Mine was Die Hard.

Just finished editing together a suite for Naoki Sato's score for the live action "Space Battleship Yamoto" film. :)

Shouldn't this be in the same section as the "what song are you currently listening to thread v2"?

Yoko Kanno's score for Macross Plus.

She may steal her music, but man does it sound incredible.

Shouldn't this be in the same section as the "what song are you currently listening to thread v2"?


I suppose it depends on how fast it derails. :p

Halloween.

I'm in the midst of of arranging a suite for Michael Giacchino's score for the LOST episode "Ab Aeterno".

I suppose it depends on how fast it derails. :p

Troof

I assumed the OP meant which score in it's entirety. :-P

In it's entirety can mean so much here. With all the bootlegs and what not.

When putting together suites I am listening to it in it's entirety. Picking out the best moments while trying to represent all the main themes too.

So "BLAH" to that, Doc. :laugh:

Lightkeepers by Pinar Toprak....

So "BLAH" to that, Doc. :laugh:

You barbaric antagonist. So "BLEH" to that, cuckoo. :laugh:

love the idea of this thread

yeah me too.

Filmtracks has a "daily listening to thread" I quite like.

Every morning I check it see what other folks are listening to. Sometimes it influences my playlist for the day. Which is nice, because normally I wouldn't think of putting on something like let's say John Williams' "The Terminal" and would be missing out.


You barbaric antagonist. So "BLEH" to that, cuckoo. :laugh:

Titties. Fat. Suck. Mine.

:doc:

yeah me too.

Filmtracks has a "daily listening to thread" I quite like.

Every morning I check it see what other folks are listening to. Sometimes it influences my playlist for the day. Which is nice, because normally I wouldn't think of putting on something like let's say John Williams' "The Terminal" and would be missing out.


filmtracks? the site that has the reviews too?

I'm only going to post here if I let something play from start to finish. Everything else goes in the thread Snowman mentioned.

I just finished Dexter, Season One so it goes here. :D

filmtracks? the site that has the reviews too?

Yeah. The message boards can be pretty snooty at times but there's a few interesting folks there too.

Yeah. The message boards can be pretty snooty at times but there's a few interesting folks there too.

good to know! :D I'll take a look.

now listening to:

Michal Lorenc - Rozyczka


so, was "the terminal" more blah or more bleh then? ;)

The last score I listened was Arsene Lupin by Debbie Wiseman

Disney's Mulan

the home of dark butterflies - panu aaltio

Reviews:


Lovely, Melodic Minimalist Score from Panu Aaltio


May 29, 2009 David Abraham Dueck

Aaltio's gorgeously restrained score bucks the trend for most minimalism-influenced film soundtracks and proves both thematically and melodically enchanting.

It is not rare for arthouse films to sport musical scores of classical or minimalist influence; the scores of Philip Glass and Nico Muhly are testament to the fact that such soundtracks can work hypnotic wonders within the context of their films, even if their repetitious natures can betray them on album.

But Panu Aaltio’s churning, sweepingly dramatic score to The Home of Dark Butterflies is a perfect example of minimalism used as a device rather than a form in a film score, with turbulent chord repetitions used as a powerful foundation for some genuinely passionate melody and thematic development.

Simple Orchestral Palette in Butterflies Score


The ensemble at work in Butterflies is a fairly conservative string orchestra with piano; not the most colorful instrumental palette, but it is after all a minimalist-influenced score, and the depth and emotional range covered in the performance is nonetheless outstanding. Occasional colorful accents are added at times, however, in the form of xylophone, bells and other light percussive effects, giving the score a nicely rounded and chillingly effective identity.

Thematic Solidity in Aaltio's Minimalist-Influenced Soundtrack
The main theme itself (indeed, some might call it the only theme on the album) is a rising-and-falling idea which itself is somewhat repetitive, but with an enchanting elegance and compelling emotional core which is immediately reminiscent of passionate works by Georges Delerue and Rachel Portman (although Aaltio’s musical voice is noticeably much closer to Philip Glass’ than to either of those composers). The track “Boys Decide to Stay” has a particularly Portman-like sound as the high-range solo piano picks out the melody of the main theme while the strings chop away in the middle ranges.

Those portions of the score not carried by its defining chord ostinatos and main theme are typically ambient in nature, although never uninteresting; tracks like “Jealous Christmas” are as compelling as any track on the album due to their complex orchestrations and effective structure, building from brooding textures into a powerful and rhythmic statement of musical drama.



The album is not particularly long at slightly over 40 minutes; but this is not a problem or concern given the score’s reliance on one main thematic idea. Were the album longer, it is very possible it could grow tiring or obnoxious in its emotional urgency and unvarying thematic value. As it is, the score is perfect in its length, never outstaying its welcome and maintaining enough fresh surprises around every corner to engage and enchant any avid film score lover.

Conclusion
Overall, the score is a largely no-frills piece of intelligent, lovely film scoring. The theme is instantly memorable and very attractive in all its renderings on the album. The tone of the score is incredibly consistent throughout the album’s playing time, with nary a spot of cacophony or dissonance marring the smoothly harmonic but potently dramatic beauty of the score.

Collectors of larger-scale blockbuster scores may pass this one over as being “boring” or “anonymous,” but they could not be farther from the truth; fans of similarly minimalist-influenced scores such as Lady in the Water and The Truman Show will want to investigate this score without hesitation. Recommended!








by Mike Brennan
on January 19th, 2010
Panu Aaltio, a native of Finland, is a relative newcomer to the film music industry, but already made an impression with his score to the 2008 drama, Home of Dark Butterflies. This film, about a group of boys in foster care on The Island, is a dark film, both in content and the often cold cinematography, by director Dome Karukoski. Aaltio's score captures this dark tone through the use of minor keys and suspended chords, while maintaining a building tension through a moving bass line in the low strings. What is particularly impressive about this score is its ability to evoke the emotions of the story - tension, anger, hope - independently of the film.
The "Main Title" opens with the moving bass line below a set of chimes. The main theme is then introduced in "Big Plans" on the piano and strings, the two primary components of the score. This theme is used frequently throughout the score in some variation, which adds to the score's impact as a soundtrack album. However, the theme is rarely heard in full between it's first iteration and the finale cues. It can be heard in the strings, as in "The Butterfly Project", or on a solo piano in "Boys Decide to Stay" but the full orchestration of the theme does not appear again until later. Other times, the theme is used only as a series of chords with the moving underscore, as in "Memories in Water", or a set of piano chords, as in "Alone". Other cues, such as "Fever and Nightmares", are more ambient in tone, similar to Aaltio's other feature score from 2008, Sauna.
The main theme itself functions as an emotional core to the film. It opens and closes in a D-minor key, with a jump to F-major briefly in the middle, before returning to the darker tonality of the minor key. The composer explained that this was done to insert a glimpse of happiness that never settles in, but is more sought after than found. The alternation between these keys creates the feel of the score that corresponds with the cold cinematography of the film. Cues like "The Past Revealed" and "The Farewell" build in a steep crescendo that maintains the tension in the score while also evoking a feeling of beauty that never is completely realized.
The pinnacle of the score is the finale cue, "Forgiveness", which sees a return of the main theme in its full orchestration, first heard in "Big Plans". This cue reminds me of the funeral scene from Michael Suby's The Butterfly Effect (the similarity in name being purely coincidental), in that it has a sorrowful, dark beauty that hints at happiness. "Forgiveness" begins with the theme on piano and segues into a slowly building string and piano statement. The theme is then played a second time that is the strongest orchestral presence in the score, but maintains the dark, minor key tonality, complete with suspensions between the string chords while also picking up the tempo. The album closes with a quiet piano solo in "Saying Goodbye". Home of Dark Butterflies is a score than many film music fans missed (admittedly, myself included) but is a stunning drama score from a new composer that is worth checking out. The film was not released in America, but the album is on iTunes, so I strongly recommend readers check out "Forgiveness" at the very least.

blood & wine - Michal Lorenc


Review by Louise Keller:
Blood and Wine is a great title. It conjures up images of the good life intertwined with evil. Bob Rafelson uses the themes of greed, lust and betrayal coupled with riveting ingredients to bring an emotionally satisfying, biting thriller. Jack Nicholson uses all his considerable skills to portray Alex, a seriously flawed character with a charming side and a hint of a conscience. Nicholson is a craftsman, and plays this type of evil convincingly. Michael Caine’s role as Victor Spansky is perhaps his strongest in many years. He makes a formidable and intimidating villain, with his large physique and grossly dyed black hair, moustache and chronic cough. His believable portrayal of such a charmless brute of a villain with no quality to redeem him whatsoever is most convincing and he fully encapsulates the sliminess of this evil character. There is a certain piquancy to some of the scenes shared by Caine and Nicholson. ‘There is no honour among thieves,’ Caine says. There is something rather eerie about the pool-side scene when Nicholson and Caine make their final confrontation: we glimpse shades of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest", which could not possibly have been a coincidence. Stephen Dorff is terrific as Nicholson’s step son, and Judy Davis gives yet another superb performance fraught with understated emotion and power. The script is sharp and deliberate; the lighting is moody; Michael Lorenc’s music score is dark and effectively uses repetitive phrases to build up the tension.

