Rating: 9/10

I left this film feeling happy, touched, and ready to rock and, although I did enjoy the film itself, it was the soundtrack that made me fall in love with it. Obviously a film about DJs playing illegal rock n’ roll music would be heavy on the tunes and PIRATE RADIO does not disappoint. And we get a two-disc soundtrack to prove it.

Each DJ aboard Radio Rock had their own style and their own taste in music. I loved that with this radio station, no matter what your taste, someone was on board to speak to you and play the music you loved. I wish the time of DJs having their own personal musical voice was still true today. Sadly, DJs can have a personality, but their playlists are dominated by the stations requirements and we get the same 10 songs played on a loop all day and all night. The music of PIRATE RADIO brings you back to the magic of having no rules other than one: ROCK OUT.

I think the reason this film moved me so much was not just because I got into the story (see Ms. Kate Erbland’s review for that HERE), but because the music made it so much more emotionally resonant for me. I have always felt that music can heighten a scene and, in a film where music plays just as large a role as the story, the performances and everything else, it was like ear candy scene after scene. Score can do a lot, but I think getting wall-to-wall popular music not only enhances the scene, but it also triggers any personal memories or history you may have with that song.

The soundtrack is an awesome two-disc compilation of classic rock that any music fan will love. If you ever wanted a crash course in music history, here is your textbook. I personally love having the Who, Jimi, Bowie, the Beach Boys, and the Turtles all in one place and, if you see any artist you like or an artist you’ve always been interested in checking out, you’ll enjoy this album and maybe even find some new artists to love. The resounding consensus as we left the theater was, “I need to get the soundtrack!” Always a good sign.

My favorite part of the film was actually the end credits where album covers of bands from across the past few decades flashed across the screen (the Beatles to the Rolling Stones to Bob Marley to Snow Patrol to the Killers and I think I even saw a Taylor Swift album in there…). It just goes to show that music is timeless and constantly evolving, but at the end of the day, it’s something that speaks to everyone, no matter what your taste or preference.

This soundtrack is available on Universal Republic. You may also enter for a chance to win this soundtrack from us HERE.

Disc 1:
1. “Stay With Me Baby” – Duffy
2. “All Day” – The Kinks
3. “Elenore” – The Turtles
4. “Judy In Disguise” – John Fred And Playboys
5. “Dancing” – Martha Reeves
6. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” – Beach Boys
7. “Ooh Baby Baby” – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
8. “This Guy's In Love” – Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
9. “Hi Ho Silver Lining” – Jeff Beck
10. “I Can See For Miles” – The Who
11. “With A Girl Like You” – The Troggs
12. “I’m Alive” – The Hollies
13. “Yesterday Man” – Chris Andrews
14. “I’ve Been A Bad Bad Boy” – Paul Jones
15. “Silence Is Golden” – Tremeloes

Disc 2:
1. “Friday On My Mind” – Easybeats
2. “My Generation” – The Who
3. “I Feel Free” – Cream
4. “Wind Cries Mary” – Jimi Hendrix
5. “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” – Procol Harum
6. “These Arms Of Mine” – Otis Redding
7. “The Happening” – Supremes
8. “Cleo’s Mood” – Junior Walker & The All Stars
9. “She’d Rather Be With Me” – The Turtles
10. “98.6” – The Bystanders
11. “Sunny Afternoon” – Kinks
12. “Father And Son” – Cat Stevens
13. “Nights In White Satin” – Moody Blues
14. “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” – Dusty Springfield
15. “Stay With Me” – Lorraine Ellison
16. “This Old Heart Of Mine” – The Isley Brothers
17. “Let’s Dance” – David Bowie