2. Folk Soundtrack
Folk music might not be up everyone's street, but the sheer number of talented musicians drafted in for this film damn-near ensures that it's going to have some memorable tunes that just might clinch awards attention at the end of the year. The musical line-up includes T Bone Burnett, Justin Timberlake (who also has an acting part in the film), Marcus Mumford and Oscar Issac contributing various parts, generally covers of classic folk ditties. Coens fanatics might remember that Burnett also took this approach with the director's O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and the album sold 8 million copies. Burnett really might be the biggest reason to get excited here; his sublime work on 2009's Crazy Heart - the song "The Weary Kind" - earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Song, and so if there's anyone who can bring the musical brilliance to this film, it has to be him.