Adiantum Blue - Michiru Oshima (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f92/big-orchestral-action-music-thread-57893/206.html#post1477052)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Tan Dun

the other boleyn girl - paul cantelon



Adiantum Blue - Michiru Oshima (http://forums.ffshrine.org/f92/big-orchestral-action-music-thread-57893/206.html#post1477052)

Sanico, thx for this one: listening now and it is exactly the style I love. :)

True Legend - Shigeru Umebayashi

Not his best but it has some fairly good stuff on it.

Sadly the best cue on it (Drunken Master) did not make it to my "best of 2010". :(

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Nice score. I also like Tan Dun's Hero and the Banquet.


True Legend - Shigeru Umebayashi
Not his best but it has some fairly good stuff on it.

Yeah, i've heard it but didn't like it too and give up listening halfway through.
Definitely not his best


Now Playing: The Terminal - John Williams
:)

Umineko - Michiru Oshima

under the tuscan sun - christophe beck

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Hero

Tan Dun

Hero

Tan Dun

okokok. I will listen to it.

;)

Hero

Tan Dun

Oh that's wonderful. Love in Distance is one of my most played tracks. I heard that track alone more than any sane person should...

Now Playing: Star Wars ep1

last of the mohicans - randy edelman & trevor jones

[forgot how good this one is]

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Great music I loved that movie the last time I saw it was four-ish years ago.

Big Trouble In Little China (Bluray/5.1/DTSHDMA/24bit)
John Carpenter

And I'll be listening to it again soon!
..as I make a custom rip of it in 5.1/FLAC.

Oceans / Bruno Coulais

I've had this since it came out and I don't know how it went ignored.

cracks - javier navarrete



Oceans / Bruno Coulais

I've had this since it came out and I don't know how it went ignored.

hm. sounds like one I should listen to as well, I will...

Last one was Kiki's Delivery Service, because a Ghibli a day keeps doctors away :o

Last one was Kiki's Delivery Service, because a Ghibli a day keeps doctors away :o

:shock: :sad:

just kidding :D

Oh no no. It's not you doc. I was talking about the "others" doctors. I mean a Ghibli is the best medicine we can have :D

I know. I was just kidding. :-P

I love Ghibli as well. http://www.adiumxtras.com/images/thumbs/totoro_final_version_1_10573_3968_thumb.gif

------------------------------------

Ghost In The Shell - Innocence

Kenji Kawai

I never doubted that doc :)

And since it's friday im listening now Cowboy Bebop OST 1

Watch out for Doc. He'll eat you first chance he gets.

Garry Schyaman's "BioShock 2" score.

I absolutely adore this creepy little score.

I like the score better than the game this time around, while it's the other way around with the first one. :confused:

Hoshi no Koe (aka Voices of a Distant Star)

Tenmon


Watch out for Doc. He'll eat you first chance he gets.

:shock: You uncouth contumelious fiend. You're supposed to be my PR man. I'll have to review your salary, I must be paying you too many peanuts.

Vertigo

Bernard Herrmann

one night with a king - j.a.c. redford

Shunsuke Kikuchi - Dragon Ball Z Movie 1

Quest for Fire - Philippe Sarde

The Pacific / Hans Zimmer, Geoff Zanelli & Blake Neely

Excellent. Probably one of the best score from last year....it's just so damned dreary I don't see myself revisiting the album as a whole all that often for entertainment purposes.

End of Evangellion

Shiro Sagisu

La fille de d'artagnan - Philippe Sarde (4 out of 5)



The Pacific / Hans Zimmer, Geoff Zanelli & Blake Neely

Excellent. Probably one of the best score from last year....it's just so damned dreary I don't see myself revisiting the album as a whole all that often for entertainment purposes.

I on the other hand don't like this score. I find it to be very boring unlike the Thin Red Line which is one of my favorites from Zimmer. Apart of the main title there's nothing on the Pacific soundtrack that caught my attention.

Girl with a Pearl Earring - Desplat

I love Griet's Theme and all the little variations on the theme you hear through the album.

4,5 out of 5

The Thomas Crown Affair (1967)

Michel LeGrand (et al).

les filles du botanist - eric levy

Sleepy Hollow

The Elfman

dad - james horner

Ink

Jamin Winans

Armand Amar's "AO, le dernier N�andertal"

One of my favorites from 2010. A wonderful, wonderful score.

now and then - cliff eidelman



Armand Amar's "AO, le dernier N�andertal"

One of my favorites from 2010. A wonderful, wonderful score.

will put it on my list :)

Les Deux Mondes / Richard Harvey

I think this might be Harvey at his finest adventure writing. He's got some other really good scores but none quite as this fun.



will put it on my list :)

If it's not available on these forums, I can hook you up if you'd like. :)

If it's not available on these forums, I can hook you up if you'd like. :)

many thanks forthe kind offer, I have it in my archive, but I never gave it a listen (as with so many others)

/edit: I did listen NOW, I am pleasently surprised!



ocean men - cliff eidelman

Agnes of God - Georges Delerue

4 out of 5

Agnes of God - Georges Delerue

4 out of 5

will give this one a new try now :D


the duchess - edward shearmur


@cuckoo: AO neanderthal is real good!

Edward Scissorhands

The Elfman


If it's not available on these forums, I can hook you up if you'd like. :)


many thanks forthe kind offer, I have it in my archive

He's a hugable little bunny, isn't he? :laugh:. :D

La Herencia Valdemar / Arnau Bataller

The kind of huge and gothic that stands up with "Lesbian Vampire Killers" and "Sleepy Hollow".



@cuckoo: AO neanderthal is real good!

I know, eh?

It was one of the many scores that took me completely off guard last year.

taro iwashiro - the samurai I loved [semi shigure]





I know, eh?

It was one of the many scores that took me completely off guard last year.

me too. :)
I just thought, oh well, if cuckoo sais so, give it a listen. But wow!




He's a hugable little bunny, isn't he? :laugh:. :D

"Cuckoo, the hugable little bunny"

I am not sure if mentioning that would make him kill me :D

Hi, um...my name is bud-arc. I'm new here. Cuckoo told me to post, so... *runs off, hides shyly in the corner* :puppydog:

Yeah. Last album I listened to was the new remastered Nightmare Before Christmas expanded (complete?) score. Shiny.

I just finished a listen of AO neandertal (thanks sorei!), and i actually liked some parts of the score.
There isn't an easily recognizable theme but i guess there's no need of one with a movie of this kind. Instead there are recurrent long string passages that creates some dramatic moments, but is all very elegant and beautiful.

4 out of 5


Hi budarc :o

Just gave an oldie (but a goodie) a spin.

Brian Tyler and The Red Elvises' insanely entertaining rockabilly surf rock score "Six-String Samurai".

Once Upon A Time In China

Romeo D�az, James Wong, Chow Gam-wing



One of two albums I spin at least once a week. and have done for a long time. Love it.

I've not heard it.

....but if you spin it at least once a week, that's enough for me to seek it out.

...

......we say "spin".............

....we're old.....:rofldata:

It's from the Jet Li movie. Traditional Chinese instruments. You may not like it. I'll send it your way.


......we say "spin".............
....we're old.....

:rofldata: :rofldata: :rofldata: :sad:

Traditional Chinese Instruments?

:shock: :shock:

No then.

:rolleyes:

It's all right....I can probably find it myself. If no luck, I'll get back to you. :)

No then.

Ignore that last PM then. :laugh: Anyone else wants it let me know because I've already started the U/L.

Well, if you've all ready started uploading it, then I'll take it.

You'd know that..........if your inbox wasn't full. :p

Hmmm...missed this thread.

Last week, listened to: Battlestar Galactica..the new Stu Philips one
48 Hours: James Horner
Star Trek II: James Horner
Rascals and Robbers; James Horner
NCIS Official score
Nightmare Before Christmas expanded
Alice In Wonderland Expanded. Discs 1-4 of the Ron Jones Next Gen set
Wanted: Danny Elfman

Those are the only full scores. I listen to a playlist on the ipod every night.

Hmmm...missed this thread.

Last week, listened to: ...
NCIS Official score
...

still have to listen to this one :)

Zaina- Cyril Morin

A Civil Action: Danny Elfman.

Nice enugh, but I deleted it. I am being pretty harsh, now. looking for room and will only keep scores I will listen to over and over, or even just parts of scores...:O

Yeah, "A Civil Action" was all right. Elfman in Thomas Newman mode.

Have you ever tried editing together suites?

It's a great way to keep the best stuff off of different scores and dismissing the rest.

I don't know how to do that, but now I have cleared out the collection somewhat., I am gonna listen to the albums I have.

Radical idea, I know. But I will make notes on the tracks I want to keep, perhaps make my own compilations....

---------- Post added at 01:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:51 AM ----------

I don't mind his quieter stuff or anything, it's just not what drew me to him in the first place....Elfman's A Simple Plan is on now...

---------- Post added at 02:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:59 AM ----------

I have about 76gb left, after just downloading an even 50 Elfman albums. :/ Now, to listen to them....

[/COLOR]I have about 76gb left, after just downloading an even 50 Elfman albums. :/ Now, to listen to them....

...oh my. is horner in any danger here of being abandoned? ;)

NA, HE AND THE TV THEMES MASSIVLY OUTWEIGH EVERYTHING ELSE. bUT YEA, i S'POSE i WILL DO THIS TO THEM TOO IN TIME...

Kamui Gaiden - Taro Iwashiro

This is a nice score. The main theme is wonderful and reminds me the Papillon theme created by Goldsmith. The track 'Bloody Dance' is a good example.
Perhaps it is repeated many times along the album, but that's not a bad thing when the theme is good.
There are some action tracks, mainly percussion poundings. Didn't liked them as much as the rest of the score.

