According to the liner notes, 20 million people gather 'round the tube to watch The X-Files each week, so it's not a stretch to believe that the movie will be huge beyond belief. With that kind of hype, the producers were ... more »under a lot of pressure to put together an incredible soundtrack to back it up. At first glance, the disc looks aptly huge, featuring artists like Foo Fighters, The Cure, Bjork, and Sting. How does it stand up? Surprisingly, the smaller groups are the ones providing the best music within. Filter's reworking of Three Dog Night's "One" kicks the disc into high gear but the excitement plummets from there. The Foo Fighter's new track, "Walking After You," is a softly-sung mediocre pop song; Sting should be ashamed to be regurgitating yet another number ("Invisible Sun" with World Beat artist Aswad). It's also disappointing to see the inclusion of already-released cuts, like Bjork's "Hunter" and a forcibly altered version of Sarah Mclachlan's "Black." --Denise Sheppard« less
According to the liner notes, 20 million people gather 'round the tube to watch The X-Files each week, so it's not a stretch to believe that the movie will be huge beyond belief. With that kind of hype, the producers were under a lot of pressure to put together an incredible soundtrack to back it up. At first glance, the disc looks aptly huge, featuring artists like Foo Fighters, The Cure, Bjork, and Sting. How does it stand up? Surprisingly, the smaller groups are the ones providing the best music within. Filter's reworking of Three Dog Night's "One" kicks the disc into high gear but the excitement plummets from there. The Foo Fighter's new track, "Walking After You," is a softly-sung mediocre pop song; Sting should be ashamed to be regurgitating yet another number ("Invisible Sun" with World Beat artist Aswad). It's also disappointing to see the inclusion of already-released cuts, like Bjork's "Hunter" and a forcibly altered version of Sarah Mclachlan's "Black." --Denise Sheppard
Daniel T. (alternadan) from MILWAUKEE, WI Reviewed on 7/14/2006...
Half way through the movie is when The X Files switched from top-of-the-line TV to bottom-of-the-barrel...
0 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Nice collection of music, if not that representative.
Gary Gardner | Ellsworth, ME United States | 02/13/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
""X-Files" producer Chris Carter was personally involved in the production and compilation of this soundtrack album. Truth be known, very few of the songs compiled here are actually heard in the "The X-Files" 1998 film. However, it was Carter's decision to compile this talent, if only for the fact that a movie of this scale needed to have a soundtrack of popular music to represent it. Therefore, the album is non-essential to the nature of the film, but stands alone as a fine piece of work.Three of the tracks are remakes: Filter performs the Three Dog Night song, "One"; however, it is a minimalist screamer that does no justice to the musicality of the original; Sting teams up with Aswad to do a nice reggae dig at The Police's "Invisible Sun", featuring great opening synth; too bad the guitar solo's buried in the mix; and X remakes "Crystal Ship" in a style reminiscent of It's a Beautiful Day...if they were to recreate a Doors song.Fans of Sarah McLachlan probably won't care for the eerie, dark "Black". I know, my sister-in-law's a big fan of McLachlan's, and she shuns it. Those who like the nihilistic musical landscapes of Bjork will love "Hunter"; it is stark and mystifying all at the same time. The best tracks are "Walking After You" by the Foo Fighters (featured in the film's end credits); "Deuce" by the Cardigans, before they, too, unfortunately went minimalist with their last album; and Better Than Ezra's "One More Murder". The Dust Brothers' unusual, spacy arranging of "The X-Files Theme" features a solid synth backing, along with a heavy dose of stomping drum machines. After this song, fast forward your CD player to 10:13 as the time; there, you'll hear Carter talking about the X-Files mythology and how it relates to the film. Very insightful for the fans! Why 10:13? Why, that's the name of Carter's production company, of course!Even if you're not a fan of the show, fans of alternative music will enjoy much of what's here."
Great album, fits the themes of the X-Files, misinterpreted.
