My personal favorite track is the bluesy "Our Mother is Alive"; it's both desperately sad and somehow optimistic. The other top track is "Brothers on Wheels", which famously incorporates the sound of a ticking clock and an industrial pile-driver into the percussion, backing up a bouncy acoustic-guitar melody. But even the "happy" tracks are tinged with sadness.

I eventually did see the movie, and I do love it, but be warned: The score itself is actually way undermixed. At times you can barely hear it, which seems like an unconscionable choice on the filmmakers' part. The movie also uses alternate versions of some tracks, so even if you already own the video, do yourself a favor and buy the soundtrack on CD.


A milestone - simply fantastic   January 6, 2003
Nicole N. Pellegrini (Philadelphia, PA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I have never seen the movie, don't really want to because the breathtaking music on this cd has created incredible images and moods in my mind for years. It is far from a simple "soundtrack CD" -- it is an incomparable percussive symphony bursting with energy and imagination. Like others, I wore out my original LP version long ago and it stands as my favorite work of Stewart's career. Highest recommendation.


Third Times the Charm   March 10, 2002
C. C. Pick (Atlanta, GA USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I would just like to say...read my fellow reviewers and then buy this CD. I feel that it is a masterpiece of imagination and percussion that has certainly stood the test of time. It is strange that I do not tire of this work. This is probably due to its rich and complex nature. I personally find that it is fantastic driving music.

This is now the third time I have bought this...one album (which I recorded) and this is the second CD (first one wore out).

Stop listening to me...buy this CD and listen to the music !!!


One of the top 5 soundtracks of all time   December 23, 2001
A. Mccormick (Lawrenceville, NJ United States)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Rumblefish was the starting point of launching Copeland on a very successful post-Police career as a soundtrack artist. While he has written many other successful tracks (most notable Talk Radio) Rumblefish stands alone as a work of tremendous energy and originality. I think that Stewart must have had many creative ideas that didn't fit with the Police that he needed to express. There is not a weak track on the disc.
If you like percussive music, this is a must. Having Stan Ridgway on a track is a nice bonus, too. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.


The Search for the Rumble Fish Soundtrack   May 31, 2005
Shea (Springfield, OH)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

When the "Rumble Fish" movie came out, I was very excited to see it. But even more, I looked forward to hearing the soundtrack upon knowing that it was by Stewart Copeland. Recognizing his name alone as being the drummer in the Police, I made up my mind to buy it without even knowing what it would sound like. I knew it would be good because it would feature his brilliant percussion. I used to listen to my vinyl record all the time--especially with headphones. Unlike other reviewers though, mine didn't wear out. :) It's very rare to hear and enjoy an album cover to cover; this one flows extremely well. It's even better to know that Francis Ford Coppola preferred to make movies like this and "The Outsiders" rather than the Godfather trilogies. (info from "Inside the Actors Studio") Can you believe that?! See Rumble Fish and treat yourself to the soundtrack--it's phenomenal.