3,5 out of 5

Donnie Darko

Michael Andrews

Beetlejuice / Danny Elfman......

.....and it sounds fantastic. FANTASTIC! :D


Donnie Darko

Michael Andrews

Digging the Darko lately, eh?

If you like Andrews' work on that, you might like Brian Tyler's "The Lazarus Project" or Cliff Martinez's "Solaris".

Beetlejuice / Danny Elfman......

.....and it sounds fantastic. FANTASTIC! :D

You finally got it, eh? :)

You finally got it, eh? :)

http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/bunny-rabbit.gifhttp://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/bunny-rabbit.gifhttp://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/bunny-rabbit.gifhttp://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/bunny-rabbit.gifhttp://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/bunny-rabbit.gif

Your right...some of the craftmanship on the actual box is a little shoddy....but the music itself sounds fantastic.

I can't wait to put on the DVD...........and the book..........I GOT'S ME THE BOOK!!!

The book is amazing...the most in-depth stuff on Elfman I've seen so far. They kind of skimp over Tim Burton, though.

Glad you finally received it. Elfman box party!

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lj63aw3OvC1qhiqdio1_400.gif

Edward Scissorhands / Danny Elfman

(I skipped Batman....I'll go back to it later....La-La Land did it justice)


The book is amazing...the most in-depth stuff on Elfman I've seen so far. They kind of skimp over Tim Burton, though.
I've said it before but I'll say it again...i've been waiting for over 20 years for a book like this on Elfman.

I have a few Burton books all ready so I'm too concerned about that side of it.


Elfman box party!


http://www.gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs1/1841451_o.gif

YouTube - Danny Elfman Tim Burton Box Set - Opening the box (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTkS54Mrrwo)

:rofldata:

I would have killed someone.

---------- Post added at 12:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 PM ----------


Wait, this isn't STS, is it?

It's score related. It should be all good.

As long as we stay on topic and don't get too crude n' rude, I think it's all good. :)

I love how carefully he opens the box...so delicately, with trepidation. That was totally me!

:rofldata:

On that note, have a listen to the MOMA stuff (disc 14) soon. It's amazing. :shock:

The Nightmare Before Christmas.

You all know who's responsible for this masterpiece, it's all over the forum right now.

-------------------------------

Has STS spilled into another thread again? :laugh:


Digging the Darko lately, eh?
If you like Andrews' work on that, you might like Brian Tyler's "The Lazarus Project" or Cliff Martinez's "Solaris".
Love me some Darko. Will check em out, thanks. :D

a single man - abel korzeniowsky (and shigeru umebayashi)

Broke away from the Elfmathon and got loud n' abrasive with Mike Patton's "Crank : High Voltage" score.

It always makes me laugh.

:rofldata:


a single man - abel korzeniowsky (and shigeru umebayashi)

Bud pointed this one out to me. Very nice. :)

Did someone say rude and crude?

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb1/ConstantMnemonic/imaginapproved.gif

I think the last score I listened to was Constantine's......when I bought it.......

Was upset that I had to buy that Perfect Circle album for Passive =/

I quite like "Constantine".

I have two versions. The film version with Klaus Badelt & Brian Tyler.

...and then the unreleased version that was recorded before the studio brought in Klaus Badelt to "remix" Tyler's score for more commercially viable purposes. :-\

Also...."Passive" ...excellent song. :)

Passive is wonderful, but they had to go and do (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding :(

Plus, no matter what they drape over it, it's a hippie album. I've come to hate that sort of thing more and more as time goes by.

Lowe and Costello get a pass. Cuz Lowe and Costello.

Cath me if you can - John Williams

On a change of pace from the last soundtracks i've heard lately, today i listened this Williams score since years. I don't particularly like this Williams style but the father's theme albeit written in a sad way is beautiful to listen with the saxophone solo. The rest of the score stands its jazzy main theme on which they run some variations.

3 out of 5

Yeah, Williams went through a weird phase where his music didn't interest me much.

They had great themes but apart from the rest of the album fell short.

I suppose a tailor made John Williams compilation or playlist would fix that.

Alice in Wonderland / Elfy Danman

Finally get to listen to all the undiluted tracks... No more choral!

Post it, post it !!! :D kidding. I just listened to it last night. And Nightmare as well.

Here it is: Alice in Wonderland.rar (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5ZZ59ABY)

No one will ever think to look for it here. :p

Silly question: does anyone know about what film order the bonus tracks and extras from Alice ought to be in?

Ok, the Dark Knight complete score just posted. Now, I know many are loosing their minds over this, and I don't want to impede their happy. So I will ask this here instead....what the hell is the big whoop with this score? It did not blow me away. It did not even caress me me with a gentle breeze. Is it maybe just the rareness of it? The quest? I really am curious what some of you think of it....

Angie - Jerry Goldsmith

In need of something quiet and gentle, i played this soundtrack by Goldsmith.
Angie's theme is lovely, and the score is a perfect music combination for a sunny sunday like today.

Normand Corbeil's score for "Heavy Rain".

Budarc pointed me towards this one...and I'm glad he did.

It's perfect for this dreary Vancouver rainy day....(sprinkled with a mighty fine hangover to boot. :p)

A noir-ish, emotionally heavy score that sounds like it could hold hands with Howard Shore's "Silence Of The Lambs" and feel all snuggly.

It's broody, bold and heavy on the dark. :)

I'm happy to have one of the "Score Suites" I edited together featured at this website. :)

The Marco Beltrami Universe (http://www.marco-beltrami.com/)

Normand Corbeil's score for "Heavy Rain".

Budarc pointed me towards this one...and I'm glad he did.

It's perfect for this dreary Vancouver rainy day....(sprinkled with a mighty fine hangover to boot. :p)

A noir-ish, emotionally heavy score that sounds like it could hold hands with Howard Shore's "Silence Of The Lambs" and feel all snuggly.

It's broody, bold and heavy on the dark. :)

Ok, I'll try

and in case it is too dark I'll try "Angie" afterwards! :D


/edit:
....Corbeil in principal with his style is intresting, too scary for me though, this one, some nice tracks, nut not soothing enough...

trying angie now...

but I do like Angie!

Mars Attacks - Danny Elfman

Ack! Ack! Ack!
Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack!
Ack!
Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack!

And yesterday after Mars Attacks i also heard First Knight by Jerry Goldsmith. It is a spectacular symphonic score with memorable themes. It's strength lies in its action music that evokes a feeling of medieval heroism like in 'Arthur's Farewell', 'Raid on Leonesse', and a romantic theme heard in a full statement on the tracks 'Promise Me' and 'A New Life'. This is one of the best that i've heard from Goldsmith, on his oeuvre of romantic themes. The album ends in a bittersweet mode, but probably with the best track of them all, the majestic 'Camelot Lives'.
It's a short score with only 40 minutes of music, but that will be fixed in the new expanded edition with almost 2 and a half hours :D

the great miracle - mark McKenzie

Sanico, was that the LLL mars, or the new Music Box? Either way, can you share?

True Blood

Nathan Barr


Ack! Ack! Ack!
Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack!
Ack!
Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack! Ack!

:rofldata: :rofldata: :rofldata:

I have both True Blood score albums, but not really thoroughly listened. The music works well on the show though, I must say.

I have both True Blood score albums, but not really thoroughly listened. The music works well on the show though, I must say.

I adore the first one. :D The second one doesn't come anywhere close to creating the same atmosphere, imo.

I had the soundtrack albums as well but they were a bit crap. :-P

Sanico, was that the LLL mars, or the new Music Box? Either way, can you share?

It was the LLL edition. I just saw that you made a request in the hunt thread and someone shared over there. No need from me to share the album now, right?

Right. Thank you though.

Fight Club - The Dust Brothers pure dance with a splice of trip hop.

The Wicker Man (1973)
Paul Giovanni

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a "score" but ... :D

spring, summer,, fall, winter & spring - Ji Bark

Love it...

I listened a couple of scores in the last days from Marianelli's Jane Eyre (ok, but nothing more) to James Newton Howard The Village (great score), and right now i'm listening Aria The Animation (Various Composers). If you like to hear something relaxing and gorgeous with a feel of mediterranean flavor, then this is excellent for you! :)

There's 2 more soundtracks of Aria shared by klnerfan, which I haven't heard it yet. This is a link for the first one, the other two were also posted in the same thread: http://forums.ffshrine.org/f92/big-orchestral-action-music-thread-57893/303.html#post1667182

Pavilion of Women by Conrad Pope

In my opinion is one of the bests "unknown" scores of the last years. A blending of western and eastern music styles with an orchestra and chinese instruments. The track 'Faith' is simply breathtaking.

Carnivale / Jeff Beal

Still one of my favorite TV scores. It blends weird, scary, folksy and gothic all into one and works quite effectively on album and in it's original context.

The album does feel like it runs just a little bit too long but with a little bit of editing, you can get an excellent 40 to 45 minute compilation of the best bits.




Pavilion of Women by Conrad Pope

I'm gonna look this one up.

