Best sources of music to avoid making a movie 'dated'?

Pigman II

I'm interested in a discussion about which types of contempory music (specifically musical genres) do you believe could be applied to a movies score that will speak to todays audiences - but will also will not seem 'dated' to future audiences. The classic example of this is of course orchestral music which more often that not can cross the generational gap, but for the basis of this particular discussion I feel is too easy an answer to give.

For an example of what should be avoided, at the other end of the scale is disco music which may very well have been appropriate to audiences of the late 70's but which when reviewed today gives nearly all movies that it is applied to give an awful dated feeling as tho you are watching something from not just an other era but also another planet!

My own feeling is that non-lyrics electronic music is the way to go but maybe even that has had it's day? So, what kind of music is around today that could be applied to movies that will ensure they probably won't feel dated in a generation from now?

indough

if youre talking about songs then best to pick stuff thats already stood the test of time ie classic songs, soul, rock or whatever, if you mean original score then it has to be orchestral or john carpenter-esque synthy stuff :pac:

bnt

Well, orchestral music is pretty timeless, not tied to any particular era. I also think Michael Mann has made really effective use of Ambient and Experimental music in his films, especially Heat (1995). The soundtrack for that is stunning, with some famous names (Brian Eno, Moby), but also a few cult figures from the jazzy avant garde, like Michael Brook, Lisa Germano, and Terje Rypdal. Ambient doesn't really date, either, probably because it never gets any radio airplay. .

Earthhorse

Pigman II wrote: »

My own feeling is that non-lyrics electronic music is the way to go but maybe even that has had it's day? So, what kind of music is around today that could be applied to movies that will ensure they probably won't feel dated in a generation from now?

Yes, orchestral music, as you say, is the best way to go to give the music that timeless feel. I'm listening to the new God is an Astronaut album as I type this. So I agree that the music should be non-lyrics based but not necessarily electronic.

bnt is spot on with Michael Mann. Whatever its failings Miami Vice had a great soundtrack using Mogwai and also a Linkin' Park song - stripped of its lyrics.

Fysh

Minimalist electronic material a la Philip Glass will work to some extent, but the problem is really that it depends how the music is being used. Either:

a)) you want music that isn't connected to any kind of popular music (popular in the "gets significant radio airplay" sense) so that you don't get tied to a particular era when that genre was popular, or

b) you want something that's well-known but has a lasting popularity.

In case a) you're looking at instrumental music preferably composed specifically for your film - whether that be on a Moog synth or a classical guitar is down to the film-makers. You're banking on the type of music you use not becoming part of a future segment of pop music, though.

In case b) you're talking about looking through music that has been around for say 20 years or more and is still popular. It will still date you in a certain sense, but not as immediately as would using disco or any type of music which was extremely popular for a relatively short period of time.

Altar_Ego_Boy

bnt wrote: »

Well, orchestral music is pretty timeless, not tied to any particular era. I also think Michael Mann has made really effective use of Ambient and Experimental music in his films, especially Heat (1995). The soundtrack for that is stunning, with some famous names (Brian Eno, Moby), but also a few cult figures from the jazzy avant garde, like Michael Brook, Lisa Germano, and Terje Rypdal. Ambient doesn't really date, either, probably because it never gets any radio airplay. .

I totally agree as Manns 90s films are still fresh but the soundtracks to his 80s stuff ('Manhunter', 'The Keep') are terribly dated so whos the say 'Heat'/'Insider' wont age too

Altar_Ego_Boy

Heres a question for my learned friends:

Would you consider the Walter/Wendy Carlos electronic versions of classical songs for 'Clockwork Orange' and 'The Shining' dated?

On the one hand they wouldnt be made in this day and age. They sound like they are very much of their time then again ive never heard anything like them before or since so maybe theyre fresh in their own way.

bnt

Altar_Ego_Boy wrote: »

Would you consider the Walter/Wendy Carlos electronic versions of classical songs for 'Clockwork Orange' and 'The Shining' dated?

They sound dated to me, at least partly because the music is limited by technology that went in to it: Moog synthesiser, multitracked. Maybe it's also the idea of "updated" classics that's dated - think "Hooked On Classics". :eek:

PS in my earlier post I meant Lisa Gerrard, not Lisa Germano. They have similar names, and were both on 4AD Records, but the similarity ends there. Lisa Gerrard is also featured on the Gladiator soundtrack:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsVLOa1x3zo

mike65

Music will always "date" to a degree, be its the style of writing - compare an orchestral score by say Dimitri Tomkin to one by Jerry Goldsmith to one by Hans Zimmer or the use of actual sounds - obviously synths come to mind as mentioned. A bunch of contempory songs is the worst as you will immediatly associate them with the period of release

Silly discussion really at the end of the day - either you like the music or you don't and its a bad filum that can't overcome the music score.

keefg

There's some young up & coming filmmaker called Woody Allen who makes great use of classic jazz tracks on pretty much all of his films.

Hasn't done his films any harm and they are still enjoyable to watch.

Nolanger

Pigman II wrote: »

what should be avoided, at the other end of the scale is disco music which may very well have been appropriate to audiences of the late 70's but which when reviewed today gives nearly all movies that it is applied to give an awful dated feeling as tho you are watching something from not just an other era but also another planet!

Superbad?

Makaveli

Superbad has a funk soundtrack not a disco one.

SpitfireIV

Anyone ever see the movie 'Gallipoli'? talk about dated music (or perhaps even tacky?!).

It featues some nice classical music, especially 'Adagio in G minor', but then they (being the 80's I suppose) also added a really dodgy techno/trance piece by Jean Michel Jarre called 'Oxygene'.

Amazing movie, and like I said, some nice classical pieces in it, but that 'Oxygene' really really dates it! :rolleyes: