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John Wick (soundtrack)

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John Wick: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Film score by
Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard
ReleasedOctober 21, 2014 (2014-10-21) (digital)
October 27, 2014 (2014-10-27) (physical) [1]
Recorded2014
GenreSoundtrack
hip hop
electronic
rock
Length62:33
LabelVarèse Sarabande
ProducerTyler Bates
Joel J. Richard
Dylan Eiland
John Wick soundtrack chronology
John Wick
(2014) 		John Wick: Chapter 2
(2017)
Tyler Bates chronology
Guardians of the Galaxy
(2014) 		John Wick
(2014) 		The Belko Experiment
(2016)
Joel J. Richard chronology
John Wick
(2014) 		John Wick: Chapter 2
(2017)

John Wick: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the original soundtrack album to the 2014 film John Wick starring Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen, Adrianne Palicki and Willem Dafoe.[2] It contains twenty-seven tracks from the original film score written and composed by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard, with songs performed by Ciscandra Nostalghia, The Candy Shop Boys, and M86 & Susie Q, Le Castle Vania, and features violin player Scott Tixier.[3][4]

History

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Having been friends for some time, as well as having and sharing common interests and taste in music,[5] both Bates and Richard have wanted to work together musically for some period of time.[6] Director Chad Stahelski and producer Dave Leitch approached Bates to write the score for John Wick after filming had completed, and it was then that Bates had the thought of working with Richard, explaining, "Joel came to the table with great ideas and a sensibility that was exactly as I felt we should approach the music."[5]

On July 11, 2014, it was officially announced that Bates and Richard had composed the score for the film.[7]

Development

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Both Stahelski and Leitch had expressed to both Bates and Richard they wished for the compositions of the film to be in line with John Wick's alter ego and former life, with Richard describing the two as wanting a "fun, raw, aggressive, unorthodox score", as well as the emphasis on the music of the piece being able to create an atmosphere to differentiate between the set pieces and fight sequences of John Wick.[5] For the score of John Wick, Bates explained that the first words of musical direction that came from Stahelski and Leitch was that they wished for a score to "kick ass in the same aesthetic paradigm that IS John Wick's world",[6] the combination of film and musical tonality.[5]

To conceptualize the score both Bates and Richard were of the mind that the suitable approach to tackle such a score would be to "get into the headspace of John Wick" as well as understanding the tone and essence of Wick's story too, as opposed to jumping right into composition straight away without any emotional attachment.[5] Of the opening sequence, Richard stated, "[It] was the first scene tackled. It was originally much longer and contained elements from the end of the film."[6] Le Castle Vania, who are long-time collaborators of Bates and Richard, made their film scoring début by contributing several pieces of original music which was written specifically for various high energy scenes in the film.[8]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Blue Print Review[9][unreliable source?]

Ignatiy Vishnevetsky of The A.V. Club praised the score and Kaleida's "Think", stating, "one of the most effective and eccentric sound track choices in a recent action movie—underscores the sense that what the viewer is watching is essentially a very loud and bloody dance piece."[10]

Erik Avellaneda of Entertainment Voice highly praised the musical score, for which he stated, "The music is a nod to classic rock and modern techno. This heightens the film’s mystical, playful nature and only strengthens the action of the film."[11] Joe Robberson of Zimbo hails the piece as "further [pushing] the wicked mood of the film" as well as being "electric and makes the film crackle with energy". He too praised the score for its diversity and lack of Hans Zimmer-esque pulses.[12] Steve Persall of Tampa Bay Times described the piece as a "neo-Giorgio Moroder synth-rock musical score".[13]

Peter Debruge of Variety acknowledged the importance of cinematography and its "relying on a mix of heavy metal and electronic music from the likes of Marilyn Manson, Tyler Bates and Kaleida to generate propulsive forward energy."[14] Paloma Sharma of Rediff wrote of Bates' and Richard's score, "[Bates] and [Richards'] soundtrack makes sure that you understand two things throughout the film: [Wick] is armed, angry and dangerous and [Wick] is the coolest hitman you've seen in a while."[15]

Robert Abele of The Los Angeles Times described the score as a "growling rock soundtrack".[16]

Chris Sawin of Examiner.com highlights the music in the piece as a "bass-heavy soundtrack", as well as adding to it further by stating, "The dance-fueled soundtrack is an excellent companion to the film and is the ideal sidekick to the film's outstanding action."[17] Neil Miller of Film School Rejects described the score as, "[a] pulsing score from Tyler Bates."[18] Jeff Bulmer of The Phoenix News professed of the score, "Tyler Bates’ music complements every scene the way a soundtrack should, even becoming a character of its own at points."[19]

Sutton Bradbury-Koster of The Massachusetts Daily Collegian spoke most highly of the score stating, "The music does all the talking – blending soothing strings with ambient synths to generate a raw, emotional atmosphere that seems nearly misplaced given the movie it resides in. While this atmospheric and emotional presence does not remain throughout much else of the film, it is still worth mentioning." and further expands by expressing, "The rest of the film’s score features a pulsating, intense low-drive bass drumbeat that establishes a tense yet epic feeling."[20]

Editors of MSN heralded the soundtrack by stating, "it's the crunching original score by Marilyn Manson guitarist Tyler Bates and the co-directors' refusal to embrace the post-Bourne Identity shaky-cam action trend that makes John Wick feel like a film from an alternate cinematic universe."[21]

Track listing

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All music is composed by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard, except where noted

