Thanks To: Craig Aaronson, Tina Anderson, Dan Arrendondo, Spring Aspers, Robin Bechtel, Danny Benair, Jonathan Black, Josh Borock, Glen Brunman, Kim Buie, Daniella Capretta, Coran Capshaw, Jolene Cherry, Jennifer Choulnard, David Codikow, Phil Costello, Steve Crawford, Maureen Crowe, Brian Dickman, Jessica Dolinger, Dream Street Management, Danny Elfman Laura Engel, Devin Franchino, Mark Gill, Frank Girondo, Michael Goldstone, Marcy Granata, John Hadity, Alex Hartnett, Ken Hertz, Janet Hill, Peter Himberger, Kevin Hyman, Robin Jonas, Craig Kalman, Andrew King, Leslie Lewis, Chris Lombardi, Pat Lucas, Patrick Lussier, Lou Mann, Matador Records, Tim McDaniels, Joe McFadden, Jon McHugh, Kirk Mallow, Jill Meyers, Kathy Mussio, Alan Narmore, Guy Oseary, Mo Ostin, Jacqui Perryman, Julie Plec, John Polwrek, Lorin Prince, John Ray, Steve Rosenblatt, Peter Schwerin, Sheila Scott, Maggi Sikkens, John Silva, Leah Simon, Arthur Spivak, Clark Staub, Erica Steinberg, Rick Stewart, Bruce Tenenbaum, John Titta, M. Dominique Trenier, Brian Turner, Lenny Waronker, Perry Watts-Russell, Gina Wenger & D’arcy Young”
“”Horror movies always get sequels.” As a line from the first film, “Scream,” suggests, “Scream 2,” a sequel to “Scream,” is set to be released soon. Director Wes Craven, who has produced the “Nightmare on Elm Street” series and the “New Twilight Zone” television series, is now seriously committed to this project as his next move. And that project is surely this “Scream” series.
For those who haven’t seen “Scream,” let me start with the synopsis. This movie revolves around the protagonist, Neve Campbell (who is beautiful), as her schoolmates, including Drew Barrymore in the opening scene, are brutally murdered one after another. Set in the rural California town of Woodsboro, the film features MTV-esque visual effects and has a considerable power to draw the viewer in. I’m a horror fan.
I’m not very knowledgeable about movies, but it seems that the film is sprinkled with fragments of classic horror films from the past.
However, the real appeal of this film lies in its unexpected portrayal of the culprit.
I won’t spoil the ending for those who haven’t seen “Scream” yet, but when you find out who the culprit is, there’s a twist that’s sure to make you exclaim, “Wow, I never thought of that!” It’s probably not a movie I’d recommend to people with weak hearts, but I personally enjoyed it quite a bit.
Regarding “Scream 2,” I haven’t been able to see it yet as it hasn’t been released in the US, but apparently the new killer targeting Neve Campbell is someone who already harbored murderous intentions towards her in the first film. I’m sure it will be another difficult mystery to solve.
So, the album you have in your hands right now is the original soundtrack for “Scream 2.” The soundtrack for the first “Scream” also featured some unique tracks, such as a cover of Alice Cooper’s “Schools Out” by The Last Hard Men (Sebastian Bach of Skid Row, Kelly Deal of The Breeders, and Jimmy Chamberlin of The Smashing Pumpkins) and a collaborative project between “Twin Peaks” singer Julie Crews and members of Deee-Lite. But this time, it’s even more powerful. While the first album was released on a minor label, this one is being released on major label Capitol, and I’ve heard that Capitol in the US is serious about promoting this soundtrack.
Capitol Records is known as a label strong in alternative rock, featuring artists like the Foo Fighters, and the artists included on this soundtrack are all likely to appeal to young Americans today. Of course, there are many artists familiar to Japanese fans as well, and even before considering it a soundtrack, there are some rare tracks that can only be heard here. Incidentally, with the exception of two songs that will be mentioned later, all the tracks are new songs or unreleased versions created specifically for this soundtrack. Now, let’s take a look at each of the songs and artists included.
01. Scream / Master P featuring Silk the Shocker
The title track for this album was awarded to West Coast rapper MasterP.
He rose to fame after his latest album, “Ghetto D,” released in the fall of 1997, reached number one on the US charts. In addition to participating in the soundtrack for “Scream 2,” he also starred in and served as assistant director for the comedy film “I Got the Hook Up!”, and apparently also worked on its soundtrack. This track, which begins with a woman’s scream, also creates an unsettling atmosphere right from the start of the film.
