With artists ranging from The Prodigy, to Motörhead, to many I had never heard of, the Smokin' Aces soundtrack literally offers something from practically every music genre.
One of my favorite tracks, The Prodigy’s "First Warning," is the kind of techno beats that could just as easily be heard in a Spin class as at a local club. Another stand-alone tune is "Big White Cloud" by John Cale, an angsty, country-sounding song that kept my interest throughout.
I was at a total loss when it came to Motörhead’s "Ace of Spades," as I'm not a metal head — in short, the tune almost made my eardrums bleed. But it was used in the trailer for the film and is sure to make metal fans happy.
"Down on the Street" by The Stooges brought more hard, edgy noise to the album, but it was tempered with a bit of punk, which allowed me to appreciate it (a bit).
On the rap side, "Play Your Cards Right" by Common featuring Bilal, harkens back to old-school rap, and "I Gotcha' Back" by GZA/Genius has a more updated rap sound (but of the two, I always like it old school).
The album was heavy on the soul, with "Trespassing" by the Skull Snaps bringing a little bit of R&B, "Touch Me Again" by Bernard Pretty Purdie offering smooth sounds, and Joe Bataan's "Under the Street Lamp" representing pure old school R&B. Needless to say, I liked the latter the best.
Giving a nod to the '70s was Nilton Castro’s "Segura O Sambura," a psychedelic trip of a tune, and "Save Yourself" by The Make Up. Not to be left out, "I Love You" by The Bees grooves like a slow, '60s love songs.
Ennio Morricone’s "Morte Di Un Soldato (The Good, The Bad and The Ugly)," is another old-sounding song, maybe from a '50s era, which makes sense considering he’s been around forever and contributed to numerous films over the years.
Then there's Trivium’s "Like Light to the Flies," which rocks out alternative style.
Clint Mansell, who’s written tons of scores for films, closes out the album with the final two tracks. The first, "FBI," and the second, "Shell Shock," are both instrumental. While "FBI" proves sinister sounding, "Shell Shock" is more uplifting and emotionally moving.
Of all the music presented, ironically, I liked Mansell's scores the most. Go figure. And yes, the Smokin' Aces soundtrack is a hodge-podge of artists and music, but that's the beauty of soundtracks in the first place.
Article comments
1 - justin
what song was playing during the final scene? this was where ryan reynolds was sitting between the 2 hospital beds with the fbi trying to get into the room.
i can't find it anywhere. do you know where i could listen to it?
2 - writnkitten
it's called "dead reckoning" by clint mansell
happy listening!
3 - george
whats the name of the song that playing in the back round when alicia keys is being offered the contract I cant find it on the soundtrack
4 - Michael
What was the song playing when the tremor brothers are killing everybody then one of them gets his leg cut off by the chainsaw?
5 - tamsin
The song is "Spottieottiedopaliscious" by OutKast.
6 - g
that last track my mansell is amazing. he is one great composer
7 - Damon
what is the name of the song the tremor brothers were linstening to in there car before they killed ben afleck, and martin henderson
8 - trannakay
incredible clint mansell - dead reckoning!
9 - Cam
whats the name of the song played during the dvd menu and when jack dupree is telling his mates about the hit.
they are the same song but what is it called?
10 - jackky
what's the name of the song played when the tremor brothers jump out of the elevator and sontunes in the build up to when alica keyes fights the FBI agent?
11 - handle
what is the song when the guy kiled ben aflack and the guy was staring at him
12 - bad review
I doubt the reviewer knows anything about music,
i'll keep my rant real short...
1) How does ace of spades make your ears bleed and act like only metal heads like it, It's one of the most mainstream metal songs ever made liked by almost everyone
2)Play Your Cards Right definitely has an old school vibe, but not old school hip hop vibe, R&B? maybe but not hip hop
3)I Gotcha Back has a more updated feel? apparantly you don't know about the infamous Wu-Tang Clans best lyricist since this song is REAL OLD SCHOOL it was originally on the liquid swords album which was released in 1995! over 13 years ago.
I'll stop there even though i can go on, but just puttin in my own thoughts