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Every Ending Has a Beginning"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard1:31
2."Story of Wick"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard3:05
3."John Mourns"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:29
4."Assassins"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:12
5."Dear John"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard1:49
6."Daisy"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard1:29
7."Evil Man Blues" (Performed by The Candy Shop Boys)Leonard Feather and Lionel Hampton4:20
8."The Red Circle"Le Castle Vania1:00
9."Lure the Wolf"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:04
10."Iosef the Terrible"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:34
11."Chop Shop"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:52
12."Baba Yaga"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard1:46
13."On The Hunt"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:11
14."In My Mind" (Performed by M86 & Susie Q)Ali Theodore, Susan Paroff, Sergio Cabral, Sarai Howard, Bryan Spitzer3:07
15."The Drowning"Le Castle Vania2:24
16."Think" (Performed by Kaleida)Kaleida3:59
17."LED Spirals"Le Castle Vania0:59
18."Shots Fired"Le Castle Vania3:11
19."Old Friend Marcus"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard1:33
20."Hotel Throw Down"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:55
21."Warehouse Smack Down"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:44
22."Who You Talkin' To Man?" (Performed by Ciscandra Nostalghia)Ciscandra Nostalghia and Tyler Bates4:41
23."Membership Revoked"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:04
24."Unfortunate Priest"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard1:49
25."Dock Shootout"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:42
26."No More Guns"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard2:05
27."Be Seeing You"Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard3:38
Total length:62:33

Additional tracks

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Unreleased tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Get Money" (Performed by T-Bo featuring Bengie B)Jason Paul Thibeau, Roy Whitney Anthony and Benjamin Smith 
2."Hunid One's" (Performed by T-Bo)Jason Paul Thibeau and Michael Gniewkowski 
3."Russian Lullaby"David Bawiec and Vadim Suslov 
4."Killing Strangers" (Performed by Marilyn Manson and Tyler Bates)Marilyn Manson and Tyler Bates 

Personnel credits

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Credits for John Wick adapted from CD reverse notes.[22][23][24]

All music composed by Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard.
  • Score Produced: Tyler Bates, Joel J. Richard and Dylan Eiland
  • Additional Music: Le Castle Vania
  • Composer & Producer: Cicely Goulder
  • Executive Producer: Robert Townson
  • Executive Producer: Darren Blumenthal
  • Executive Producer: Tara Moross
  • Composer: Leonard Feather
  • Composer: Lionel Hampton
  • Composer: Sarai Howard
  • Composer: Susan Paroff
  • Composer: Bryan Spitzer
  • Composer: Ali Theodore
  • Composer: Christina Wood
  • Composer: Sergio Cabral
  • Music Supervisor: John Houlihan
  • Mastering: Patricia Sullivan Fourstar
  • Score Mixed By: Wolfgang Matthes
  • Music Preparation: Joanne Higginbottom
  • Music Editor: Brian Richards
  • Temp Music Editor: Nevin Seus
  • Assistant Music Editor: Roger Kosteck
  • Music Business & Legal Executive: Charles M. Barsamian
  • Music Licensing: Paul McPherson
  • Drums Recorded: Robert Carranza
Featured musicians
  • Song Performer: T-Bo
  • Song Performer and Song: Marilyn Manson
  • Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Primary Artist, and Song: Tyler Bates
  • Balalaika, Bass, Guitar, Hand Percussion, and Keyboards: Joel J. Richard
  • Group: The Candy Shop Boys
  • Group: Ciscandra Nostalghia
  • Group: Kaleida
  • Group: M86
  • Song: Leonard Feather
  • Song: Lionel Hampton
  • Song: Sarai Howard
  • Song: Bryan Spitzer
  • Song: Ali Theodore
  • Keyboards: Wolfgang Matthes
  • Violin: Scott Tixier
  • Drums: Gil Sharone
  • Singer: Sophia Urista

References

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  1. ^ "Varèse Sarabande: JOHN WICK - Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard". JMH Digital. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  2. ^ "'John Wick': What the Critics Are Saying". The Hollywood Reporter. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  3. ^ "'John Wick' Soundtrack Announced". Film Music Reporter. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  4. ^ "Tyler Bates and Ciscandra Nostalghia". Zimbo.com. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d e "'John Wick' Score by Tyler Bates & Joel J. Richard to be Released". Supercalifragilistic. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "'John Wick' Score by Tyler Bates & Joel J. Richard to be Released". Soundtrack.net. 8 October 2014. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  7. ^ "'John Wick' to Feature Music by Tyler Bates & Joel Richard". Film Music Reporter. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014.
  8. ^ "Le Castle Vania Creates Music for New Movie, John Wick". Le Castle Vania. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  9. ^ "John Wick". Blue Print Review. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  10. ^ "Keanu Reeves shoots his way through the entertaining action fantasy John Wick". The A.V. Club. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  11. ^ "Keanu Reeves is back with a Vengeance in 'John Wick'". Entertainment Voice. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  12. ^ "The Best Real Action Movie of 2014 is Called 'John Wick'". Entertainment Voice. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  13. ^ "'John Wick' racks up a high body count (w/video)". The Tampa Bay Times. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  14. ^ "Film Review: 'John Wick'". Variety. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  15. ^ "John Wick is slick and violent". Rediff. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  16. ^ "'John Wick' brings A game to violent business of revenge". Los Angeles Times. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  17. ^ "One of the best action films of 2014". Examiner.com. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  18. ^ "Love Dogs and Wanton Gun Violence? 'John Wick' Is For You". Film School Rejects. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  19. ^ "John Wick is the year's best action movie". The Phoenix News. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  20. ^ "Recent action flicks pale in comparison to 'John Wick'". The Daily Collegian. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  21. ^ "John Wick". MSN. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  22. ^ "John Wick Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". Soundtrack Collector. October 24, 2014. Retrieved October 24, 2014.
  23. ^ "John Wick PRODUCTION NOTES" (PDF). Lionsgate. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  24. ^ "John Wick Credits". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
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