1 |
Linkin
Park - What I've Done |
2 |
Smashing
Pumpkins - Doomsday Clock |
3 |
Disturbed
- This Moment |
4 |
Goo
Goo Dolls - Before It's Too Late (Sam and Mikaela's
Theme) |
5 |
The
Used - Pretty Handsome Awkward |
6 |
HIM - Passion's Killing Floor |
7 |
Taking Back Sunday/What's It Feel Like To Be A Ghost?
(Not in Film) |
8 |
Styles
Of Beyond featuring Mike Shinoda - Second To None |
9 |
Armor For Sleep - End Of The World (Not in Film) |
10 |
Idiot
Pilot - Retina And The Sky (Not in Film) |
11 |
Julien-K
- Technical Difficulties |
12 |
Mutemath
- Transformers Theme (Not in Film) |
SOUNDTRACK REVIEW:
The other day, with California rock band Linkin Park’s
music blasting in her Nissan Sunny, a colleague commented:
“I feel almost invincible with this music playing in
my car!”
This
reviewer could not help but imagine the orange vehicle transforming
into an invincible Autobot – ah, such is the power of
rock music.
This
soundtrack album to the explosive Michael Bay mayhem contains
some of the loudest, mind-deafening music we’ve heard
for a long time. Of course, we are no experts in the rock
genre, but this fiery mix of songs by bands like the abovementioned
Linkin Park, Smashing Pumpkins and Goo Goo Dolls (be thankful
there are at least a handful whom we recognize!) may prove
to be too much for some to take.
There are many weak hearts out there, you know.
Opening
the 44-minute song compilation is Linkin Park’s “What
I’ve Done”. The synthesizer-based and drums-heavy
tune sets the tone for the otherwise thunderous soundtrack
with lots of shrills and screams from the performers. A nice
change in mood can be found in alternative rock band Goo Goo
Dolls’ Before It's Too Late (Sam and Mikaela's Theme).
If it’s any association at all, this tune is the spine
of the lovey-dovey relationship between geeky Shia LaBeouf
and sizzling hot Megan Fox’s characters in the movie.
Elsewhere,
there are other ear-splitting tracks like HIM’s “Passion's
Killing Floor” and Julien-K’s “Technical
Difficulties” which may just take a strain on the accidental
nerdy listener’s ears.
It
is a shame that none of Steve Jablonsky’s impressive
score material from the movie is included in this album (maybe
the producers are planning for a score album soon?). Instead,
there are four tracks which are not even featured in the movie.
And
probably for the sake of it, Mutemath performs an obligatory
“Transformers Theme” at the end of the disc, which
is kind of cool – but nothing beats the cool and edgy
Optimus Prime featured on the album cover.
ALBUM RATING:
Recommended Track: (4) Before It's Too Late (Sam and Mikaela's
Theme)
Review
by John Li
|