Largehearted Boy: Book Notes - Jason Starr ("The Chill")

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January 22, 2010

Book Notes - Jason Starr ("The Chill")

In the Book Notes series, authors create and discuss a music playlist that relates in some way to their recently published book.

The Vertigo Crime series of graphic novels is one of the best things to happen to comics in years. The Chill is the third book in this exceptional series I have read, and easily the most engrossing and rewarding.

Before reading The Chill, I was unfamiliar with Jason Starr's books. With his fiction praised by the likes of George Pelecanos and Bret Easton Ellis, I was anxious to read his graphic novel debut.

The Chill is a modern noir thriller filled with dark humor and supernatural themes. The serial killer storyline is colored with Celtic mythology, and the resulting book explodes from the black and white pages. A gritty book not for the squeamish (the pages are often filled with nudity, profanity, and violence), The Chill combines Starr's inventive narrative with Mick Bertilorenzi's crisp artwork to form an unforgettable graphic novel.

Stream this playlist at Jason Starr's MySpace page.

In his own words, here is Jason Starr's Book Notes music playlist for his graphic novel, The Chill:

The Chill, my new graphic novel for Vertigo Crime, opens in Ireland in the late 1960's and then the scene shifts to modern day New York. There are several scenes in Boston and Brooklyn, and flashback scenes to Ireland, but the book is predominantly set in Manhattan. It's a dark, paranoid view of the city (brought to life by the brilliant artwork of Mick Bertilorenzi).

For the soundtrack, I've picked an eclectic mix of mainly Irish and American-based songs that reflect the varying moods of the story. While the book is a crime thriller that revolves around the hunt for a vicious serial killer, the plot also delves into druid mythology and the, well, very twisted love affair of Arlana Flaherty and Martin Cleary.

1. "Song to the Siren" by This Mortal Coil

The story opens with Arlana and Martin, as young lovers, on the cliffs by the sea in Ireland. It's an idealic day and while "Song to the Siren" is perfect for the mood, there's irony as well, as the day doesn't quite go as planned.

2. "Bitches" by Mindless Self Indulgence

When the scene shifts to New York, this (I guess) post-punk song matches the mood of a few horny bridge-and-tunnel guys on the prowl, commencing a night of clubbing in Manhattan they'll never forget.

3. "Pagan" by Cruchcan

Need some violent music for the gruesome murders in the book. This hellish song is just about as Satanic as it gets.

4. "Kiss Me I'm Shitfaced" by The Dropkick Murphys

When we meet the older Martin Cleary for the first time, he's living a rough life as an ex-cop in Boston, and this song would go perfectly.

5. "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues

Have to have a Pogues song, and this would go well for any scene with Cleary when he comes to New York and gets involved in the murder investigation.

6. "I'm Waiting for My Man" by Lou Reed

Can't have a dark story set in New York without a Lou Reed song. Besides, there's a subway scene this would be perfect for...And I'm sure Lou would do a new version of this song just for the movie....Right.

7. "Caislean Oir" by Clannad

Perfect for the scene with the priest in Brooklyn, or really as moody background music throughout.

8. "An Open Letter to New York" by Beastie Boys

This great anthem for New York City would fit well during many parts of the story.

9. "Change My World" by Moya Brennan

Beastie Boys followed by Moya Brennan?....Only for The Chill.

10. "Drowning Man" by U2

Had to include a U2 song and this song is perfect for the closing credits as it ties in to the druid mythology and love story. "I'll cross the sky for your love." Perfect.

Jason Starr and The Chill links:

the author's website
the author's Wikipedia entry
excerpt from the book

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