'The Rum Diary' serves up the perfect cocktail

The film adaptation of Hunter S Thompson's tale of unabashed hedonism on the island of Puerto Rico, The Rum Diary was not, one might say, a box office triumph or even an indie success in terms of critic reviews, despite the seemingly perfect formula for an excellent film. This can be blamed on poor scripting and casting selections or the fact that any Hunter S epic following Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas was doomed to fail, the bar being set too high for any film following to launch itself over.

The soundtrack to this film however, The Rum Diary – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, can be considered a complete success for those who want to remember the lazy days of summer or a long rum punch in the scorching sun. Released through Johnny Depp's production company, Infinitum Nihil, the record is a collection of the music of Christopher Young (Spider-Man 3, Drag Me to Hell); jazz infused productions reminiscent of '50s and '60s cocktail lounges, plus a few added in to create the perfect mix. Setting the scene with Dean Martin’s "Volare," the score sends us into lands only ever used for relaxing. Designed as “thematic possibilities for the film” according to Young, each track (obviously) coincides with a scene in the film, and is named as such. "Rum Diary," thick with sexy sax, smooth violin and Spanish guitar, ensures a smooth entrance while keys and cymbals direct hips to the dance floor.
And while all but a few tracks seem similar to the last, keeping the musical atmosphere consistent, the final four add the rock/punk element which can only be expected from an album Depp had something to do with. The JD band swing into gear full of harmonic melodies and guitar harmonies in "What About El Monstruo" and "Roll Out The Roosters," while Patti Smith’s "Mermaid Song" garnishes with romantic poeticism. A musical cocktail, shaken a little but slurped just as easily.