WHO IS HE? You mean Quentin Tarantino? Oh, he’s nobody special — just the most influential filmmaker of the last 25 years or so, thanks to groundbreaking and indelible movies like Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Django Unchained and more.
WHAT IS THIS? The official soundtrack to his latest film, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt as an actor and his stunt double in the days leading up to the Manson Family murders in the helter-skelter summer of 1969.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? Much like Tarantino’s other superb soundtracks — especially Reservoir Dogs — this 31-track behemoth offers an ultra-cool mixtape of classic tracks, moldy oldies, obscure gems and fictional radio broadcasts.
WHAT WOULD BE A BETTER TITLE FOR THIS ALBUM? 93 KHJ’s Super Sounds of the ’60s.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? While cruising the strip in your convertible, hanging out with starlets by the pool or dancing The Freddie under swirling psychedelic lights.
WHAT 10 WORDS DESCRIBE IT? Nostalgic, hip, energetic, groovy, eclectic, winning, stylish, crafted, theatrical, tasteful.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SONGS? It depends on your preferences — you’ve got Detroit rock from Bob Seger and Mitch Ryder, along with Deep Purple covers, Paul Revere singles, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Simon & Garfunkel folk oldies and much more. For me, the real treats are oddities like The Village Callers’ funky Hector, Chad & Jeremy’s twee rocker Paxton Quigley’s Had the Course, Los Bravos’ organ-rocker Bring a Little Lovin’ and rarities from Robert Corff, Buchanan Brothers, Dee Clark and others.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY? ‘This is a pretty cool radio station.’
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO THIS? Like most Tarantino soundtracks, it’s a fully realized work that stands on its own and brings you back for more — whether you’ve seen the movie or not.
IF THIS ALBUM WERE CLOTHES, WHAT KIND OF CLOTHES WOULD IT BE? Bell-bottoms and a turtleneck — and/or a leather vest.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL? It will cost you less than a movie ticket and snacks — and you’ll get to keep it.