Your description alone has sold me. :)

blood and bones - taro iwashiro


...a review
My first exposure to Iwashiro was his score to the great Japanese film (based on an important Japanese-Korean true-life, biographical novel), Blood and Bones (血と骨; Chi to Hone), starring one of my true cinema heroes, Kitano Takeshi (北野 武). The soundtrack to Blood and Bones -- the story of a Korean immigrant to Japan who became, during the WWII period, one of the most influential members of the Korean community in Osaka (the leader of a fishing village), but who was a loathsome, violent human being that abused and alienated his family -- is one of the finest I've heard in modern motion pictures. I don't state this lightly--Iwashiro's plaintive, even haunting, music for that film could, as I see it, easily be performed on stages throughout the globe as a major classical concert work.

I like it a lot :)

I'm gonna look this one up.

cuckoo you need to look very far because it's a soundtrack from our "favorite" label..., but there's always a solution for everything ;-)

cuckoo you need to look very far because it's a soundtrack from our "favorite" label..., but there's always a solution for everything ;-)

No worries. ;)

I almost never use Shrine for looking for scores anyways.

blood and bones - taro iwashiro


nouvelle france - patrick doyle

WHO SAW JUST GO WITH IT I JUST SAW IT AND I LOVED IT!!!

Revisited an old friend today. Shirley Walker's La-la 2CD set for "Batman: The Animated Series".

It coincides with the 10 episode mini-marathon I had today, as I lay sick in bed.

If there's any way to appreciate being sick, it's with Batman and Shirley Walker.

:)


cuckoo you need to look very far because it's a soundtrack from our "favorite" label..., but there's always a solution for everything ;-)

All right. I admit defeat. :o My "search skills" turned up nothing.

If I may be so humble, I am ready to try out the "solution". :D

Cuckoo, i just sent to you a "medicine" ;-)


Rio - John Powell

it's...FUN!! :D

Just started the 'medicine'.

Thank you. :)

I like how the first track starts off very Eastern, then it gradually morphs into something very Western sounding with great delicacy and smoothness. So much, I hardly even noticed the transition until it was done.

This is good? Really? Hmm. I only had it to share with folks. But, I guess i will give it a listen....

Quite good. Just finished it.

If you like the heavy melodramatic tragedy and lush string arrangements, crossing over with some delicate Eastern instrumental performances and choir, then this is a great one to go to.

A lot of the arrangements and orchestrations remind me of James Horner and John Williams but that shouldn't come as a surprise considering he is their go to orchestrator.

It's got a wonderful operatic feel to it that really isn't heard that often in the modern day cinema anymore. Why Pope isn't offered more work is beyond me.

I love it and thank Sanico very much for opening my eyes to it. :)

le premier crie - armand amar

Rio - John Powell

it's...FUN!! :D

[/COLOR]I am gonna watch RiO soon and I will buy the soundtrack because John Powell is my favorite artist when it comes to soundtracks last year I bought Green Zone and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON I LOVED ALL BUT ONE SONG!

---------- Post added at 05:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:39 PM ----------


blood and bones - taro iwashiro



Never heard of Blood & Bones sounds bloody and gory and those things scare me but I always watch those kind of movies so wish me good luck not to have nightmares because I'll watch!

Never heard of Blood & Bones sounds bloody and gory and those things scare me but I always watch those kind of movies so wish me good luck not to have nightmares because I'll watch!

It's not necessarily scary. The title sounds like it could be a Stephen King movie but it's far from it.

It's well worth seeking out though. There is some mildly realistic domestic violence that is a little unsettling and it does run for a little long. Besides that, I'd watch it again.

Fringe Season 2 ... great music.

Never heard of Blood & Bones sounds bloody and gory and those things scare me but I always watch those kind of movies so wish me good luck not to have nightmares because I'll watch!

believe me, i understand that very well, i avoid scores like these. I do not like scary either. blood and bones, like cuckoo said, is not scary at all. it has a classical touch, all in all harmonic, sometimes a bit "heavy" but - for my ears - very beautiful.

It's not necessarily scary. The title sounds like it could be a Stephen King movie but it's far from it.

It's well worth seeking out though. There is some mildly realistic domestic violence that is a little unsettling and it does run for a little long. Besides that, I'd watch it again.

Is it bloody and gory? If so I do not want to see it.

cyril morin - un coeur simple

Gremlins 2 - Goldsmith

I enjoyed this score (and the movie too), a lot more than the first one.

3,5 out of 5 stars

Shanghai

I didn't watch the movie, but the score is pretty good!

Mononoke*

Takanashi Yasuharu

*Not the Joe Hisaishi / Ghibli one.

Hi yoco and welcome :D

Shanghai i think is by Badelt. I never heard this score but maybe i will give it a try.
I've heard some scores by Badelt and i must say that in general i'm not very fond on his music,but i like his score of The Promise, which is pretty damn good.

Happy Easter :)

I haven't listened to "Shanghai" yet either. It's on my HD though. I have to admit I am curious about this one.

Badelt is a real hit and miss for me. Like quite a few of the other MV/RC guys, he seems to pump out crap faster than Chicken McNuggets but when he and all the rest of those guys do come up with a good score it's usually really, really good.

Castle Under Fiery Skies (Katen no Shiro) - Taro Iwashiro

There are some similarities between this score and Kamui, that i've heard the other day. Not surprisingly, because they were created by Iwashiro and composed in the same year.
But while Kamui have 2 or 3 action tracks that alter the pace, this one the music is more sorrowful and contemplative.

Castle Under Fiery Skies (Katen no Shiro) - Taro Iwashiro

There are some similarities between this score and Kamui, that i've heard the other day. Not surprisingly, because they were created by Iwashiro and composed in the same year.
But while Kamui have 2 or 3 action tracks that alter the pace, this one the music is more sorrowful and contemplative.

great score :)

right now: james newton howard: water for elephants (I deleted some tracks though, for listening)

la ligne droite - Patrick Doyle (again)

Castle Under Fiery Skies (Katen no Shiro) - Taro Iwashiro


great score :)

Yup. :D

battlestar galactica - bear mccreary

Jason and the Argonauts - Bernard Herrmann

This is brilliant score not only in thematic ideas, but also in orchestration. The fact that Herrmann dismissed the strings section in favor of a big presence of the percurssions and woodwinds, gives the score a unique sound.
There's the heroic fanfare for the Argonauts, the gentle clarinet theme of Hera, the massive poundings of Talos and Medea's Ship (I guess if Herrmann compose a Godzilla movie, it would sound like this), the rhythmic jest of 'Scherzo Macabre', and much more.
That's the kind of fantasy/adventure score i like: exciting, big, colouful and with memorable themes.

5 out of 5 stars

Jason and the Argonauts - Bernard Herrmann

5 out of 5 stars

A compelling score indeed.

----

Can't really say the same for this one though:

Patrick Doyle's "THOR"

A colossal disappointment for me.

Considering it was a Patrick Doyle score for a movie dealing with a Norse Mythology inspired comic book, I was expecting something huge in the choir composition department and a highly organic orchestral score. After all Doyle was responsible for the near perfect "Non Nobis, Domine" from 'Henry V'.
"Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire" was precisely the sound I was hoping Doyle would continue, only more 'God' like. (How couldn't you like a soundtrack that has Doyle writing huge orchestral cues and Jarvis Cocker to boot?).

Instead, he gave us a 'RC/MV' score. Which not to say I don't like 'RC/MV' scores. Quite a few of them are fun if not highly inventive at times........they usually turn out to be really, really boring or incredibly entertaining guilty pleasures.
Sadly, "THOR" falls under the 'boring' category for me. I'm guessing a lot of this sound is due to studio interference, because I can't see Kenneth Branagh requesting something this boring and uninspired.

In the end, I feel "THOR" is a missed opportunity to pen something really fantastic.

You'd be better off listening to Brian Tyler's new "Fast Five" score for good action-writing for this week. That's a good score for guilty pleasure action.

THOR gets a disappointing 2 out of 5 from me.

(off-topic: Fast Five gets a 3.5 out of 5 from me)

Problem with Thor is that it's a Patrick Doyle score that doesn't sound a one.
Not the same composer that worked on Eragon or Goblet Of Fire, if we restrict only to other fantasy movies that he compose before, and instead it's a typical "RC/MV" style of score.
Not that this style is better or worse, and there's always people that love and others who hate it, but after listening the score all i feel is that Doyle could and "can" do better, instead of going to a more accessible formula.
Which leads me to ask, why the producers didn't opted to call Zimmer or one of the guys from RC, because i don't believe that Branagh who worked with Doyle in virtually all of his previous movies, would suddenly want a style that Doyle haven't done before.

I enjoy me some "RC/MV" type scoring in small doses. "Suite" form preferably. They seem to bring some original creative writing, instrumentation and orchestrations to the table but sadly never really develop over the course of the film. They come off as more or less cut and paste remixes, rather than developed themes as you get further into the score. I guess that's why I find them more enjoyable as a suite rather than a full album. Except for Zimmer's "Pirates" scores....those themes develop and pay off with flying colors for the climax of the third film.

As for 'THOR', I get the feeling Doyle's 'RC/MV" styled score had nothing to Branagh, rather it was studio interference. I tried listening to it again after my previous post and only got about 20 minutes in until I went back to 'Eragon'.

Thor.

It's....well typical of the recent Marvel films. Feels a lot like Ironman, and the others. I miss big bold superhero themes. But, I don't hate this either. I am listening to it for the second time around. Dunno, seems as if it is trying really hard to be all serious and epic, instead af ballsy and fun. Much like the films....


Sorei, which Galactica did you listen to? Which season?
?