02. Suburban Life / Kottonmouth Kings
Cottonmouth Kings are a new band launched in 1998 by Capitol Records, the label releasing this album. Hailing from Orange County in Southern California, they deliver a mixture of rock reminiscent of Mano Negra, a French band active in the early 90s. In the R&B world, there’s been an increase in cases where artists, such as D’Angelo on “Jason’s Lyric” and Erykah Badu on “High School High,” make their official debut after participating in a film soundtrack; this approach may soon be adopted by rock bands as well.
03. Rivers / Sugar Ray
Sugar Ray debuted from Orange County, Southern California, even before Cottonmouth Kings. They were a five-piece band formed in 1992, with DJ Lethal of House of Pain as executive producer.
They debuted in 1995 with the album “Lemonade and Brownies,” on which they were Sired. Their second album, “Sugar Ray’s American Dream ’97 ~ No One Can Beat Us” (original title: “Floored”), produced by David Kahn, known for his work with Fishbone, became a hit, reaching number 12 on the US album charts. They are truly a band born in the era when alternative rock became mainstream.
04. She’s Always in My Hair / D’Angelo
This track is arguably the highlight of this soundtrack.
The song D’Angelo is covering here is a track that was on the B-side of Prince & The Revolution’s 1985 hit “Raspberry Beret”.
D’Angelo, who had long expressed his admiration for Prince, has finally done so for Prince.
I can’t contain my excitement about him covering this song. His arrangement, which features more guitar than usual, blends R&B and hip hop.
It’s a world where rock and roll are seamlessly blended together. With guest appearances from key figures in the current Black music scene, such as Raphael Saadiq of Tony Tony Tony and Amir Karib Thompson, also known as Estrav of The Roots, it’s a truly thrilling production.
Incidentally, D’Angelo is a “black singer-songwriter” who could arguably be called the greatest talent in the American R&B scene of the 90s. His 1995 debut album, “Brown Sugar,” is a masterpiece that captures the noble style of 70s new soul artists like Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway from the perspective of the hip-hop generation, and it also played a role in igniting the recent boom in so-called new classic soul. In addition, he has been in high demand for movie soundtracks such as “Space Jam,” “Get on the Bus,” and “High School High.” I am very much looking forward to the arrival of his second album, which is scheduled to be released in the spring of 1998.
05. Help Myself / Dave Matthews Band
The Dave Matthews Band, formed in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a five-piece band that boasts considerable sales among recent American rock acts. Their major-label debut album, “Under the Table and Dreaming,” released in 1994, sold 3 million copies, and their second album, “Duel,” sold 4 million copies across the US. Their recently released double live album, “Live At Red Rocks 8.15.95,” debuted at number 3 on the Billboard charts. Like Phish, their steady touring has translated into sales, which seems to be a characteristic unique to the vastness of America. Here too, they deliver songs with a slightly unusual rhythm, accented with their trademark violin. The album is produced by Steve Lillywhite, with whom they have a long-standing relationship.
06. She Said / Collective Soul
Like the Dave Matthews Band mentioned earlier, Collective Soul is a five-piece band that delivers a sound that could be described as “basic American rock of the alternative era.” Formed in Stockbridge, Georgia, they debuted in 1993 with the album “Shine.” They followed that up with “Collective Soul” in 1995 and “Breakdown” in 1997, both of which sold around 2 million and 3 million copies respectively in the US. Ed Rowland’s thoughtful vocals are particularly impressive on this track.
07. Right Place Wrong Time / The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Alongside D’Angelo’s Prince cover, this track is arguably the highlight of this album. Blues Explosion, who forcefully tame blues, punk rock, and hip hop, take on none other than a signature song by New Orleans R&B legend Dr. John. The original is a track from Dr. John’s 1973 masterpiece “In the Light Place,” and Jon Spencer and his band’s sense for this kind of roots music is truly remarkable.
It is sharpened to perfection.
