Editor’s Note: The Albumism staff has selected what we believe to be the 100 Greatest Soundtracks of All Time, representing a varied cross-section of films and musical genres. Click “Next Soundtrack” below to explore each soundtrack in the list or for easier navigation, view the full introduction & soundtrack index here.
Trainspotting
Capitol (1996)
Selected by Justin Chadwick
Set to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its release next year, Trainspotting’s accompanying soundtrack plays a central role in propelling the heroin-fueled debauchery of the film’s protagonist Renton (Ewan McGregor) and his socially marginalized chums Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller), Spud (Ewen Bremner), and the notorious Begbie (Robert Carlyle).
An intoxicating assemblage of adrenalized romps and more subdued, melancholic anthems that seemingly evoke the dichotomy of cooking up and coming down, the collection offers choice selections spanning ‘70s era rock (Brian Eno , Iggy Pop, Lou Reed), Britpop (Blur, Elastica, Primal Scream, Pulp, Sleeper), and dance/electronica (Leftfield, New Order, Primal Scream, Underworld).
A second volume comprised of 15 tracks, most of these courtesy of the same artists featured on the inaugural volume, was released three months after the inaugural edition.
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