“There’s nothing like a 10-hour series to help you squeeze the maximum mileage out of all your musical themes!” Cliff Martinez joked about his score for Steven Soderbergh‘s upcoming series "The Knick," his tenth collaboration with the filmmaker. But the opportunities presented to composer and director alike on the Cinemax show allowed both to show what they are made of, and then some.
Martinez’s pulsating electronic score might seem incongruous for a medical drama set in 1900 in New York City, but it brings a lively energy to the show that more period specific music would not manage. The music adds a contemporary flavor to a show that thematically draws upon dawning of a new age, as the characters enter a 20th century where technological and scientific advancement presents wonders undreamt of.“ As usual, Steven and I rarely spoke and instead communicated via mental telepathy,” Martinez said. “In so many words, he told me: ‘We’re all going to recreate early 1900s New York as authentically as possible… except for you. I want the music to be modern and electronic.’"
The result can be heard below with the exclusive track, "Son Of Placenta Previa." The song is named after a medical procedure that opens the pilot in a quite bloody fashion, but takes on greater significance through the series. It’s a sampling of Martinez’s terrific work, with the soundtrack available via Milan Records starting on August 19th. "The Knick" kicks off this Friday, August 8th.
"The Knick" Soundtrack Tracklisting
1. Son of Placenta Previa
2. I’m In The Pink
3. Placental Repair
4. Finish Your Breakfast
5. Thus Speak Thack The Wise
6. Never Read Him
7. Aortic Aneurysm Junior
8. Goodnight Nurse Elkins
9. Drizzled Him Good
10. Not Leaving This Circus
11. Falling Off a Bicycle Plus
12. Call Me Dad
13. Fire It Up Again
14. Pretty Silver Stitches
15. Douse This
16. New Standard Hernia Procedure
17. Sail To Europe
18. Abscess
19. My Book
20. Will It Hurt