Moreover, this track is produced by Dan Nakamura, also known as The Automator of Dr. Octagon. Dr. Octagon is a duo consisting of Kool Keith of the legendary East Coast hip-hop group Ultramagnetic MC’s and The Automator, and they have released albums in the US through DreamWorks and in the UK through Mo’Wax. This unit offers a sound that bridges American hip-hop and British abstract hip-hop, and John Spencer and his crew’s keen sense for collaborating with such creators is evident. The track, which features turntable scratch noise towards the end, is a sharp and edgy piece of work. Incidentally, Blues Explosion, who have released a string of powerful albums including “Orange” and “Now I Got Worry,” recently released a live album, “Controversial Negro,” exclusively in Japan.
08. Dear Lover / Foo Fighters
As you may know, the Foo Fighters are centered around former Nirvana member Dave Grohl. Their 1995 debut album, “Foo Fighters,” was almost entirely created by Dave alone, but their 1997 second album, “The Colour and the Shape,” was recorded as a band with other members. This song, “Dear Lover,” was released as a bonus track only on the Japanese edition of “The Colour and the Shape.”
09. Eyes of Sand / Tonic
Tonic, a four-piece band formed in Los Angeles, debuted in 1996 with the album “Lemon Parade.” They may still be a relatively unknown band in Japan, but
Their debut album has already become a hit, selling over a million copies across the US. “Lemon Parade” was produced by Jack Joseph Puig, a hidden gem on the West Coast, also known for producing for Jellyfish and Susanna Hoffs. Here, they showcase their signature earthy sound through self-production.
10. The Swing / Everclear
Everclear is a three-piece band formed in Portland, Oregon. They made their major label debut in 1995 with the album “Sparkle and Fade,” and released their second album, “So Much for the Afterglow,” in 1997. They also contributed the song “Local God” to the soundtrack of the hugely successful American film “Romeo and Juliet.” Their straightforward punk sound is clearly audible here as well.
11. I Think I Love You / Less Than Jake
Following the rise of melodic hardcore, ska-core (essentially a blend of ska and punk) seems to be gaining some popularity among young rock fans, and Less Than Jake is one such ska-core group. Hailing from Gainesville, Florida, this six-piece band, featuring trombonist and saxophonist, made their major label debut in 1996 with the album “Losing Streak.” On this album, they cover The Partridge Family’s 1970 US number one hit with a rather quirky arrangement.
12. Your Lucky Day in Hell / Eels
David Geffen, former chairman of Geffen Records; film director Steven Spielberg; and former Disney president Jeffrey Katzenberg. DreamWorks Records was a new record company that garnered attention as a label under DreamWorks SKG, founded by these three men, and the Eels debuted under DreamWorks. Eels was formed by E, who had originally released two solo albums, along with two Los Angeles musician friends. Their 1996 debut album, “Beautiful Freak,” featured Mike Simpson of the Dust Brothers, known for his relationship with Beck, as producer, and offered music that was a cut above the standardized alternative rock. This song, “Your Lucky Day in Hell,” is from their first album.
A track that was included on the album.
13. Red Right Hand / Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Those who own the soundtrack to “Scream” might be surprised to see this song title. That’s because this song by Nick Cave was also included on the “Scream” soundtrack. It was originally on Nick’s 1994 album “Let It Go”.
This bluesy track was originally included on “V-In,” but it appears on “Scream 2” in a newly remixed version by DJ Spooky. DJ Spooky, who is based in New York, is an artist who rose to prominence after participating in Arto Lindsay’s 1996 album “Mundo Svilizard.” In 1997, he released his solo album “Songs Of A Dead Dreamer,” which also featured Arto Lindsay, on the same Japanese label, Gut. He is a creator whose future activities are worth watching.
14. One More Chance / Kelly
Kelly, who provided this song which is somewhat reminiscent of R. Kelly, is an R&B singer signed to Priority Records. I’ve never heard of him before, but he’s probably an artist who is scheduled to debut soon, similar to Cottonmouth Kings, who appeared on the second track.
15. The Race / Ear2000
The film concludes with a group led by David Arquette, the actor who played the somewhat humorous police officer Dewey Riley in “Scream.” Born in Chicago, he has previously appeared in films such as “Men in the Afternoon” (1995) starring Mickey Rourke and “Wild Bill” (1995) starring Diane Lane.
The first single from this soundtrack is “She’s Always in My Hair” by D’Angelo. Following that, tracks by Cottonmouth Kings, Collective Soul, and Master P are scheduled to be released as singles. While I’m certainly looking forward to the film’s arrival, I’m also excited to see how these singles will be received across the United States.
December 4, 1997 Kazuma Miyako”
