forest in a forgotten land. I highly recommend this CD. It evokes soul-searching, but also relaxes, as if luring one off guard so that the truth may sneak up.