Horrible Bosses (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2011 film of the same name, released by WaterTower Music on July 5, 2011. The album features 33 tracks from the score composed by Christopher Lennertz and contributions from Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Stefan Lessard of Dave Matthews Band and Money Mark—a collaborator with the Beastie Boys; the trio further worked with Matt Chamberlain, David Levita, Aaron Kaplan, Victor Indrizzo, Chris Chaney, Davey Chegwidden and DJ Cheapshot to develop the music.
Development
Lennertz recorded the soundtrack at The Village recording studio in West Los Angeles and Capitol Records. Lennertz attempted to remain "authentic" to the characters' progression from average worker to calculated killer. To achieve this aim, he decided against recording digitally, instead recording the tracks on two-inch analog tape, intending each musical cue to sound as if it was emanating from a vinyl record. He explained, "The idea was to put together a band that would record the score together the same way that they would make an album. It isn't over-produced or shiny and digital in any way. It's brash, noisy, and full of bravado and swagger. I knew that if we could harness some of this sonic magic in the score, then the toughness and confidence of the music would play against Bateman, Sudeikis, and Charlie Day to really emphasize and elevate the humor in the situations that transpire." Lennertz continued, "We tracked through tape before Pro Tools to get that fat sound, and made every choice based on feel rather than perfection. We even used the same Wurlitzer that Money Mark played on Beck's classic ‘Where It's At’. At the end of the day, Seth [Gordon] and I wanted to produce a score that is as irreverent and full of attitude as the movie itself. I think we did it...and most of all, everyone had a blast in the process."
Track listing
Film music not included in the album
"The Underdog" – Spoon "Crazy" – Booker T. Jones "Learn to Lose" – Hockey "Sabotage" – Beastie Boys "Sydney (I’ll Come Running)" – Brett Dennen "Lay Me Down" – Dirty Heads "Beatin' Down the Block" – B.A.S.K.O. "How You Like Me Now?" – The Heavy "The Message" – Cymande "Koo Koo Rocks" – With the Quickness "Kung Fu Fighting" – Carl Douglas "That's Not My Name" – The Ting Tings "Perfect Day" – The Constellations "MoneyGrabber" – Fitz and the Tantrums "I Be Doin’ It" – Classic "Rhythm of the Night" – DeBarge "This is How I Roll" – Money Mark
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Reception Gregory Heaney of AllMusic wrote that "the film's score adds an element of seriousness to the on-screen comedy, providing a nice sense of balance to this ensemble black comedy." Dan Goldwasser of Soundtrack.Net wrote "The score by Chris Lennertz is fun and energetic, primarily rock-band based, playing out the tension of the scenes and driving the characters forward."
Personnel
Album credits Music – Christopher Lennertz Additional music – Money Mark, Jess Stroup Music production – Christopher Lennertz, Jess Stroup, Todd Bozung Co-producer – Jeff Vaughn, Money Mark Recording – Kevin Globerman, Larry Mah, Jeff Vaughn Mixing – Jeff Vaughn Mastering – Stephen Marsh Score editor – Todd Bozung Assistant score editor – Jaclyn Newman Assistant engineer – Charlie Paakkari, Ghian Wright, Vanessa Parr Orchestration – Andrew Kinney Contractor – David Low Music co-ordinator – Anne Roever, Kim Baum, Libby Umstead Copyist – Steve Juliani Music Executive producer – Seth Gordon, Dana Sano, Erin Scully Music supervisor – Dana Sano Performer credits Bass – Chris Chaney, Stefan Lessard Drums – Matt Chamberlain, Victor Indrizzo Electric guitar – David Levita, Mike McCready Guitar – Aaron Kaplan Keyboards, vocals, toy – Money Mark Percussion – Davey Chegwidden Remix, turntables – DJ Cheapshot
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References