Once Soundtrack Explores What Love Sounds Like.

I was strongly advised against reviewing the Once soundtrack until after I had watched the film. Apparently the film is more of a musical so instead of the soundtrack being a collection of songs played in the background of the movie the music is more like the script or the story itself.

But that’s not how I work here. We start with the music, period. And it has to stand on its own. Speaking from experience, I reviewed the Into the Wild soundtrack without seeing the film or reading the book. I recently watched the film in a hotel and was no worse off for being familiar with the soundtrack first. By the way the Into the Wild soundtrack really has some open-air ideas on there if you’re looking for a new disc.

Once is a love story and the soundtrack tells that story with The Frames lead singer Glen Hansard working alongside Marja Tuhkanen. The pair also star in the film. At his best Hansard will remind you of true vocalists like Van Morrison, Damien Rice, and Jeff Buckley. Hansard makes the sort of music that would sound most at home in a bar hall busting at the seams where your black leather boots stick to the floor and the cheeks are all rosy. Hansard delivers the sort of passionate scruffy vocal capable of having you screaming in your car as you drive around alone. I know I did.

The song that’s getting all the acclaim on the record is the first one. “Slowly falling” was nominated for an Oscar this week, and it’s obvious why. While great on its own, I imagine “Slowly Falling” is even better alongside the pictures. “Slowly falling” reminds me a lot of Damien Rice’s song “Blower’s Daughter” which was forever transformed by the movie Closer. If “Slowly Falling” is placed anywhere near the apex of the film it will be burned in your memory even more than it is when it jumps off the CD.

The parallels between Damien Rice and Hansard are significant. If you like one you’ll probably like the other. While Rice’s music is a bit more accessible, Hansard does have some songs that lean pop. “Leave” for instance reminds a bit of Rice’s “Woman Like a Man.” It’ has some sand paper to it as the heartbroken Hansard goes from singing to straight up screaming. This is an epic breakup song. If you know anyone sitting down in the shower these days, one listen to this should have them back on their feet and back out to the bars. “Leave” drips with passion and has some great lyrics including “won’t disappoint me I can do that myself” and “the truth has a habit of falling out of your mouth.” A good Irishman, Hansard even thanks Rice in the liner notes alongside people with last names like Guinness and Flanagan.

Hansard’s partner in this love story is Marja Tuhkanen. I must say I didn’t find as much to like in her stuff, maybe I’ll change my mind after I see the movie and put all the pieces together There was a little too much piano and melancholy to the Tuhkanen led tracks. She tends to sound like a rainy day librarian next to our hero, Hansard, with his guitar strapped across his chest.

Once is a good ride. It’s more of a film score than a typical soundtrack. Because of that you do run into some moments where you’ll feel like a 55 year old woman listening to show tunes on her way to Talbot’s. This is not ideal, but it happens mostly at the start of the disc where Tuhkanen is on display and the music is a bit too moody. It’s really pretty stuff, but gets almost into that Andrew Lloyd Webber side of things. I was much more comfortable staying in the pub with Hansard.
There’s enough on here to satisfy your purchase, and the CD gets better in the second half. “Gold” by Interference has a nice little Dave Matthews vibe to it complete with crafty guitar work and wind instruments. Crying on someone’s shoulder has never felt as good as it does on “Fallen from the Sky,” a very unique (and catchy) little squeeze box of a track. “Trying to Pull Myself Away” sounds like standard radio friendly soundtrack rock. While not out of place, the production gloss is a nice surprise. We get more passion throwing rocks at your window with “Say It To Me Now” as well as some nice duets including “When Your Mind’s Made Up.”

Restoring my faith in the world, the Once soundtrack sits at #4 on the iTunes chart. Not bad for a movie that was shot for only $160,000. Even without the benefit of the pictures in my head I must say the sound was cinematic and plenty dramatic. I suspect once I watch the film it will rise to new heights. I’d advise you to stop in the pub and check out the Once soundtrack especially “Leave” and “Say it to Me Now.” This is what love sounds like.