Speaking of Bold Superhero Power anthems and Bear McCreary:

I know this terrible show tanked but I am praying McCreary's 'The Cape' score gets some sort of release. It was fantastic, good ol' fashioned thematic superhero composing.

Nothing

Haven't had time to play any score all day :(

Just finished listening to John Carpenter's "Halloween" score for the hundred millioneth time.. The original far superior album and not irksome more recent 20th Anniversary release.

I foolishly looked up a cue on youtube to use as an example for something and just had to listen to the rest, beginning to end.

Wonderfully creepy. :)

4 out of 5 for me.

Die Hard. and Young Sherlock Holmes, for the umptheenth time this year...:D

saving sarah cain - Mark McKenzie

Just finished listening to John Carpenter's "Halloween" score for the hundred millioneth time.. The original far superior album and not irksome more recent 20th Anniversary release.

I agree with you cuckoo. The original album is a much better experience. If i remember well the anniversary edition has the music with dialogue from the movie. Not the best way to listen a soundtrack i guess, unless it's briefly narrated by Morgan Freeman or Laurence Olivier like in War of the Wolds and Clash of the Titans ;-)

The Halloween score is a classic on its own genre. Simple, but effective in creating a creepy atmosphere.


Three Amigos - Elmer Bernstein

Half of the fun of the soundtrack is by the main song alone, and i always like when a composer creates instrumental versions of a song on some passages of the score. The Main Title is i think an homage for the western music genre, a style that Bernstein himself contributed to popularize. And there are also a few tracks with a mariachi-flavored music, that is a delight to listen.

3,5 out of 5

kaikyo - toshiyuki watanabe

[melodic, romantic, a bit sentimental, dreamy, so: I LOVE IT]

Fast and Furious - Fast Five

Best Score of the F&F Series :)

Fast and Furious - Fast Five

Best Score of the F&F Series :)

hm. never listened to one of those, maybe I should...


water horse: legend of the deep - james newton howard

review


About the Soundtrack: "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" is the type of opportunity that the fan base of James Newton Howard thrives on. It's a fantasy based film that provides the composer an opportunity to write music in the vein that he's best at. In addition, the soundtrack offers performances by Sinead O'Connor and The Chieftains, so obviously, there is a lot of talent associated with this score. And, if you haven't guessed by now, the music relies heavily on an Irish influence, as indicative by the artists brought in to contribute. At over 58 minutes of music, the length is above average and the additional music doesn't harm any of Howard's score material (it helps that it's all relatable fare). There isn't a commentary from the composer, who seems to be an enigma when it comes to speaking to his fans, but there is a note from the director about the music.

As far as availability, the soundtrack seems to be a rare find at commercial retailers but is easily available for order online at web sites like Amazon, Rhapsody, etc. Just thought that tip might help you in case you were going to a friendly neighborhood FYE and were expecting to see this title there.

What You Need to Know: The beauty of this score lies in its simplicity and color. To that end, I'll note that to really appreciate the music from "The Water Horse," you'll have to listen to it a couple of times. You see, the score isn't one that will initially impress you in the manner that other works from Howard's do. There aren't any signature themes that will stick with you nor is there any sense of mythic fantasy to delve into. Instead, there is a steady, consistent flow of music that is pleasant to engage in and its with this level of consistency that the score works.

While there isn't memorable main theme, there sure is a lot of melody here. The Irish ears, in this case, are not only smiling but must be overjoyed. Howard develops an Irish influence for the soundtrack of this film and it's truly a delight. Not since his brief "Building the Rails" track from "Wyatt Earp" has there been such distinct use of Irish melodies from Howard. Together with his traditional orchestral styling, the soundtrack springs to life with many colorful tracks. It's because of this that he can get away from not having a memorable signature theme.

The score bounces between Irish tones and a warming underscore as it builds to a big finish. The final set of score tracks on the album are action oriented and deliver a brand of excitement that makes for a big finale. For those who are seeking to hear Howard bounce back from the synth heavy, "Michael Clayton," then tracks 16 onward are for you. Preceding this sequence, however, there is also another noteworthy track on the album entitled, "The Dinner Party" that I think many of you will enjoy for its big band styled expressions. This cue is something different from the composer and its a lot of fun to listen to. The music of the track actually expresses a humorous tone that makes you think some goofy mishaps might be taking place over dinner! Again, the charm of tracks like this is where the score gains it success.
Final Grade: To me, I think James Newton Howard should always seek out projects like "The Water Horse." He pretty much nails it every time out of the gate when composing works for fantasy, adventure, or science fiction. It's in these genres where he flourishes and deep down I suspect he knows that. With this particular soundtrack, you won't be overwhelmed by it, but you will find that its simplicity and charm will win you over.
Grade: 8.5 / 10


I like the classical/celtic mix, warm, "quiet" , sort of "love at second sight".

The Towering Inferno - John Williams

its got a epic main titles

hm. never listened to one of those, maybe I should...


water horse: legend of the deep - james newton howard

review


About the Soundtrack: "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" is the type of opportunity that the fan base of James Newton Howard thrives on. It's a fantasy based film that provides the composer an opportunity to write music in the vein that he's best at. In addition, the soundtrack offers performances by Sinead O'Connor and The Chieftains, so obviously, there is a lot of talent associated with this score. And, if you haven't guessed by now, the music relies heavily on an Irish influence, as indicative by the artists brought in to contribute. At over 58 minutes of music, the length is above average and the additional music doesn't harm any of Howard's score material (it helps that it's all relatable fare). There isn't a commentary from the composer, who seems to be an enigma when it comes to speaking to his fans, but there is a note from the director about the music.

As far as availability, the soundtrack seems to be a rare find at commercial retailers but is easily available for order online at web sites like Amazon, Rhapsody, etc. Just thought that tip might help you in case you were going to a friendly neighborhood FYE and were expecting to see this title there.

What You Need to Know: The beauty of this score lies in its simplicity and color. To that end, I'll note that to really appreciate the music from "The Water Horse," you'll have to listen to it a couple of times. You see, the score isn't one that will initially impress you in the manner that other works from Howard's do. There aren't any signature themes that will stick with you nor is there any sense of mythic fantasy to delve into. Instead, there is a steady, consistent flow of music that is pleasant to engage in and its with this level of consistency that the score works.

While there isn't memorable main theme, there sure is a lot of melody here. The Irish ears, in this case, are not only smiling but must be overjoyed. Howard develops an Irish influence for the soundtrack of this film and it's truly a delight. Not since his brief "Building the Rails" track from "Wyatt Earp" has there been such distinct use of Irish melodies from Howard. Together with his traditional orchestral styling, the soundtrack springs to life with many colorful tracks. It's because of this that he can get away from not having a memorable signature theme.

The score bounces between Irish tones and a warming underscore as it builds to a big finish. The final set of score tracks on the album are action oriented and deliver a brand of excitement that makes for a big finale. For those who are seeking to hear Howard bounce back from the synth heavy, "Michael Clayton," then tracks 16 onward are for you. Preceding this sequence, however, there is also another noteworthy track on the album entitled, "The Dinner Party" that I think many of you will enjoy for its big band styled expressions. This cue is something different from the composer and its a lot of fun to listen to. The music of the track actually expresses a humorous tone that makes you think some goofy mishaps might be taking place over dinner! Again, the charm of tracks like this is where the score gains it success.
Final Grade: To me, I think James Newton Howard should always seek out projects like "The Water Horse." He pretty much nails it every time out of the gate when composing works for fantasy, adventure, or science fiction. It's in these genres where he flourishes and deep down I suspect he knows that. With this particular soundtrack, you won't be overwhelmed by it, but you will find that its simplicity and charm will win you over.
Grade: 8.5 / 10


I like the classical/celtic mix, warm, "quiet" , sort of "love at second sight".

Waterhorse is good? I had it, and never listened, so deleted. Care to send a link?

---------- Post added at 03:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:46 PM ----------

Gremlins expanded...

Waterhorse is good? I had it, and never listened, so deleted. Care to send a link?


done, I do like it a lot..

worked my way further, now listening to

Hart's War - Rachel Portman

I am Portman Fan, but I still have some of her I never listened to, and damn, Hart's War is good too...

Heard today Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2 (Yoko Kanno & VA), and now listening Dune from the David Lynch movie :o

and now listening Dune from the David Lynch movie :o

still one of my favorites, both movie and score.... :)

one true thing - cliff eidelman

Call of Duty - Modern Warafre 2 (Edit) - Hans Zimmer & Lorne Balfe

August - Anthony Hopkins

(First Listen)
I'm pleasantly surprised because i didn't knew Anthony Hopkins could write music. It's an elegant soundtrack and there are some beautiful dramatic pieces on piano.

bee season - peter nashel

Think i will play only asian soundtracks this week, and so today i started with a Scene at the Sea by Hisaishi.

Listened to Michael Giacchino's newly remastered "Medal Of Honor: Frontline" (Thanks, babydoll :))....probably favorite of his work on the series. It's darker and certainly a lot more mournful than his first two MOH efforts.

The cue "After The Drop" is absolutely gorgeous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UulotInd94

& this one just gets me all giddy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq3eRXmboC4

Not that I minded Giacchino writing in complete John Williams style for the first two games but this is the one he really steps into his own.

4.5 out of 5 for me. :)

------

Big post is BIG


Three Amigos - Elmer Bernstein

Half of the fun of the soundtrack is by the main song alone, and i always like when a composer creates instrumental versions of a song on some passages of the score. The Main Title is i think an homage for the western music genre, a style that Bernstein himself contributed to popularize. And there are also a few tracks with a mariachi-flavored music, that is a delight to listen.

