The first time I heard Kreng’s sharp-as-a-knife soundtrack for Camino, it went straight to my Top Five Favorite Soundtracks. I realize, of course, that is a subjective thing to say. Everyone has their favorite albums. I mention it because My Top Five soundtrack albums are albums that remain my favorites for decades. So, fair warning: I have a crush on this album.
Camino, directed by Josh Waller, tells the story of Avery Taggert (Zoë Bell, Death Proof, Whip It), an award-winning photojournalist recovering from a recent tragedy who accepts a job in Colombia to travel with and photograph a religious group/military force led by Guillermo (Nacho Vigalondo, Timecrimes). When Avery witnesses Guillermo murder a Colombian child during a drug deal, he frames her for the murder and orders the rest of his squad to hunt her down.
One of my favorite tracks on the album is “Justicia!” The track plays under the aforementioned scene in which Avery witnesses a child’s murder at the hands of the warlord she has been hired to photograph. The intense chase sequence that follows the murder begins with an unique directorial choice: a long, slow 180 degree pan away from the murder and toward our protagonist. Through most of the shot we see only dark jungle. Underscored by Kreng’s pounding distorted percussion, mere shots of leaves and vines become intensely threatening – more threatening as we realize the murderer knows his crime has been witnessed.
Avery makes a run for it. The militant group immediately sets after her. We, the audience, just like Avery, have no time to catch our breath. The chase scene that follows ratchets up the tension again and again. Just when you think the sequence will end, it doesn’t. Just when you think the score couldn’t possibly get louder or heavier, it kicks into a higher gear.
Kudos to Josh Waller and Kreng (Pepijn Caudron) for assembling one of the loudest, most industrially-scored foot chases I’ve ever seen on film.
In partnership with Lakeshore Records, Invada Records has released a stunning vinyl package for Camino. Double LP on clear vinyl with gorgeous blood-red artwork and insert booklet designed to mimic Avery’s notebook. This edition is limited to 500 copies, so grab one now here (UK) or here (US).
Camino is also available digitally on iTunes and Spotify. You can also pick up a deluxe Digipak CD.
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This Staff Pick is by John Bergin, Art Director and A&R for Lakeshore Records. Follow John on Twitter: @JBXX