Hexy | Indianapolis | 09/01/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been an extreme, obsessed X-Files fan since 1997 (I was only 8 when the show debuted, and it frightened me. It took me a while to catch up.) I got the Fight the Future disc the summer the movie came out, and I loved it, as I still do. Some have said it is too random and doesn't fit the show/movie. They are quite wrong and need to pay closer attention to lyrics. For instance, "One" fits Mulder perfectly. The isolation, the grief over his sister, his life of lies. "Walking After You" is obviously the Mulder-Scully anthem, as is "More Than This". "Crystal Ship" just fits X-Files as a whole, especially the mythology. Really listen to the song. If you want to go further, I can almost see it as a Mulder/Scully song. "Hunter" is so obvious, which is why I am astounded when people say the song is pointless. It's such a Mulder anthem. "16 Horses" is the perfect paranoia theme song. I don't know why Chris Carter didn't play "Black" during Mulder's search for Scully in the spaceship. The lyrics/mood of the song fit that whole sequence, not to mention Mulder's quest. It's almost as if he's reading the lyrics.("And I follow the tracks that lead me down ,And I never follow what's right And they wonder sometimes when they see all the Sadness and pain the truth brings to light").Though it is an instrumental, "Teotihuacan" fits very easily into the dark underbelly of the X-Files. I just see the Syndicate in my mind everytime this song plays. It could have easily been in an episode when Mulder and Scully are doing their usual search for truth, espically a mythology episode.I've always thought of 'Flower Man" as a sort of commentary on Cig. Smoking Man. "One More Murder" is painfully obvious.I adore the theme song remix, I think it's fabulous. Just a fun kick in The X-Files' groin.I'll never forget when I first heard "the truth" at 10:13. It scared me because I didn't know it was coming up. It's a fun little treat for the hard-core X-Philes, like myself.Give the disc another spin, and you'll see (hear) Chris Carter's Mission."
Now I can watch the show AND listen to it.
glitterbabydoll@hotmail.com | England | 05/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a huge fan of The X-Files and have been since it started, so obviously I'm going to want to give the soundtracks a try. I loved 'Songs in The Key of X' so I decided it would be worth my while to give this CD a try. One listen to it - and I was in love with it. It's great. The first song on there: The X-Files theme is a great way to kick start things, an atmospheric remix of the theme tune that's great to dance to. Then came Flower Man by Tonic - a group I'd never heard of it. I love this song, I was singing along straight away even though I'd never heard it before. Only problem - this track didn't really reflect the mood of X-Files, but good nevertheless. Next track is One by Filter. This is great, I very good track by the band that gets things rolling nicely. Then comes Walking After You by Foo Fighters. This is my favourite track on the album. From the very first line it's great. It captures Mulder and Scully's relationship perfectly, it's the perfect song for one of those times when they hug. Next track is Beacon Light by Ween. This is great, it really reflects the mood and feel of X-Files. I've never heard this band before but I'm tempted to check out more stuff. Next track is Invisible Sun by Sting/Aswad. At first I didn't like this, but now I love it. It's different but great. I can't really see it fitting in with The X-Files but it meld perfectly with the other songs on the album. Next track is Deuce by The Cardigans who are one of my favourite bands. This song is typical Cardigans, and it's laid back atmospheric style suits X-Files perfectly. Great track. Next track is One More Murder by Better Than Ezra another band I've never heard of. This is great is you listen to the lyrics you can imagine them being sung by Mulder. It totally weighs up all of the people that have been murdered in X-Files to cover up the government conspiracies. Next song is More Than This by The Cure. I love this it's laid back and melodic, it's great. Next song is Hunter by Bjork. This isn't one of the best tracks but it is good. It fits in with the other songs although I can't really imagine Mulder and Scully singing along to this. The next track is Crystal Ship by X. I love this it's quite upbeat and a bit more lively that the previous two tracks which is good. It sort of beings the album back to life after it's being plodding along quietly for a few tracks (which isn't a bad thing). The next track is Black by Sarah MacLachlan. I love this it took me a few listens to appreciated it fully. She has an amazing voice and this track reflects that. It suits X-Files especially the movie. This is quite different from her usual music so it's a nice change. Last track is another remix of The X-Files theme, which is a good way to beings things to an end. The talking bit by Chris Carter is great. It sort of summarizes where Mulder and Scully's quest towards the truth is up to, so it's good if you're slightly lost with the myth arc. It's just nice as well to see that Chris Carter has contributed to the album. I've given this five stars because I'm in love with this album. It's so nice to be able to watch the TV show and listen to it. The only critisms would be:1. Not all of the tracks reflect the mood of X-Files, but the fact they are great tracks make up for it.2. I think that one of the remixes of the theme tune should be the original. I don't think that two was really necessary (only the english version has two remixes of the soundtrack).X-Files fans should definitely buy this - but only if you actually like some of the artists on the CD. Take a look and if there are three or more artists that you like then get it. If you're into alternative/rock music and are a fan of the show then buy it. Enjoy it because it is one cool album!"
X-files
Silence Dogood | Walla Walla, WA | 05/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"OK first off I have to say... I was a big fan of the show back when it first started, and watched it almost religiously until the wrote David Duchnovy out of the script. The movie on the other hand... well, it was ok, not great but still pretty good. HOWEVER, the soundtrack was excellent. I'm one of those people that don't really care much for the boy bands and teeny-bopper music that you hear all the time on the radio. I like the more obscure songs that really speak to me, and this album is chock full of them. This is one of those "desert island" cd's that I just love. If nothing else, buy it used on here for a penny. It's a better way to spend your money than on one of those icky butterscotch or peppermint candies the next time you're standing in line at the supermarket."