Review: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis's soundtrack for the National Geographic documentary about an imagined 2033 manned mission to Mars feels like a sketch for the atmospheric soundscapes of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' 2016 album Skeleton Tree. Both works inhabit the same dark-hued, super-charged sonic atmosphere. Cave's cinematic music, enriched by Ellis's imaginative contributions, explores a wide range of sounds: distorted guitars in 'Space X,' sibylline keyboard arpeggios in 'Space Station,' and vast synthesized swathes evoking space's void. 'Planetarium' features soulful drones and synthesized strings, creating anticipation and stillness. With few vocals, this ambient soundtrack is perfect for chilling out and daydreaming. It's a departure from the intense emotions of the Bad Seeds, reflecting Cave's inward focus after personal tragedy. Unlike many soundtracks, this one stands apart, integral to Cave and Ellis's collaboration, and can be savored without thinking about Mars. Now available on vinyl for the first time!
Review: Martin Scorsese's Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues series may not be the Academy Award-winning director's most famous contribution to popular culture, but the PBS documentary film saga, in which the legendary director takes us on a journey through the development of a sound he holds dear to his heart, is well worth looking for. Featuring luminaries such as John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, and more, each episode welcomes a different filmmaker, allowing them to refocus on artists they love. For this album spin-off, we centre attention on the mighty Stevie Ray Vaughan, one of the most influential of all blues musicians who tragically died at the age of 35 in a helicopter crash. Although far younger than many of the greats he's often listed alongside, his exceptional abilities on the guitar, and often unique sonics, set him apart from almost anyone else, alive or dead. Listen to what we mean here.
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