The Social Network Soundtrack

The Social Network Soundtrack was scored by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for the David Fincher film The Social Network, based on the popular social networking site Facebook. It was the first release from The Null Corporation to be marked with a Null number, being Null 01.

Trent Reznor's statements

It was announced that Reznor and Ross were taking part in the soundtrack on nin.com on July 1st, 2010:

"I was planning on taking some time off after the continual waves of touring that ended last fall and spend this year experimenting around with what would become How To Destroy Angels and some new NIN. Well, that plan didn't work out so well. David Fincher started inquiring about my interest in scoring his upcoming film, The Social Network. Yeah, the movie about the founding of Facebook. I've always loved David's work but quite honestly I wondered what would draw him to tell that story. When I actually read the script and realized what he was up to, I said goodbye to that free time I had planned. Atticus Ross and I have been on a creative roll so I asked him if he wanted to work on this with me and we signed on.

Months later, I'm happy to tell you we're nearing the completion of this and I couldn't be happier with how it's turned out. The level of excellence that David operates on is inspiring and the entire process has been challenging and truly enjoyable.

As Atticus and I near the end of the scoring process, we're looking forward to the next phase - distilling the large amount of music we've written for this down to a satisfying record (or two). The film opens Oct 1 in the US with the record likely available a couple of weeks ahead of that.

Speaking of the film... it's really fucking good. And dark!"

-Trent Reznor

Later, on the site, Reznor posted about the release:

"This is what Atticus and I have been working on for the last few months. We had a great time working with David Fincher on this and the film turned out excellent - something we're very proud of. It opens in theaters Oct 1 and you should check it out.

Musically, this all came out of our secret laboratory - electronic in basis, but mostly organic sounding. Lots of experiments and emphasis on sound fraying around the edges while focusing on the proper emotional tone for the various scenes.

Regarding the purchase options, sorry about the "clunkiness" of not offering the full record digital download pre-sale (and having to visit Amazon). My agenda was to be able to offer this for the lowest possible price and this was the best way to achieve that. Amazon has been a great partner with past projects and I appreciate your understanding."

- Trent Reznor, 9.16.10

Release

The first track from the soundtrack, "Hand Covers Bruise (No Piano)" debuted on The Social Network's website on August 30, 2010, streaming in the background. The album will be released by The Null Corporation and distributed by Sony Music.

A 5-track sampler for the album was released September 17, on The Null Corporation's homepage.

Sampler cover

The album was released digitally on September 28, exclusively on Amazon.com, and will be available in three physical formats: CD, Blu-Ray audio and Vinyl, released on October 11, 18 and 25 respectively.

Promotion

On the album's official Facebook page, a promotion for the movie was created on September 22nd, offering fans the chance to remix "On We March" and "In Motion", to win a chance to meet Ross and Reznor in Los Angeles, along with a seat at the film's premiere.

Tracklisting

The Social Network Soundtrack is available for download on Amazon MP3.

CD

"Hand Covers Bruise" - 4:18
"In Motion" - 4:56
"A Familiar Taste" - 3:35
"It Catches Up With You" - 1:39
"Intriguing Possibilities" - 4:24
"Painted Sun In Abstract" - 3:29
"3:14 Every Night" - 4:03
"Pieces Form The Whole" - 4:16
"Carbon Prevails" - 3:53
"Eventually We Find Our Way" - 4:17
"Penetration" - 1:14
"In The Hall Of The Mountain King" - 2:21
"On We March" - 4:14
"Magnetic" - 2:10
"Almost Home" - 3:33
"Hand Covers Bruise, Reprise" - 1:52
"Complication With Optimistic Outcome" - 3:19
"The Gentle Hum Of Anxiety" - 3:53
"Soft Trees Break The Fall" - 4:44

12" Vinyl

     A1 "Hand Covers Bruise" - 4:18
     A2 "In Motion" - 4:56
     A3 "A Familiar Taste" - 3:35
     A4 "It Catches Up With You" - 1:39
     A5 "Intriguing Possibilities" - 4:24

     B1 "Painted Sun In Abstract" - 3:29
     B2 "3:14 Every Night" - 4:03
     B3 "Pieces Form The Whole" - 4:16
     B4 "Carbon Prevails" - 3:53
     B5 "Eventually We Find Our Way" - 4:17

     C1 "Penetration" - 1:14
     C2 "In The Hall Of The Mountain King" - 2:21
     C3 "On We March" - 4:14
     C4 "Magnetic" - 2:10

     D1 "Almost Home" - 3:33
     D2 "Hand Covers Bruise, Reprise" - 1:52
     D3 "Complication With Optimistic Outcome" - 3:19
     D4 "The Gentle Hum Of Anxiety" - 3:53
     D5 "Soft Trees Break The Fall" - 4:44

Download Sampler

"Pieces Form The Whole" - 4:25
"Eventually We Find Our Way" - 4:17
"On We March" - 4:17
"The Gentle Hum Of Anxiety" - 3:51
"Soft Trees Break The Fall" - 4:39

Artwork

The album's art is by Rob Sheridan, based upon the designs used to promote the film, mixed with Sheridan's style of image distortion.[1][2][3][4]

Credits

Composed, arranged, performed, programmed and produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Except as noted

In The Hall Of The Mountain King written by Edvard Greig
Arranged, performed, programmed and produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Engineered by Blumpy
Mixed by Michael Patterson
Design: Rob Sheridan
Mastered by Tom Baker at Precision Mastering, CA

Executive Producer: David Fincher
Executive in charge of music for Columbia Pictures: Lia Vollack

Trent Reznor and Null management: Rebel Waltz Inc.
Atticus Ross management: First Artists Management

Special thanks to: Dana Brunetti, Shelly Bunge, David Byrnes, Valerie Caton, Cean Chaffin, Michael de Luca, Kim Davis, Brian and Leon Dewan, Paul Friedman, Randy Gertson, Don Kennedy, Paul Kremen, Ren Klyce, Doug Mark, Scott Rudin, Irina Volodarsky, Raul Perez, Angela Sidlow, and Kevin Spacey

In Motion is mislabeled as an "interpolation of 35 Ghosts IV" - the actual track is A Familiar Taste

Remix EP

On the album's official Facebook page, it was announced that it was planned for a remix EP to be released, of the best of fan remixes, and that many more multitracks would be released for the purpose.

Accolades

Hollywood Foreign Press (Golden Globe—Pending)
International Press Academy (Satellite Award—Pending)
Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC Award)
Broadcast Film Critics Association (Critics Choice Award—Pending)
Houston Film Critics Society (HFCS Award—Pending)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA Award)
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Asociation (WAFCA Award—Pending)
Alliance of Women Film Journalists (EDA Award)