Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou Soundtrack CD

Renowned for the eclectic RUSHMORE and THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS soundtracks, director Wes Anderson and music supervisor Randall Poster once again offer up a fascinating variety of songs for Anderson's THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU. The 2004 film, which follows the adventures of an eccentric undersea exploration group, is most traditionally adorned by the typically charming Mark Mothersbaugh (of Devo fame) score and two tracks ("Shark Attack Theme" and "Open Sea Theme") by Norwegian composer Sven Libaek.

However, the most notable aspect of THE LIFE AQUATIC soundtrack is the presence of not one, but seven, David Bowie songs. Only two of these tunes ("Life on Mars?" and "Queen Bitch," both from 1971's HUNKY DORY) actually feature Bowie; the other five tracks are performed by Seu Jorge, who contributes gentle, lo-fi renditions of "Starman," "Rebel Rebel," and others in Portuguese. Other artists include folk singer Joan Baez ("Here's to You"), flamenco guitarist Paco De Lucia ("La Nina de Puerta Oscura"), and cult British crooner Scott Walker ("30 Century Man"), making for an album that perfectly captures the various moods of Anderson's quirky film.

M.Mothersbaugh/S.Jorge/Bowie/ J.Baez/Zombies/S.Walker +

Composer: Mark Mothersbaugh.Rolling Stone (No. 967, p.84) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[Seu Jorge's Bowie covers] reinvent Seventies glam anthems...as laid-back, samba-flecked gems..."
Uncut (p.114) - 4 stars out of 5 - "The effect's oddly spellbinding..."