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At the end of the third season of "Stranger Things", two minor characters attend a fair on July 4th. One of them, an American, tells the other that all games are faked, a way for the rich to cover their pockets. His companion decides to try his luck anyway. Under the eyes of the crowd, he won the grand prize of the dart throwing competition. You see, the game was not rigged after all! Then he was shot in the belly.
It is a confusing parable that evokes the usual approach of the Duffer brothers' sledgehammer in terms of symbolism. Like their viewers, the creators of the series are celebrating an America they know is not real and has never been. From time to time, it's up to them to pretend to be jaded. This season's soundtrack, too, is firmly rooted in veneration and cynicism, allowing the show to celebrate the era of Spielberg, Hughes and Heckerling blockbusters while winking at their viewers: We know that you have seen this before.
The opening song is here a remix of Who's "Baba O'Reilly" from Confidential Music, a Los Angeles-based duo that produces music for movie trailers. (The mix appeared in the preview of this season). It's a tough job, Pete Townshend's teen-encrusted cup with the series' signature synthesizers and a classic trailer silhouette with a climax big enough to plunge you into a real nighttime frenzy. Americana, but a little worried. Find?
Other musical choices echo the half-steppin 'whose show is crazy. The obvious idea of "Material Girl" is particularly appealing and is the backdrop for a shopping mall set-up early in the season when Millie Bobbie Brown and Sadie Sink connect with each other for shopping. and teens in the distribution join their fear of women's sexuality. It's a perfect fit: Madonna's song is another undeniable element of pop art that involves criticism without really succeeding.
Another scene from the same episode shows "My Bologna" from "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1979, replacing the development of the character. The boys science teacher played a purely instrumental role; he is Velma, but he can never follow the Mystery Machine. Because he's a nutty without depth, he's doing random science while listening to "Weird Al" in the background (instead of the Knack's original). In a scene starring Joe Keery (Steve) or Dacre Montgomery (Billy), the Knack would fit perfectly with other classic rock chestnuts such as Foreigner's "Cold As Ice", "John Mellencamp's ROCK" in the United States And REO Speedwagon "I can not fight that feeling."
It is true that the best episodes of this season – four, five and six – rely less on the radio successes of the 1980s and more on the hard work of Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein of SURVIVE, who transmitted the atmosphere of the series since. the beginning. The two pop songs of these episodes are among the best of the album: the classic "Neutron Dance" of the Pointer Sisters, which of course was shown before on the screen, and the camp "Vera Meet Again" by Vera Lynn This artificial character adapts perfectly to one of the patented cliffhangers of the show.
There are great musical moments this season that have not found their way into this soundtrack. Yello, the Swiss duo who found his way in Ferris Bueller's party, have an appearance in the final in the form of their great "Goldrush II". It does not make the cut. The excellent synthesis work typical of Dixon and Stein, which previously appeared on the official "film music" of the series, is no different either (this time, it appears on a separate score.) Danny Elfman's and Philip Glass's compositions that lend the theater to the series are also absent. These missing tracks make this soundtrack less substantial than the series which, despite its familiar plot points, is characterized by intelligent rhythm, beautiful action scenes, strong performances from most of the main actors and, of course, its instrumental score.
It's a shame that a shallow collection of songs like this exposes the "Stranger Things", which are also moving and pleasing, to the most obvious critics. This soundtrack clearly shows what we all do when we do this summer break. I can not even pretend to think too hard when I look at this slightly remixed story of good and evil where evil is not so threatening. Of course, things go wrong, a monster is hiding and an army of people has been possessed by an inexplicable and perverse energy. But the good ones will win. They always do. Right? Right?
Buy: Gross Trade
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