REVIEW: Soundtrack, Stigmata (Virgin)
- Chris Hill
A mix of score and songs, the soundtrack precedes the movie by two weeks - heightening anticipation for the edgy, religion- and revelation-themed thriller starring Patricia Arquette as Frankie Paige, an unwilling recipient of the five marks of Christ, and Gabriel Byrne as Andrew Kiernan, a Catholic priest sent first to investigate, then to protect, her character.
Without viewing the movie and being able to relate the score by Smashing Pumpkins' leader Billy Corgan and industry veteran Mike Garson to scenes, the music has to be appreciated as a stand-alone work. (However, there's the now-standard movie tie-in website ( http://www.stigmata.com ), plus the movie trailer and an accompanying press release for plot info.
As a score, it effectively communicates atmospheres and emotions. The only negative: rather than trust the strengths of each work, the brief instrumentals are lumped together. Tracks are a conglomeration of several pieces ("reflection/possession," "purge/10,000,000 voices/reflect (purity)/identify (peace)"). The pieces should have been spaced on their own with separate cues. They're fleshed sufficiently to merit individuality, rather than jumbled together. With that minor complaint aside, the eleven tracks exude an essence that credits the resumes of both Corgan and Garson.
Mood and style morph within the confines of each track. "reflect (gray)/of sine waves" moves from dub lassitude to mechanized schizophrenia. Trip hop plays against aboriginal buzz on the first half of "reflect (time)/tree whispers" before spare piano rises to finish the selection.
On "reflect (clouds)/truth," Ray Lynch-ian new age segues to pounding electronic kettle drums. "of square waves/random thought" moves from tribal rhythms and struck piano strings to an insistent beat that enlarges progressively, only to suddenly dissipate.
The "identify" and "reflect" motifs are revisited multiple times. Notably, "identify," with lyrics by Corgan and vocals by Natalie Imbruglia, serves as the movie's title song. According to Corgan, "The music for 'identify' came from one of the love scenes in the movie. Mike Garson and I decided to make that cue the title song, and the words were written with the story in mind, from Patricia Arquette's character, Frankie's, perspective." Imbruglia's thin voice catches air and soars above the moody romance of the music.
The chameleonic David Bowie contributes an original ("The Pretty Things are Going to Hell") specifically written for the movie. "Who to dis, who to trust/who to listen to, who to suss" sings Bowie, attracted to the project by the similarities between "Stigmata" and the 1973 Donovan Joyce book, The Jesus Scroll, both concerned with religious teachings which the powerful Catholic Church might not necessarily want uncovered.
Chumbawumba (of "Tubthumping" fame) contribute "Mary Mary (Stigmatic Mix)": driving rave beat, with alternating fiery and airy vocals. The cut closes with the "Hail Mary" in reverse. Not quite the associations of "The Omen" and "Carmina Burana," but a good eerie touch. Bjork's "All Is Full Of Love (Mark "Spike" Stent Mix)" displays her signature vocal gymnastics, over a glistening slow beat background. Both mixes are unique to this release.
The seven songs are rounded out previously released cuts from Remy Zero ("Gramarye"), Afro Celt Sound System with Sinead O'Connor ("Release"), and Massive Attack ("Inertia Creeps").