3,5 out of 5

I never even thought of listening to that score and I am ashamed that it kept slipping my mind.

Bernstein's 'western' scores are some of his best work. He and Morricone are the best western composers i my humble opinion. I wish they made more westerns today because Beltrami's 'western' scores are fantastic too.

Will seek out "three amigos" immediately.




hm. never listened to one of those, maybe I should...


water horse: legend of the deep - james newton howard

review

I like the classical/celtic mix, warm, "quiet" , sort of "love at second sight".

It's wonderful score.

I agree JNH is at his best when he's doing something fantastical with a fairytale like nature to it.

James Newton Howard is one of my top 5 composers and I love me some Celtic music, so this one is a no brainer for my tastes.

Nice little review too. :)

You hit the nail on the head.


August - Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins directed 'August' too.

He also wrote/directed/starred/scored 'SlipStream'.

A weird movie that is like David Lynch directed "The Singing Detective".

If don't like how that sounds then run. Run fast.

If you do, then I can tell you it's not fantastic but certainly entertaining enough for weirdos, crazies and art freaks.

---------------

In other news:

My prayers were answered in just a few days:

Bear McCreary recently announced on facebook that he's "Listening to the final mixes of THE CAPE soundtrack before we go to mastering. Wow! This CD will be epic! Like "Human Target" on steroids."

I am excite.

YouTube - The Cape intro NBC (HD) (http://youtu.be/qHtxQE38YZ4)

YouTube - "NEW" THE CAPE: "COMPOSING THE CAPE" (http://youtu.be/LRMynYozFt4)

Now listening House of Flying Daggers by Umebayashi, and i think this score captured well the mood of the movie.
The love theme is the central theme of the score, and is one of great beauty and sadness. Whether it is played only by the instruments or interpreted either in the original Mandarin or in English by a soprano, as if Umebayashi wanted to offer us a musical fusion throughout his music, like if Asian and Western cultures blending to remind the universal aspect of this story of love - and love in general.

4,5 out of 5 stars

oceans - bruno coulais

I don't think I will become a big fan of his, up to now I just like 2 scores: oceans and secret of kells...

I really liked Oceans.....The Secret Of Kells is good too.

I really liked Les Choristes....but I'm a sucker for choir, so this was a special little treat.

The only other one I've heard him do was Coraline and I really didn't like it but I really didn't like the movie either.

--------

Listened to some of Fenton's Blue Planet today.
Not great music or anything but for the mood I needed to get myself in this was perfect.

I started listening into Craig Armstrong and I am surprised.

(in a good way)

- The incredible Hulk
- The Quiet American
- Elizabeth: The golden Age

copied all of them on my player :D


@cuckoo: choir can be wonderful, just did not like the choristes-choir...and did not like coraline either.

Great thread :)

Inception by Hans Zimmer...for the first time (yes, I am lame)
Good stuff. Not his best but very entertaining. I liked the "Mombasa" track and the loud droning in some of the tracks. Gave me nice flashbacks of the movie.

The Informers by Christopher Young
Great acoustic rock score. Thankfully not 80s style (the film is set in the 80s).

Great thread :)

Inception by Hans Zimmer...for the first time (yes, I am lame)
Good stuff. Not his best but very entertaining. I liked the "Mombasa" track and the loud droning in some of the tracks. Gave me nice flashbacks of the movie.
.

I agree, not his best, but I like it too!


Ji Bark - Bi-Mong
(deleted the songs, I like the score)

What i heard:

Godzilla x Megaguirus - Michiru Oshima
Think that Oshima could teach a thing or two to many composers working today, on writing a bold action score, which for a Godzilla movie is an obligation :zillawalk:


The Banquet - Tan Dun
The third score composed by Tan Dun in the wuxia genre of movies. Coincidence or not it's also the third time he worked in a movie that enter Zhang Ziyi (Maybe he has something with her :love:)
Curious is the role the piano has in this score, in the same way the cello and violin solos had in the two previous works before this.
'In the Bamboo Forest' is an intense dissonat piece played on piano and accompanied by a male choir and some Chinese percussion instruments, and it's awesome.



Listened to some of Fenton's Blue Planet today.
Not great music or anything but for the mood I needed to get myself in this was perfect.

I listened only one Fenton score. It was Anna and the King, and i liked of what i remember of the music. I think i need to listening more of Fenton, in particular his music composed for the TV documentaries, like the Blue Planet. I have read a lot of praise for those scores :)


Hi and welcome boogiepop :o

Welcome to the thread, boogiepop! :)

-------


Whatever happened to Tan Dun anyways? If I'm not mistaken 'The Banquet' was his last project and that came out 5 or 6 years ago, did it not?


----

Big Fish - Danny Elfman

A small, pleasant subtle score that has a theme I never tire of.

4 out of 5

Whatever happened to Tan Dun anyways? If I'm not mistaken 'The Banquet' was his last project and that came out 5 or 6 years ago, did it not?



Yes, the last movie he was in was the live action version of Mulan, but he served only as a "music advisor" of the score (according the CD release note), but he didn't compose anything for any movie since "The Banquet" a few years ago.
The last thing i've heard from him was the youtube symphony.

earthsea - jeff rona

reminds me of mists of avalon, but even if it is not really "creative" maybe I still like it :)


(I have to read the book too)

Not exactly a soundtrack, but i'm listening Unplugged Ghibli. I always like to hear different versions of a score, especially when you know in detail the original work.
This one the music is mostly performed on cello and sometimes punctuated with piano and strings or an acoustic guitar. Think of chamber music and you have an idea on how this album sounds like. It's a very nice listen.

Welcome to the thread, boogiepop! :)

Thank you :D

The last 2:

Ink by Jamie Winans
I really liked it. At times somber, at times exciting mix of mostly piano driven pieces with electronic elements. Suffers a bit from low rate synths at times but overall a nice debut score. Gimme more, Jamie :D

Intelligence by Schaun Tozer
Score to a Canadian TV series. While US American TV scores mostly refuse to be creative the Canadians bring it.
A wild mix of Rock, Hip Hop/Trip Hop, a bit of Funk, some Reggae and what not. At times the sitar is used (even sounds like an E-Sitar) which gives some of the tracks an unexpected Indian flavour. Good stuff!

Thank you :D

The last 2:

Ink by Jamie Winans
I really liked it. At times somber, at times exciting mix of mostly piano driven pieces with electronic elements. Suffers a bit from low rate synths at times but overall a nice debut score. Gimme more, Jamie :D



oops, I replied to you but did not welcome you ;)

(welcome! :D )

I like Ink a lot too, reminds me of Navarrete a bit. Doc Faustus pointed me to it, but he was second to do that, a greek friend did first...


listening to some Paolo Vivaldi now (ghost son)

Yay, more love for Ink. :D

For me:

Lady Vengeance
Choi Seung-hyun

david copperfield - paolo vivaldi


[I tried to get some info on the composer, an italian, all I get is ONE lousy sentence, no profile with some background info anywhere?]

Ink by Jamie Winans
Intelligence by Schaun Tozer


Nice.

INK & Intelligence.

There's a seat at my table for you anytime.

listening to the samples of transformer prime / tyler....

If you're interested, I've been listening to Brian Tyler 'Lego Universe' for the past half hour.

Tyler put some samples to his highly anticipated "Lego Universe" project up on his site.

I quite like it.

http://briantyler.com/Site/Lego_Universe.html

If you're interested, I've been listening to Brian Tyler 'Lego Universe' for the past half hour.

Tyler put some samples to his highly anticipated "Lego Universe" project up on his site.

I quite like it.

Lego Universe (http://briantyler.com/Site/Lego_Universe.html)

Lego Universe is much different.
I hardly like everything Tyler does, but I loved Transformers 1 (I do not care whether it was good from a technical point of view) and I loved children of dune and Battle: LA

Lego is much more orchestral, I would not have identified it as a Tyler if i had not known.

I will have to listen to that one more than one time to get familiar with it. :)

thx, cuckoo
:)


there is a thread here in the forum as well, with a 50 track link....

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I start to like Lego...

interssting mix of what for me is a classic way of orchestral and i do detect tyler now too....

Nice.

INK & Intelligence.

There's a seat at my table for you anytime.

Thanks again :D I never thought anybody even knows Intelligence (no pun intended XD )

Into the Wild by Michael Brook & Eddie Vedder
I didn't care much for Vedder's songs (don't like his voice) but I always love Michael Brook's guitar-driven scores.
And he doesn't disappoint. Nice relaxing music to drive to or to listen to while you sit around a campfire.

Iron Man 2 by John Debney
I'm not a Debney fan and I'm part of the minority that totally liked Djawadi's score for the first one.
I'm pretty surpised this one turned out so decent. Debney has always been a copyist and here he adapts Djawadi's
style to a T. His orchestral arrangements might be a bit better though.
Nice suprise.

Naqoyqatsi by Philip Glass with Yo-Yo Ma

Perhaps the more accessible of the three qatsi soundtracks, since it features a larger symphonic ensemble with a special emphasis on the cello, played by Yo-Yo Ma.

4 out of 5 stars

It's All About Love by Zbigniew Preisner

This is a score that totally took me by surprise. It's romantic and emotional but still reserved.
He obviously had a strong vision for the sound and dared to go against expectations.
I can't say I wholeheartedly love this score but it's an impressive piece of work.
Definitely a composer to keep an eye (or ear) on.

