Can a film score be the sign of a comeback? One-time indie flick darling David Gordon Green, who debuted with the hypnotic George Washington and solidified his artistic cred via All the Real Girls and Snow Angels, broke into the mainstream not too far back riding the left-field hilarity of Pineapple Express and HBO's Eastbound & Down. But then came Your Highness and The Sitter and Green's swift, shocking transition from respected cinematic poet to crass, juvenile-minded pariah. His latest upcoming film, Prince Avalanche, looks to straddle the space between his former arthouse aspirations and his more current penchant for silliness, but does a well-crafted soundtrack by Explosions in Sky promise an at least partial return to greatness?
Joining with usual Green collaborator David Wingo, Explosions in the Sky present a far different musical approach to scoring than their soaring take on the Friday Night Lights' soundtrack. Relying much more on acoustic and analog sounds than in previous efforts, the songs from Prince Avalanche are slighter, shorter and less epic in scope than their most famous The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place-era cuts. They are, however, as gentle, melodic, and peaceful as these earlier shimmering strains that brought the post-rockers so much acclaim.
Although many of the tracks on the record run two minutes or less, each small shard of sound contributes to a richer whole. Whether Green's film shares this quality is to be seen. But what can be surmised is that the director has aligned himself with the right musical talent to make any film sparkle. Even if the new film, starring Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch, proves an unfortunate disaster, at least it will feature some charming aural ambiance.
Prince Avalanche, if nothing else, has allowed Explosions in the Sky to find new dimensions and possibilities in their music, perhaps thanks to Wingo's input. Even if the safer swell of the gripping "Join Me On My Avalanche" suggests the band may be at their best when lodged comfortably within their niche, the softer acoustic guitar-piano-horns combo that encompasses most of the score is more than lovely. Ending with a delightful "Send Off," the Prince Avalanche OST is a semi-subtle triumph. One can only hope the film matches its score.
Grade: B+
Engaging and beautifully shot, this is an enjoyably offbeat comedy with a stripped-down script and pair of pitch-perfect comic performances from Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch.