A muffin is an American English name for a type of quick bread that is baked in small portions. Many forms are somewhat like small cakes or cupcakes in shape, although they usually are not as sweet as cupcakes and generally lack frosting. They may be filled with sweet fillings, such as chocolate, toffee, lemons or blueberries. Savory varieties, such as cornbread muffins or cheese muffins, also exist. They generally fit in the palm of an adult hand, and are intended to be consumed by an individual in a single sitting. [...] There are many varieties and flavors of muffins made with a specific ingredient such as blueberries, chocolate chips, cucumbers, raspberry, cinnamon, pumpkin, date, nut, lemon, banana, orange, peach, strawberry, boysenberry, almond, and carrot, baked into the muffin. Muffins are often eaten for breakfast; alternatively, they may be served for tea or at other meals. (source:Wiki)
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
Short thoughts on sound in “Lost Highway”.
People call me a director, but I really think of myself as a sound-man. (David Lynch)
It’s fair to say that David Lynch is a jack of all trades. Besides his interest in video arts, painting and occasional screenwriting he has managed to underline his curiosity in sound by releasing a new set of songs. Even though he has worked on soundtracks in past, his investment in sound department, curiously, has been acknowledge only lately. However it doesn’t lessen his vast understanding of sound and that it’s a fundamental part of films. Sound effects and music add another dimension to David Lynch’s films.
Sound and music within Lost Highway is an interesting case, as David Lynch, more than ever, uses heavier, darker and more contemporary music (for example, Nine Inch Nails, Rammstein, Marylin Manson) in contrast with his usual jazz, down tempo driven soundtracks as in Twin Peaks, Blue Velvet, etc., produced together with Angelo Badalamenti. In some way it’s getting back to the roots for Lynch, as similar to his debute film - Eraserhead, sound is a lot dirtier, high pitched, often use of static noise and volume decrease, but most importantly using silence as an effective technique to raise suspense. All of this proves to have an unsettling effect while watching this film. And above all it gives a clear sense of space, both physical and emotional.
It could be argued that music in Lost Highway represents the emotional state of the characters. Saxophone scene (Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhU1F7t6pp4 ) at the nightclub springs to mind. Fred seems to be extremely tense while playing the instrument, the unsettling events that have been ongoing in his house and his sexual frustration seem to have an effect on his psyche. High pitched saxophone solo seems to be a way how he relieves himself of this stress. Scene is deliberately long, chaotic and flashy, to underline ongoing confusion, frustration and tension in his personal life.
Lynch uses song samples sparingly, yet well motivated. For example, scene where Pete brakes into Andy’s house, Rammstein’s song perfectly fits the scene, portraying the adrenaline and madness that goes on in Pete’s head, it adds fair bit of confusion and has this uncomfortable feeling with it as it goes on with the visuals. Rapidly changing visuals and colours add distress and suspense. Patterns of sound usage can be observed throughout the film drawing clear soundtrack structure.
Even though film wasn’t particularly well received by audience it still has its moments of greatness, but most importantly usage of sound is up the to task, adding another dimension and arguably saving the film to some extent. The famous mystery man scene (Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZLQW2qr5Hs ) shouldn’t be forgotten, as it’s an excellent example of how to efficiently use sound and silence with little adjustments to achieve great effect.
- Ilvo K.
Short thoughts on sound in “Drive”.
Drive soundtrack’s consistency, tastefully withheld style and how it stubbornly tries to get the point across, makes you respect it and idolize whoever was responsibly for sound editing. Carefully chosen tracks which are similar in rhythm, beat and mood blur the lines of track individuality and conjure a feeling of harmony. Though what really makes this soundtrack such a curious case is how it is implemented to aid storytelling. I’d say it is rather rare to encounter film soundtracks of this kind and mission. I would argue that music works as a narratives foreteller. From the very first seconds it sets the tone for the rest of the film. Synthetic, electronic beats. Duo of male and female vocals, one representing a darker, non-human side expressing his hidden, restrained thoughts and desires as well as untold truth about him.
I’m giving you a night call to tell you how I feel, I want to drive you through the night, down the hills , I’m gonna tell you something you don’t want to hear, I’m gonna show you where it’s dark, but have no fear.
The other voice is a complete contrast - a gentle, bright female voice which struggles to understand its fellow companion. It’s curious, soft and overwhelming.
There something inside you, It’s hard to explain, They’re talking about you boy, But you’re still the same.
It outlines the ongoing struggle of the actual film characters throughout the film. Both failing to contemplate and decipher each other. Meanwhile rest of the world seems to be just a temporary obstacle. This film seems to thrive on intertextuality, and rather than having a simply aesthetic value music seems to be a tool to represent secret desires, dreams and motivations of the characters we see. Thus’ it could be said that lyrics have a “speak for” function. Soundtrack directly interferes and tries to feed you the message that the character holds. As said before, in comparison to some soundtracks which are used for pure aesthetical reasons and as emotional irritants, it’s surprisingly refreshing and effective.
If observing this film audience might start to wonder about the main male characters motivation and why he makes the decisions he makes as the story progresses, they ought to hear these two lines from lyrics that are constantly played throughout the film and it should become much clearer.
A real human being, And a real hero.
The main character strives to be a hero, it’s his own personal mission. Throughout the film he seems to be more of a machine, someone who doesn’t feel, doesn’t respond or react as your “average Joe” would. It could be that the lyrics also try to notify us of his alienation from the world, character doesn’t belong to this world. On some occasions it seems that he’s even above law and rules. He’s like an outdated knight in modern world, whose heroism is ironically triggered by love towards the “single” mother in need. As soon as he takes on his heroic mission it becomes clear that only tragedy can solve this story, yet this feeling of doom and irreversible chain of destiny only adds to an already solid film as a whole.
- Ilvo K.
