Four Recommended Soundtrack Websites

by Christopher Moore

Chris and I were pitching article ideas back and forth when we agreed that this piece, about good places to go on the net for soundtrack news, would be a great installment. The following is his opinion, and should not be confused with the official FSM opinion, which is, of course, that WE are the best. :) -LK

Those of us remember what it was like in our initial endeavors to find out more about composers, and upcoming movie's music, and the release of a score album. Unless we had subscriptions to trade magazines or knew the composers themselves, we were content to look on the credits of a film or its movie poster and wait. Impatient as some soundtrack fans can be, this was not enough. So thank the electronic wizards of this end of the information age for what we now have in the Internet.

And what have we gained with computers? The web and fans all over the globe with a handy sense of computers who have developed websites try to give us all the information we could want and need. Although sometimes not enough, as fans demand more and more, the following websites in no particular ranking provide some of the best information, opinion, etc., for the hungry film music fan.

1. http://www.movietunes.com. Movietunes is one of my favorites. It exists through the movie fan's Mecca, Hollywood Online. Movietunes just recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. In that time, the website has changed its look many times, but has always provided weekly information. Movietunes includes release dates, composer assignments, full pages noted to a particular soundtrack complete with artwork, sound files on RealAudio, a review, and various links to order soundtracks, composer filmographies, miscellaneous links and even a voting booth! The multiple genres and links to their own pages of news kept in monthly archival space makes this website chock full of information.

2. http://www.filmmusic.com. Originally dropped off the net due to miscellaneous problems, Filmmusic.com was one of the greatest websites devoted to its namesake ever. For a time, most of it's information could be accessed through Soundtrack Net. But as of Feb. 1st, it has returned in a "frames" format that gives it not only an updated look, but provides all the great information it once offered before its hiatus. Its coolest feature is a list of the music kept in background in trailers for upcoming movies (that's how I find great music from other movies that I may have passed up.). It even provides a great search base for sites with used copies available on out-of print releases, and industry information. Filmmusic.com is another great research site that matches Movietunes in features, though not in substance. Some presume Filmmusic.com's disappearance can be attributed to the popularity of Movietunes.

3. http://www.soundtrack.net. Soundtrack Net is a powerful resource of information and links. One can find tremendous links and addresses to sites of record labels both in mainstream and soundtrack-only releases. Some of the best ways to keep on top of soundtrack release dates are to contact the companies of labels themselves, and this may be one of the best springboards to get wherever a websurfer would want to go.

4. http://www.pentagonmusic.com. Want an easy way to order soundtracks at fairly reasonable prices over the net? This site, as partnered with Movietunes, provides a rich search and browse base for those shopping for soundtracks. As a link from Movietunes, you can order any soundtrack featured at both websites extremely quickly. My personal advocacy is to go to a store and buy, as buying anything over the web can yield negative results from giving out unprotected information such as credit card numbers. Still, those who know how to protect themselves and have very little trouble with this direct buying system will enjoy this site. The nice thing about Pentagon is that they have a particular section devoted to soundtracks and delineate score albums from song-filled releases, such as L.A. Confidential. Pentagon isn't primarily devoted to soundtracks, but for all that it features, it's a nice place to shop.

With these sites as a starting companion, in addition to Film Score Monthly, anyone needing information on film scores and all news therein will have a tremendous base of research material. But often times, narrowing the search proves best in getting results. Some tips on getting up-to-date information using the web include:

Try a composer site. Not all composers have one; some have more than others do. (Some are better than others.) Overall, some of the best research can rest on the sites of particular scoresmiths. The site entitled Music for a Darkened People devoted to Danny Elfman saved me a lot of frustration when looking forward to the release of the MIB score. Movietunes, Filmmusic.com and Film Score Monthly have links to these.

Try the record label releasing the score. This really starts with finding out which label is releasing the score you want, etc. Starting from Movietunes to the Sony site for the record labels is a good strategy, for example, but also cross-verifying information with other sites, like the ones aforementioned, will make sure you don't rush to buy a score that isn't quite out or isn't going to be released after all.

Check back with sites regularly. I can't stress this point enough to those who have asked me how I pick up all the news I get on soundtracks. Strategies and knowledge of the places to go are only a first step. The only way up-to-date news stays that way is if the sites listed and/or linked to are consulted periodically. From rumor of release to new assignments, go to the sites as often as you can. I wouldn't recommend daily, as most sites often are updated weekly rather than daily. [Except FSM!] Other resources: newsgroups that you can link to from either composer or soundtrack sites can also be useful. Sometimes, someone who serves as a "Wizard of Oz" type who knows something others don't will send messages those inquiring minds out there hacking at their keyboards.

Ways of gathering information for soundtracks is a lot like having an opinion: there's always more than one, and individuals aren't necessarily always right or wrong. Try everything and have fun finding it all out! Happy hunting!

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