American Beauty

Label: Dreamworks Records
Release Year: 1999
Barcode: 600445021020
Country: Europe
Product Type: CD (Pre-owned)
Score or Soundtrack: Score and Soundtrack
Composer: Thomas Newman

American Beauty, directed by Sam Mendes and released in 1999, is celebrated for its profound exploration of suburban life and the human condition. The film's soundtrack, composed by Thomas Newman, perfectly complements its themes and adds another layer of emotional depth. Newman's score, characterized by minimalist piano melodies and haunting strings, became iconic in its own right.

The soundtrack earned Newman his third Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score. Its atmospheric compositions are integral to the film's tone and narrative resonance, enhancing moments of beauty, tension, and introspection. Additionally, the soundtrack features contributions from alternative rock band The Folk Implosion, whose song "Nothing's Gonna Stop the Flow" captures the film's disillusionment and yearning for escape. Another noteworthy aspect is the collaboration with British musician and composer Peter Gabriel, whose song "Dead Already" serves as a poignant reflection on mortality and existential angst.

Furthermore, the soundtrack includes tracks by revered artists such as Bobby Darin, Peggy Lee, and Elliott Smith, whose poignant ballad "Because" adds a melancholic layer to the film's exploration of longing and desire. American Beauty's soundtrack transcends mere background music, becoming a vital component of its storytelling and emotional impact. Newman's compositions, along with carefully curated songs, contribute to the film's enduring legacy and cultural significance.

Track Listing

1.Dead Already
Thomas Newman

2.Because
Elliott Smith

3.Free to Go
The Folk Implosion

4.All Right Now
Free

5.Use Me
Bill Withers

6.Cancer For the Cure 
Eels

7.The Seeker
The Who

8.Don't Rain On My Parade
Bobby Darin

9.Open the Door
Betty Carter

10.We Haven't Turned Around
Gomez

11.Bali Ha'i
Peggy Lee

12.Any Other Name
Thomas Newman

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