FDF Volume 3 Issue 223 - Grosse Pointe Blank - Music from the Film

By: March

Album - Music from the Film Grosse Pointe Blank
Artist - Various
Key Players - Various
Produced By - Kathy Nelson and Bill Green

Release Date - March 18, 1997

What caused me to blow off the dust? - My wife blew the dust off this one. She had a road trip she did a few weeks ago and she pulled this one out.

Overview - Soundtrack for the John Cusak/Minnie Driver film. The trailer for the film is right here if you need a refresher. The soundtrack would have mostly indie and alternative bands from the time was popular enough that a second volume would be released. Volume 1 (here) peaked at 31 on the US Charts.

FDF Comments (aka the songs)
Violent Femmes - "Blister in the Sun" - A song that you can still hear fairly often on the radio. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, based band had actually disbanded in the late 1980's and did reform. This track, perhaps their most well known, is from their 1983 debut. It blends blistering acoustic guitars with brushed drums. An infectious groove that still sticks with fans.

The Clash - "Rudie Can't Fail" - Joe Strummer actually did the musical score for the film and perhaps as perk was able to include two of their songs on this soundtrack. This tune appeared on the bands "London Calling" record. Blending punk rock and ska they are forever credited as one of the most ground breaking and influential bands of all time. The band disbanded in 1986 and Joe Strummer passed away in 2002.

The English Beat - "Mirror in the Bathroom" - Keeping with the "ska" feel the lead off single from "the Beat" (English was added for America). The wonderful horn section is what really stands out. We swooned about this record on FDF here. The band has re-formed a few times with various members.

David Bowie & Queen - "Under Pressure" - The ever famous "Ice Ice Baby" Sample. This originally appeared on the Queen album "Hot Space" that was released in 1982. The song went to #1 and Queen would be kept out of this spot for 10 years. The bass line laid down by John Deacon could arguably called the most recognizable bass lines ever.

Johnny Nash - "I Can See Clearly Now" - Released in 1972 the single would reach #1. Nash, born in Texas, went to Jamaica to record his reggae music. A wonderfully optimistic track that gets played for various occasions. It has more of a soul sound to me personally. Nash is still alive, and although out of the spot light he scored a series of chart topping singles.

Guns N' Roses - "Live and Let Die" - One of, if not the biggest band of the late 1980's an early 90's was LA based Guns N' Roses. The song was recorded in 1991 and is a cover of the Paul McCartney song (Wings). The song was released as the second single from the Guns and Roses "Use your Illusion 1" album (and 4th single that was released from the 2 records. Shannon Hoon, late of Blind Melon fame, sang back up vocals. Izzie Stradlin, a guitar player for GnR also left shortly after this song was released. Is anyone sure what is up with GnR these days? A record decades in the making came out, but fans seemed to have turned away from the physical release.

Faith No More - "We Care A Lot" - Before the band was more well known for "Epic" this track was found on their 1985 debut. The big punchy bass stands out and the band infused metal and funk. The band as noted would become more well known (at least in the US) with their follow up and wild videos. The band broke up in 1998 but has reformed and played a few select live shows. Fans of the Discovery Channels "Dirty Jobs" may recognize this as the shows theme song.

The Specials - "Pressure Drop" - This track was released originally in 1970 by the Maytals. This version from the specials has appeared in two films, this one here, and "An Extremely Goofy Movie". The song has been covered by everyone from Izzy Stradlin to Robert Palmer, to Keith Richards. A nice mix of pop and ska to change the tempo of the collection.

The Jam - "Absolute Beginners - Released in 1981 this song is not actually found on any Jam studio album. This track was recorded close to the 1982 demise of the band. The drawl from singer Paul Weller and choppy horns make for a very strong single. US fans never really paid a ton of attention to the Jam which is a shame.

The Clash - "Armagideon Time" - The second Clash tune on the soundtrack. Sounds good along side some of the ska based tracks. A slower tune from the band, not the furious stuff the band is perhaps more well known for.

Los Fabulosos Cadillacs - "El Matador" - This track, from 1993 comes from the Argentinian based band. They have released a stream of records since 1986 and this particular song the band actually released twice to radio. It is reported that tennis star Rafael Nadal used this track as his intro music in 2010. The band appears to be on hiatus once more.

Pete Townshend - "Let My Love Open the Door" (E.Cola Remix) - Composer, guitarist, and sometimes vocalist for "The Who" Pete Townshend released this track on his 1980 solo album "Empty Glass." The song cracked the US top 10 and for some reason it is heavily used in films. It has appeared in such a wide range of films from "Look Who's Talking", "Click" and "Dan in Real Life" (and many more). The version on this soundtrack is remixed with the intro guitar, as well as the guitar that is played when Pete sings the vocals is gone. The studio version I find stronger, but this is a different take.

Violent Femmes - "Blister 2000" - A "horn" based version of Blister in the Sun. It is slowed down some and has more strings and percussive instruments. You'll scratch your head at this one. It would have been better to have put another artist/track here.


FDF Overall Take - For a movie soundtrack it is pretty strong. Blending old and new, with ska to rock there is something for everyone. Nothing you can't really find elsewhere but a solid collection worthy of tracking down.

Curious? Check out some MUSIC!

If you listen to any..please check out The Jam

The Specials

A Bowie-less version of "Under Pressure" but it is "live" so it is well worth your time right here


The soundtrack is still in print. You can buy it
here if you so desire.



Disclaimer - For the most part songs listed you can find on iTunes or your local cd shop. The idea is to give you a little taste of the music. Please support the artist buy purchasing some of their work. Songs are posted for about 1 week but can and will be removed at the request of the artist, band, band management etc. If you are one of those persons contact me via the email link in the profile and they will be removed as soon as we are made aware of the request.