1 |
Opening
Titles (3:20) |
2 |
The Call, Kabul 1978 (2:32) |
3 |
He Hates Me (1:07) |
4 |
Kite
Shop (3:06) |
5 |
Sin
(1:34) |
6 |
Tanha Shudam Tanha (3:35) |
7 |
Kite Tournament (5:40) |
8 |
Hassan
Theme (2:57) |
9 |
Az Man Begurezed (5:04) |
10 |
Plant
The Watch (1:29) |
11 |
Russians
Invade (2:22) |
12 |
The
Truth (1:59) |
13 |
Omaid
e Man (1:47) |
14 |
Fuel
Tanker (3:09) |
15 |
End
Phone Call (2:06) |
16 |
The
Stadium (2:33) |
17 |
Escape
(3:09) |
18 |
Dukhtare
Darya (3:42) |
19 |
Fly
a Kite (4:27) |
20 |
Reading
The Letter (2:49) |
21 |
Supplication
(4:05) |
SOUNDTRACK REVIEW:
Oscar-nominated composer Alberto Iglesias (he Constant Gardener)
gets points for scoring this Marc Foster-directed drama set
in Afghanistan. The Spanish talent, who is known for his works
in several of director Pedro Almodovar’s films like
Volver (2006) and Talk to Her (2002), creates a mood that
is both culturally apt and universally touching in his latest
composition. Already nominated for Best Original Score at
the upcoming Golden Globes, it won’t be surprising to
see Islesias garner a nomination for this score during the
Oscars.
There
are 62 generous minutes of music on this album, and the different
cues evoke different moods in the listener. The wistful “Opening
Titles” kick off the disc with some melancholy melody
before the track reaches a crescendo of energetic Middle Eastern-influenced
rhythm. The simple ethnic guitar strums with soft percussions
in the background ends this track on a hopeful note. “The
Kite Shop” reprises this feel with a lively yet thoughtful
tune featuring a woodwind solo. “The Kite Tournament”
is a sparkling high-spirited five-minute cue that paints happy
and joyful pictures in your mind.
The
more forlorn moods come from tracks like “Hassan Theme”
and “The Truth” where sorrowful themes are the
main draw. There are also perilous and daunting cues like
“The Stadium” and “Escape” which further
exemplifies the composer’s versatility.
Listen
out for traditional tunes “Tanha Shudam Tanha”
and “Az Man Begurezed” performed by 1970s Afghan
icon Ahmad Zahir, contemporary compositions “Omaid e
Man” and “Dukhtare Darya” sung by exiled
Afghan singer Ehsan Aman (the musician chose to live his country
to avoid a confrontation that could kill him), and the very
hauntingly beautiful “Supplication” by Muslim
British singer-songwriter Sami Yusuf. The holy and spiritual
chants preceding Yusuf’s magnetic vocals will leave
you impressed with the entire album’s culturally-rich
elements.
ALBUM
RATING:
Recommended Track: (7) Kite Tournament
Review
by John Li
|