Search - Mike Patton :: A Perfect Place

Straight film score, nicely packaged with the film.

Michael Stack | North Chelmsford, MA USA | 03/18/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

""A Perfect Place" is (to my knowledge) the first soundtrack recording by Mike Patton, packaged together with a DVD of the film. I'll tackle the score first, since it was the reason I (and I assume most others) chose to purchase this.



Patton's score, performed largely by the composer (with the exception of percussion performances on a couple tracks by Danny Heifetz and William Winant), is seeped in the sounds of many of the great film score composers. Like Morricone, Patton develops a single theme, which comes swirling in and out over and over again to great effect. Like Barry, Patton mixes in swaggering horns and latin percussion ("Main Title" and particularly "Batucada"). And like Zorn, he keeps twisting and turning, building senses of mystery with simple instrumental arrangements (the vibes-driven "Seriously Disturbed", the groaning sounds mixed with the delicate synths on theme restatement "Another Perfect Place") and a seemingly endless series of influences and genres (check the downright authentic church organ strains of "Catholic Tribe").



Along the way, we also get a trio of vocal features-- "A Perfect Twist" gives Patton a chance for a pop workout over a chugging swing rhythm, while "A Dream of Roses" shows off his straightahead swing chops. The latter, featured coming out of the radio of an elderly woman in the movie, is particularly engaging, Patton's effort for period authenticity is staggering in its success, right down to the gentle analog noise consistent with older recordings. Patton also takes a stab at a straightahead opera sound on "Il Cupo Delore", which, while perhaps not the best piece ever, shows a vocal side of him we've yet to see and is staggering if nothing else in the effectiveness of his voice.



All in all, the score is fairly engaging and well worth a listen-- I have questions whether it's the kind of thing I'll find myself coming back to, but in the past couple days as I've played it, I've rather enjoyed it.



The film itself, written and directed by Derrick Scocchera and starring character actor Mark Boone, Jr. (Memento, Batman Begins (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition)) and Bill Moseley (any number of horror films, from The Devil's Rejects to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) , is, if nothing else, a fine illustration into the glories of black and white cinematography. Using monochrome along with Patton's score to generate a beautiful noir scape, the film tells the story of an accidental murder and the attempt to hide the evidence. Rife with moral ambiguity and an ever-deepening sensation of staggering incompetence on the part of the main characters, it is engaging and has that feeling of ending where it began. Boone is perfect in the role of straight man, Moseley plays with a bit of an edginess to his character that at times threatens to compromise the role, but but pull off their parts well and really, I can't say enough about the film's production value-- it is beautifully

shot and looks just fantastic.



Bottom line-- this is a nice package, glad I picked it up. Recommended."

It's about time!

Matthew Grant | Washington, DC | 05/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So, I'm a Mike Patton junkie....but I'm one of those junkies that can admit when something he does sucks, so I don't feel too biased in saying that this is brilliant...



The fact that the film and the score come together, makes this one of the most sensible purchases of the year. The film is exactly what you'd expect, It looks gorgeous, and holds your interest, The performances are great, and it's a shame that this is essentially coming into the world as a cult film, because more people should be able to see it.



The score is one Patton fans have waited for for years...it's the type of score that can be used as background music when you're driving, or cleaning the house, but that also begs to have you sit down with a glass of wine and just absorb it all, every note, and every sound. Rare is the music that lets you do both of those things with it."

Mike Patton is perfect once again

Michael Armpriester | Lebanon, P.A. | 05/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mike Patton writes and performs a great sound track for this movie. The movie itself is funny and the music fits perfect! If you like most Mike Patton stuff, you will have no problem with this. Very, very glad I bought it. I cant wait to see what he does next!!!"