Various Artists
Catching Fire Soundtrack
4/5
Listen To: All
Skip It: None
Okay, before you proceed; make sure you’ve seen Catching Fire, the movie and while you’re at it, make sure you’ve read the books too! Not that I want to give too much away but to fully appreciate this amazing collection of songs that celebrate all things Catching Fire you should make sure you understand what’s going on first!
That said, this album is, much like Katniss Everdeen, on fire! It was such a perfect collection of smooth sounds with an array of artists varying from popular to indie. I love that artists who are well known like Coldplay and Christina Aguilera can come together with new comers like Lorde to create such a feast for the ears!
The album truly captured the dark side of the film. The songs have powerful imagery and dark instrumentals that make you feel as if you were in the arena and District 12 with Katniss.
The external battles from the film are echoed perfectly in the album. Heavy with weapon and bow imagery, “Atlas” speaks of the sights of sounds within the arena. Some heard the gun. Some bent the bow.
Artists also focused on the internal battle of our favourite girl from District 12, Katniss. “Silhouettes” explores the post traumatic disorder Katniss suffers from after her victory in the first film. I’m finally at peace, but it feels so wrong. The song expresses Katniss’ internal struggle and how even after its all over she’s still haunted. No matter where I sleep, you are haunting me. Who or what is haunting her? Rue and the other dead tributes or perhaps her confusing feelings for Peeta? The song is as complex as the film and I loved it. Ellie Goulding’s “Mirrors” is eerie and chilling like the film. It voices Katniss’ internal struggles about the uprising, her feelings for Peeta and her guilt from the hunger games, proving Katniss was more than just the girl on fire. Are we star crossed lovers? Did I really want you gone? If I’m really the winner, where do these demons come from?
We’ve also clearly got some Katniss fans on this album. Like the film, this album has a tiny bit of hope peeking through the dark imagery and of course hope comes in the form of Katniss! “Atlas” celebrates Katniss as an emerging leader. Carry your world; I’ll carry your world. “Elastic Heart” triumphantly states You did not break me. I’m still fighting for peace. Clearly we’re all team Katniss!
But enough about Katniss, (as much as I’d love to talk about her awesomeness all day), we also get to hear some of Gale’s thoughts in “Gale Song”. I wasn’t there to take his place. I was ten thousand miles away. Like the film, the soundtrack is more than just fan girl songs about Katniss Everdeen, it’s a powerful collection of awesome songs worthy of the Catching Fire uprising!
The beauty of the album is that it combines all the things we love about the hunger games and melts it down into some seriously beautiful songs. They make you think and they make you fall in love with Catching Fire all over again! So go listen to this album! You’re not a committed fan if you haven’t yet!
Track Listing
01. Atlas – Coldplay
02. Silhouettes – Of Monsters and Men
03. Elastic Heart – Sia (Feat. The Weekend and Diplo)
04. Lean – The National
05. We Remain – Christina Aguilera
06. Devil May Cry – The Weekend
07. Who We Are – Imagine Dragons
08. Everybody Wants To Rule The World – Lorde
09. Gale Song – The Lumineers
10. Mirror – Ellie Goulding
11. Capital Letter – Patti Smith
12. Shooting Arrows At The Sky – Santigold
13. Place For Us – Mikky Ekko
14. Lights – Pantogram
15. Angel On Fire
Source:
http://tangiblesounds.com/cd-review-catching-fire-soundtrack/