Thanks again :D I never thought anybody even knows Intelligence (no pun intended XD )

I live in Vancouver.

I'm very familar with 'Intelligence' and Chris Haddock's other shows. Davinci's Inquest & City Hall.

It's always a pleasant surprise to see most of Haddock's acting crew show up on Smallville, BSG or Supernatural.

I live in Vancouver.

I'm very familar with 'Intelligence' and Chris Haddock's other shows. Davinci's Inquest & City Hall.

It's always a pleasant surprise to see most of Haddock's acting crew show up on Smallville, BSG or Supernatural.

i have an album for DaVincie's inquest. If you want. I love that show, airs on the weekend at like one in the morning here. Never have seen City Hall though....

Yeah, I've seen it on NBC, I think, on Saturday nights.

Such a great show.

Sure, I wouldn't mind giving the OST a listen. If not for the theme only. I don't actually recall a lot of the music.

Thank you. :)

Seems it was a lot of jazzy bluesy feeling.

Here it is @ 320:
MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2JVIUDF7)


I have always loved the acting and direction on the show. Very naturalistic.

Thank you. :) Much appreciated.

Yeah. Not just because I'm from Vancouver but I feel it's one of the most realistic crime dramas ever produced.

They rarely pulled out their guns and when a cop did shoot someone it was quite traumatic for him.

I just loved the sight of two curmodgeony old guys, standing on a misty street corner, all out arguing over who is right about a particular case. It always felt almost ad-libbed, and not scripted. And often, the case would take forever to get solved. Just....matter of fact way of filming....

still on michael brook:

david copperfield

boogiepop recommended the guy to me, lots of quiet guitar music.

Pan Tadeusz - Kilar

Absolutely gorgeous score. The first track 'Invocation' is sublime, and the main romantic theme in 'Temple to Meditate' and 'Tadeusz and Telimena' with its lush strings sounds like something that John Barry might have written! In addition to all this there are the action cues on 'Tomasz, Rifle' and 'The Battle' with a jumpy repetitive rhythm, and a wonderful waltzy like piece in 'Polonaise'.

4,5 out of 5

The Fountain

Clint Mansell

buffalo girls & gunfighters moon - Lee Holdridge

portrait of a lady - kilar

[I admit I like that one better than Pan Tadeusz]

Incognito - John Ottman

I never give this guy the recognition he deserves. He's composed quite a few quality scores that somehow I constantly forget to listen to. Sure he's got a few stinkers but what composer doesn't?
Incognito is one of the most interesting scores I've heard in instrumentation and texture. A playfully whimsical score that bounces around a vast array of stirring waltz like rhythms and solo instruments. The sound quality is astounding and almost tickles your ears with some of more delicate moments.

A very strong 4 out of 5


The Fountain

Clint Mansell

Today is the perfect day for 'The Fountain' here with the dreary weather we're having.

portrait of a lady - kilar

[I admit I like that one better than Pan Tadeusz]

At his best Kilar can be fantastic and i have read good things about Portrait of a Lady. It will be on my playlist soon ^_^

At his best Kilar can be fantastic and i have read good things about Portrait of a Lady. It will be on my playlist soon ^_^

I had listened to Pan Tadeusz first, did not know either of the two.

I fll instantly in love with "portrait of a lady".

6 out of 5 stars :D

very classically oriented (Schubert), dramatic moments,violin too, yet harmonic.

I am curious to hear if you will like it too!


review:

(found in the net)

Original Review: How can such a god awful film have such beautiful music? Despite being written for probably the most terminally boring movie in history - this is the only film I have ever walked out of - Polish composer Wojciech Kilar has written a sad, yearning, heartfelt, tragic but surprisingly elegant score for piano, strings and woodwind which at least made the film bearable in parts. Kilar only writes for Hollywood movies rarely, his most famous being the music he composed for Coppola's 1992 classic Bram Stoker's Dracula, but when he does it really makes you wish that he did it more often. The main title, 'My Life Before Me' reminds me very much of Michael Nyman's The Piano, with its repetitive flute melody over a rhythmic piano backing, and the main title, 'The Portrait of a Lady' again has that thick, rich and potent east-European sound that was prominent in Dracula, making his multi-layered Barry-esque strings conjure up images of darkened rooms filled with feelings of unrequited love. Kilar also obviously has a liking for the music of Franz Schubert, because yet again he has adapted the classic Death and the Maiden to great effect - he undertook this previously in Roman Polanski's film of the same name. These three themes essentially form the backbone for the entire score, but Kilar supports these with some gorgeous one-off themes, like the slow and tragic cello performance in ''Twilight Cellos', and the more upbeat and conventionally beautiful 'A Certain Light', which reminds me in parts of Chris Young's Murder in the First. Overall, this is a classically divine piece of film scoring by one of the most overlooked composers working today. It's just a shame that the movie didn't match up to the quality of the music.

Jarhead by Thomas Newman

I may am a bit biased but Thomas Newman really can't do wrong in my book (well, save for American Buffalo).
All his beloved trademarks are there but he adds a bit of Rock this time, giving the score an edgier, rougher feel.
He also uses surprisingly little ethnic stuff considering the setting.
I like :)

FairyTale - Zbigniew Preisner


secret garden- Zbigniew Preisner

...I definetly like secret garden, and the first 4 tracks (that's all I have heard so far) of FairyTale....

The Portrait of a Lady - Kilar

Another great work by Kilar. It is beautiful, lyrical but simultaneously distressing and full of romanticism, so in that aspect the tone is a bit different than Pan Tadeusz. The strings section of 'The Portrait of a Lady' has an hypnotic effect! 'Phantasms of Love' reminds me some parts of Kilar's Dracula, but for me the best theme is that flute solo heard in the Prologue and End Credits. I wished this melody was used more on the score.
But i like the soundtrack because Kilar is showing here a great restraint combined with a strong sense of lyricism and romanticism in a very classic way.

4 stars

The Tempest by Elliot Goldenthal

This is a tough one to judge. It's a modern, rock-oriented score but also very atonal at times which makes it quite hard to digest.
There are several songs that are not really melodic but try to evoke certain emotions.
It's really dark and gloomy and not exactly a pleasant listening experience.
It's a very interesting piece of work but I can't say I like it very much.
Not recommended if you tend to be depressed.

edward shearmur - k-pax


not as good as mother & child, but very enjoyable. mother & child gets a 5 out of 5, k-pax a 4 out of 5.

Finally gave a listen to the much talked about score "Copernicus’ Star" by Abel Korzeniowski.

I gotta say it was not the least bit disappointed. It's a fun and delightfully orchestrated score that just a real pleaser.

Highly recommended.

4 out of 5.


The Tempest by Elliot Goldenthal


I haven't heard it yet. I really, really liked everything he composed before his accident.

I've only heard "Public Enemies" since his accident and gotta say I was really disappointed.

Will seek this one out. I'm all for gloom and doom and Goldenthal's "discordant" style.

Oh, we're back? Ok. :) I listened to both Smallville, ans the X-Files box set through the break. In love with The X-Files. Some of my most fondly remberd pieces are on it.....

Listened to Bram Stoker's Dracula. I kinda dig the action theme for the vampire Hunters...but that's about it. The rest really didn't do much for me. Not horrid, but not something I'd keep to listen to again and again. Hmmm, may keep those action cues though....Very Holst-y indeed. The first time I heard Mars, as a girl was in the trailers for Greystoke, when it was first being released. Yes, I know, I am old. But, I hunted that music down. As a girl, I had been disappointed to learn that music was not really in the movie, and that it was not a score piece, but classical music. That is what got me into a lot of the classical stuff, hunting that down. On vinyl. From the library....

I ordered 'The X-files' and am waiting for it to arrive. I'm hoping Monday but will probably be Wednesday.

I'm happy to finally have "Scully's Serenade" on disc. Among various other cues.

"How The Ghosts Stole Christmas" and "The Field Where I Died" episodes being essential ones for me.

I recall seeing "The Field" when it first and being choked up before the main titles even started. Wonderful episode.

Been listening to "Millennium" to hold be over until then. Good ol' Frank Black.


.........

....I used to love getting vinyl from the library. Star Wars and Ghostbusters being the ones I most fondly remember.

... "The Field Where I Died" episodes being essential ones for me.

I recall seeing "The Field" when it first and being choked up before the main titles even started. Wonderful episode.



THE x-files episode for me. I remember being absolutely stunned when I saw it. still have it on tape someplace and never deleted it.

Thor by Patrick Doyle

Doyle in Zimmer-mode. One of the highly anticipated scores of the year by many and a big disappointment for most.
I kinda liked it. It's not the Doyle we are all used to but a more Remote Control-y. The action cues are generally good
but his use of electronics is kinda clumsy. His inexperience shows.
I would have liked the real deal (meaning the actual Hans Zimmer) instead but it's an enjoyable score, just not
an outstanding one.

:/ On Stanger Tides...unfortunately. I even powered through the re-mixes. :O Ugh. TOTAL waste of time .

---------- Post added at 09:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 PM ----------

The only disappointment in the X-Files set for me was no music from Soft Light. All we have is the one track on Truth and light, which has dialogue over the beginning and end..ah well, here's looking forward to vol 2.

I haven't heard 'On Stranger Tides' yet. I was waiting for a 320 rip or the CD. Judging by the feedback so far, I'm to going to save my money and go with the 320 rip.

