Soundtracks and Instrumentals by Mike Billy

My goal when creating new mixes for this blog will be to introduce people to new kinds of music. The idea for this particular mix came to me shortly after hearing the idea for this blog. Any song on this mix has to meet one of two criteria. Either it must be an instrumental track or it must be a song from a movie soundtrack. Some songs fit both criteria, but each fits at least one. My original mix contained 17(!) songs, so it was a little difficult to pare it down to 12, but somehow I managed. Anyway, here is what I came up with.

Lux Aeterna by Clint Mansell

This was the first song that came to my mind for this mix. Clint Mansell is one of my favorite composers and Lux Aeterna is my favorite song from any movie soundtrack ever. It first appeared on the soundtrack for Requiem For A Dream, but if you have not seen that drug addled movie and still recognize the creepy violin score there is good reason: The song has made its rounds. It has been featured in the trailers for Man on Fire, I am Legend, The Da Vinci Code, and Smokin' Aces among others. A version was also recreated for the trailer for Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Picturesque Pit by Venetian Snares

This track comes from the album My Downfall (Original Soundtrack). Despite the name, this is not a movie soundtrack. Venetian Snares' frontman Aaron Funk chose the name because the songs represented the soundtrack to his own personal downfall. This is another song heavily influenced by classical music.

Crimin' & Dealin' by Clint Mansell

Here we have another track from the Requiem For A Dream Soundtrack. It is a more hip-hop influenced track, but it includes a special touch that only Mansell can bring. I think this track is important because it shows Clint Mansell's range. In the movie, the song (hence the name) is played during the gangs successful drug dealing phase.

Welcome to Bangkok by Brand New

Brand New has a few instrumental songs, all of which I would have loved to include on this mix. Besides The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me's Welcome to Bangkok, Daisy's Be Gone nearly made the cut (it was still on the mix when I had it dow to 13 songs!). Welcome to Bangkok, however, is a more emotionally charged track and it bears mentioning that is outstanding live.

Mad World by Gary Jules

Finally! A song with lyrics! This one is brought to you by the Donnie Darko Soundtrack. Again, this song has become so popular that it has been included in more than a few trailers for video games and movies. If I didn't know better, I would probably assume that this was an original song, but, in fact, it's a cover of a fairly popular Tears For Fears track by the same name.

Trilogy (The Final Chapter) by ATB

André Tanneberger is better known by his DJ name ATB. His music styling is usually more trance oriented, but the second disc of 2007's Trilogy features more ambient sounds. The title track, which made it on to this compilation, is no different. It is a beautiful piano and keyboard sound that begs to be listened to!

We're Going Home by Clint Mansell

Finishing off the Clint Mansell triplet (and coincidently the last of three piano-driven songs) is this ditty. It is part of the score for Moon, the best science fiction picture of 2009 (yes, it's better than District 9). Listen to the song, then watch the movie. Coincidently, critics disagree. Moon has a mere 90% on RottenTomatoes.com compared to District 9's 91%. But look, critics don't always get it right.

Spectrum of the Sky by Break of Reality

Break of Reality has an interesting sound. The instrumental band features four musicians: three cellists and a percussionist. Spectrum of the Sky, from the album of the same name, is a great sampling of what they can do.

White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane

Track number nine and it's only the second with lyrics! This is sort of the 'turn' for this mixtape, if you will. Most of the remaining tracks actually have lyrics. Jefferson Airplane's classic White Rabbit has made it into a few movies, but I am listing it here for its appearance on the soundtrack to Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Watching Johnny Depp trip out on various drugs while this song is playing is just plain unforgettable.

Lust For Life by Iggy Pop

What is one thing this mixtape has taught us? Answer: Drug movies always have fantastic soundtracks! And Trainspotting, based on the Irvine Welsch novel of the same name, is no exception. Iggy Pop's Lust For Life opens the movie as we watch two of the main characters as they are chased by security guards.

U-Mass by The Pixies

Accepted wasn't that great of a movie. It was cliche and was unable to suspend my disbelief. Still, it had a fantastic soundtrack featuring artists like Weezer, Le Tigre, and Modest Mouse. The best song on the soundtrack, however, is the Pixies' U-Mass.

Loud Pipes by Ratatat

Its Ratatat. There's not much else to say. Except maybe they deserve to be on every mixtape featuring instrumental songs.

Bonus Track: White Knuckles (Piano Remix) by Yours Truly

Track 13 is an exclusive (not really) bonus for readers of this very blog! It is a remix of OKGO's White Knuckles for the website indabamusic.com. Check it out here. You can also vote for it (shameless plug) to give me a chance to win the competition. The prize? The song will be featured on the next iteration of Rock Band!