[.ca] Stark Raving Mad

From Amazon.com:
When the producers of the film Stark Raving Mad sought a progressive dance DJ to inject some momentum into the plot, their natural first choice was John Digweed. Yet this marks the first time the esteemed DJ has done a proper soundtrack, which seems especially odd given how intertwined dance music and film have become in recent years. Working closely with his Bedrock partner Nick Muir, Digweed uses the opportunity to compose a few brilliant new tracks ("Beautiful Strange," first and foremost) and puts together a solid mix featuring Moonface, Evolution, and other worthy artists. Though it never sounds like a film score (the occasional sampled piece of dialogue aside), the record does feel somewhat incomplete without the film. But while Digweed's relatively controlled vibe keeps this 2-disc set distinct from his usual thump-filled work, tracks like Voyager's "Time Travel" definitely move, and Digweed's always-excellent ear makes for an interesting listen. --Matthew Cooke

balances movie needs with dancehall crowd wishes:
It's doubtful passionate but exceedingly polite British DJ John Digweed would ever be seen stark raving mad, so it helps to understand this is the soundtrack for the aforementioned film, about a group of young crooks throwing a rave as distraction to the heist they're pulling on the bank next door. As such, this blends incidental music composed by Digweed and production partner Nick Muir (the two form production team Bedrock) with a heaping-size portion of Bedrock-label tunes from the past three years, working effectively as both movie score and DJ set. Film dialogue segues several songs. The six original pieces stay short and to the formula of gussied up drum numbers; capable efforts from a team who've listened to thousands of records in their lifetimes. These effectively convey a tense, nervous energy suited to the film, with "Slingshot's" rapid-fire breaks and uneasy synth notes, and the raspy metallic beats of darker "Mandrian" the best of the lot. Elsewhere, SRM plays like a Bedrock's Familiar Hits package, filled with tunes proven in dance clubs worldwide: Moonface "Children of the Sun" restores a euphoric anthem to prominence, a captivating blend of Indian instrumentation and propulsive tech-beats. Tone Depth's "Rumble Fish" is by all accounts an end of the night classic, a sparse yet powerful kick drum tune with mesmerizing melody and wordless vocals. Lesser know tracks ably perform, from needle rubbing synth wig-out Nuddles "Locked On" to Lemon8's slick programmed "Lose Control" filled with secretive whispers. Though far from the rave music the film hints this to be - there's a sense of repressed energy throughout these two discs which never fully releases - Stark Raving Mad manages to juggle the needs of movie fan listeners and dedicated dancehall crowd.

Very Good Just Takes Some Time:
This Album is very good but there is something about it that makes it special or different then other of John's albums. It has some very good tracks some from is bedrock albums. I think what makes this kind of different is because it has to deal with the movie. Both discs are about the same but I think that most people will be listening to the second disc more than the first because it has better groves. I personally like the second disc because of the last few tracks and especially the last drum'n'bass track called "A Better Place". I have other works of Digweed and Muir and this one so far is one of there best. But I think that they should have got rid of the vocals in some tracks. I think the reason why this album was not rated high by other costumers is because they expected a lot from Digweed, because I did before I bought this album. After hearing Hong Kong and Bedrock I would think this album would be amazing and it is, is just takes some time.

The Unexpected:
Wow, I didn't even read the reviews for this CD before I bought it, so I had no idea that it was going to be a "soundtrack" for a movie. So of course I was expecting sound changes, a various set of sounds to fit the mood of previous Northern Exposures CDs. But no, it was nothing of the such, But in either case it's a great CD. It should be perfect for playing Counter Strike with. There are some unbalenced changes in the tracks but I felt that shouldn't go against my rating. The CD is good and all I can say is, where's the movie? I'm not quite sure how to explain the feeling from each CD, but like most people have said, Disc2 is the better pick. Only because it's more of a faster dance beat for clubbing. Disc1 just gets you started.

Stark Raving Mad Soundtrack is as Awesome as the Film!:
I bought the album the night it came out and was befuddled to discover it was the soundtrack for a film that Diggers had scored. Not only are the tracks his chunkiest and best from the past few years, but there were some FANTASTIC new mixes such as Apollo Vibe as well as some great mood pieces like Gregory and Statue. Needless to say, I was anxious to see the film, but I watched and watched and watched. I searched the internet for this mystery film and finally I just bought a copy of the movie off EBAY, and let me just say this... Digweed's music is made even better by this thumpin' heist film. It makes Swordfish look like the piece of studio garbage it is. Digweed's soundtrack to Stark has a realistic club environment sound and the tracks are all mixed on the DVD in Dolby 5.1 so you can put the sound through the roof while listening to the film. I know the movie was released to great acceptance to European audiences who loved it, but it still has not come to theaters in the United States. At any rate, let me just say that this movie is the visual equivalent of a club night with Digweed. Digweed chose some kickin' directors to make his debut and kudos to our shy prince of beats for helping make Stark Raving Mad the best indie film since E Tu Mama Tambien and Groove. Also kudos to directors Drew Daywalt and David Schneider for finally exploiting this great music in a film the way that no one has done yet. All in all, five stars out of five on the soundtrack and five out of five on an awesome film.

Are you sure your awake or still dreaming:
Do you ever get this feeling, wondering if time is slowly suffocating you in a frenzy of pulsating fury , surely this cd will trigger just that...with a superb track selection, catchy unreleased movie quotes, and the sort of unique uplifting sensation digweed provides us. You will find yourself quoting movie clips never released, the anticipation is almost unbearable. Splendid release leaving you gasping for air.

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