The Straight Story

1	Laurens, Iowa 2:45
2	Rose's Theme 2:55
3	Laurens Walking 4:11
4	Sprinkler 2:56
5	Alvin's Theme 4:25
6	Final Miles 4:06
7	Country Waltz 2:46
8	Rose's Theme [Variation] 3:07
9	Country Theme 3:38
10	Crystal 4:07
11	Nostalgia 6:51
12	Farmland Tour 3:09
13	Montage 7:24

Barnes & Noble

Much of the success of filmmaker David Lynch ("Twin Peaks," "Blue Velvet") lies in his peerless ability to add subtext to his images, whether they be subtle or bombastic, with appropriately evocative musical cues. With the tender score that supports "The Straight Story," longtime Lynch collaborator and composer Angelo Badalamenti manages to reflect and deepen the deceptively simple structure and richly emotional resonance of Lynch's film with surprising clarity. Ostensibly, the movie concerns an elderly man's cross-country journey to visit an ailing brother; inwardly, it follows a much more profoundly poetic path, one belied by its understated story line. Alternating between sweetly melancholic string arrangements and wistful, folk- and flamenco-caressed acoustic passages, the soundtrack drifts gracefully beside its slow-moving visuals with a rustic, softly stated beauty. Although the album is bookended by an eerie, synth-string wash that inevitably recalls Badalamenti's defining theme for the "Twin Peaks" television series, "The Straight Story"'s musical motifs possess no real, dark underbelly. Rather, they go directly for the heart. Colin Helms

Barnes & Noble

Listening to this soundtrack album will stir up warm feelings even if you haven't seen "The Straight Story." The film tells the true story of Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old Iowan who rides his 1966 John Deere lawn-mower on a 320-mile odyssey to visit his ill brother and make amends. Grammy winner Angelo Badalamenti's soundtrack -- written for small string ensemble, fiddle, and guitar -- captures the essence of the Iowa farmland, its bluegrass-tinged music, and the deep emotional undercurrents of the movie's reconciliatory theme. You can hum along with some of the tunes, such as the tender "Country Waltz," while other tracks such as "Final Miles" and "Rose's Theme (Variation)" are more like symphonic snapshots of the movie's down-home spirit. None of the soloists are credited, but the solos for guitar ("Country Theme" and "Montage"), cello, and violin ("Crystal") deserve special mention. This album is the perfect gift for friends and family who have been touched by this film's heartwarming message. Carol Wright

All Music Guide

David Lynch's surprisingly direct, heartfelt film The Straight Story features a score by his longtime musical collaborator, Angelo Badalamenti. Elegant guitar pieces and Badalamenti's characteristically moody ambience match the film's unique look at a man who crosses the Midwest on his tractor to visit his ailing brother. Heather Phares