A shame. "At World's End" is one of my favorite scores.

-------------

"Soft Light".

Is the one with Monk in it and the mysterious scorch marks?

I don't recall the music. Will go back and check.

Just finished a run of "Angel" last night. "The X-files" is very tempting to go back to now.

I picked up the whole series for uber-cheap and haven't really watched any set all the way through yet. JUst picked out certain episodes here and there.

Yea. Soft Light is the one where the guy's shadow vaporated folks. On Truth and the Light, it is the track Mitis Lumen...

Sylvia - Gabriel Yared


I do love "Possession" and "Amelia" by him but was a bit hesitant to listen to others, listening now, and I do not regret it :)

Now: Dead Rising I Score...great!

Knight and Day by John Powell

I have to confess I'm not a fan of Powell's animation film scores. Not my type of music.
BUT I love his action scores. He has always been an action man to me and it's the genre he excells at. Knight and Day is no exception.
It starts a bit weak but after the first 3 tracks Powell is back on track and delivers a high octane score that hardly ever slows down. There is a strong semi-spanish theme to it heard several times throughout the score that I really liked but my highlight are the 3 more guitar driven tracks 5-7 with "Hostage" being my favourite.
It's no masterpiece and surely not his best work to date but it's a highly enjoyable score.
Recommended.

Coincidentally, I listened to Powell's 'Rat Race' last night. A goofy, little score that's incredibly energetic, flavored with some chorus work that all sounds like it was picked out of the Elfman or Raymond Scott book of composing.

In a few short words, it's good wacky fun that could probably be a little too much for some people.

3.5 out of 5.

-------

I quite like both Powell's animated and action scores.

'Hostage' was one of my favorite single cues from last year.

Excellent, excellent stuff.

Powell knows action percussive writing so well. Green Zone is an abrasive score which makes it hard to listen to for many but the percussive writing is fantastic. 'Attack & Chase' being another single cue favorite from last year.

He's easily fought his way to one of my favorite composers over the past 2 years.

Finally getting around the the Pirates scores, namely 2 and 3. I have had the original as disc since it was released, but never quite got around to the others..

I don't think I've listened to the original all the way through more than 3 times. The poor recording turned me off. The the sound distorts at some of the really loud parts and that just can't go ignored for me. Damn you, Disney and your poor score presentations.

The next two are fantastic though. If you can, it's highly recommended you seek out the suites on the 'treasures collection'. "Marry Me" and "The Pirate Lord of Singapore" are breathtaking.

I find the "What Shall We Die For" and "I Don't Think Now Is the Best Time " at the end of 'At World's End' played back to back, is one of the best finales ever composed. The way it has all the themes heard throughout the series wrapped into one long, action cue. Brilliant. Gets my heart jumping everytime.

I have the Treasures suites, and thanks to Bishity, also the additional scores bits for Dead Man and World's end...I have always loved the Pirates theme, just never sat through them. I was not overly impressed with Stranger Tides, but thought maybe if i put it into perspective, it might help.

---------- Post added at 10:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 AM ----------

Since they are Disney, does that make it all the more unlikely Intrada or FSM will ever get hold of them?

Since they are Disney, does that make it all the more unlikely Intrada or FSM will ever get hold of them?

Damn. I never thought of that. :(

The possibility of proper expanded treatments isn't good.

Now listening: Pirates of the Caribbean - On Stranger Tides (FLAC)

Now listening: Pirates of the Caribbean - On Stranger Tides (FLAC)

I'll gove the pirates a chance soon too ...

right now:

crazybeautiful - Haslinger [4/5]

(recommandation for me by boogiepop, quiet, melodic, I like it, but he already said it is no typical haslinger...)

Just gave "Pirates: On Stranger Tides" a first listen.

Judging by the negative reactions it's been getting, I was expecting it to be complete trash.

I should have taken into account that Zimmer fanboys are well known to be a melodramatic bunch and would treat their reactions accordingly.

But onto the POTC4 (ignoring the remixes and bad album presentation all together). I enjoyed it enough. It didn't come anywhere near as good as 2 or 3 but I found it to be better than the first score. I was under the impression the fourth movie (take note of 'fourth, Doc) was going to be drastically scaled down so I thought the score would be too. And it was, in such a great way too.

Zimmer and his army of co-composers brought in the acoustic guitar duo, Rodrigo y Gabriela to co-compose and perform on a few tracks. It's quite effective and great fun. I even noodled along with these tracks myself on my guitar while listening. They impressed me a few years ago with a interesting cover of 'Oogie Boogie's Song' from a Nightmare Before X-mas so I was interested to hear more from them.

It did however lack on any new thematic material worthy of noting and the all ready established themes weren't any further developed.

The new themes are easily forgettable and just sort of float away on driftwood after they're done with.

In the end, I found it to be enjoyable enough and the re-imagining of previous themes on dueling classical guitars is a blast but it falls short of anything refreshing.


A very strong 2.5 out of 5

the tree - gregoire hetzel

I like the score. (the songs I deleted)
for my ears, lots of strings, some guitar, a quiet and melodic, sometimes sad score.

4/5

Bruc - Xavier Cappelas (again)
some dark, moody, orchestral elements, some ection elements, even a BIT choral...

4/5

Pirates 4 - Hans ''Long John'' Zimmer & Comp.

Save for 2 or 3 of the guitar tracks, and 'Angelica' is quite good in this aspect, the rest is Zimmer in auto-pilot mode, filling out the not so lengthy time of score in album with the same themes without any attempt of thematic development.

1,5 out of 5

L'Immortel (aka 22 Bullets) by Klaus Badelt

First of all, a solid portion of the running time is taken up by opera arias. Since that's not my thing I totally skipped those. You're left with 30+ minutes of score then.
It's basically Badelt on auto-pilot. Orchestra with electronics, driving strings (a la The Dark Knight) included. It's a solid thriller/action score but it completely vanishes from your mind the second the last track is finished.

I'll gove the pirates a chance soon too ...

right now:

crazybeautiful - Haslinger [4/5]

(recommandation for me by boogiepop, quiet, melodic, I like it, but he already said it is no typical haslinger...)

On Stranger Tides is a nice Score sorei, not so good like the first one but good :)

Now listening: Gone in 60 Seconds

The Thin Red Line - Zimmer

One of my favorites from Z.
It's not an easy listening soundtrack with catchy themes a la Pirates, but it's a dense score with music that reflects the anguish of war in a mystic and contemplative way, as saying that there are no heroes in a conflict. 'Journey to the Line' is of course the highlight of the soundtrack, and is now a classic, because express in one track, through the sweet to the tragic and culminating in a sense of spiritual liberation like an elegy. Outsanding.



Knight and Day by John Powell

I have to confess I'm not a fan of Powell's animation film scores. Not my type of music.
BUT I love his action scores

I on the contrary enjoy a lot more of Powell's animation scores rather than his action stuff :)

The Longest Yard 2005 by Teddy Castellucci

Top Gun - Harold Faltenmeyer ... classical Score

There is precious little score for that. Do you have a rip with fx, or something else (that NEEDS sharing..:) )

As for me, gave the Deluxe Total Recall a first complete listen yesterday, and quite enjoyed it.

There is precious little score for that. Do you have a rip with fx, or something else (that NEEDS sharing..:) )

As for me, gave the Deluxe Total Recall a first complete listen yesterday, and quite enjoyed it.

I have a Score and a little normal Tracks from the Top Gun Score...i load it up today :)

Now uploaded :) For Info :)

charlotte gray - stephen warbeck

Review:

CHARLOTTE GRAY: SOUNDTRACK



Review by Brad Green:
A mixed reputation precedes this WWII drama’s release in Australia. However, while the film as a whole has divided opinion, the Australian contingent of Cate Blanchett as the protagonist parachuting into Vichy France to track down her lover, and Gillian Armstrong as director, have won nothing but glowing reports. I guess we’ll have to wait for Cate and Co. to land in Australia, but with the soundtrack having already dropped onto my desk, I can only assume that for those unimpressed by the cinematic experience, the screenplay must fail on all fronts. Stephen Warbeck’s score is certainly up to his towering standard, and you would have to think that successful star turn, successful directing and successful soundtrack would be a pretty solid foundation.

Anyway, to focus on the music, this is a more conservative offering from Warbeck than his Quills or Captain Corelli’s Mandolin scores of the past couple of years, both of which inspired veritable encomiums from the demanding critic currently typing this review. It has none of the innovation of Quills (hardly to be expected of a war romance) and little of the orchestral density of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, yet is a fine achievement in its own right.

It opens with a staccato pulse – a little like a Michael Nyman figure converted to a ternary time signature – that is soon overlaid with an achingly romantic theme. This is played by violin soloist Dermot Grehan, who infuses the melodic contour with lilting grace notes and vibrato redolent of sweet-reeded bagpipes (Blanchett’s heroine being a Scottish lass). From this seductive beginning a restrained score flows, crossing the ambient, mood-defining territory that, when detached from moving pictures, sometimes restricts a soundtrack’s entertainment value. In this case, however, it remains eminently listenable through sheer craftsmanship in both composition and performance.

Lush strings are the bedding of a modest ensemble, which substitutes the might of symphonic arrangements with the delicacy of intimate tonalities. Guitar arpeggios underline long legato woodwind lines, and occasionally expand into gentle scales of their own, while the clean, bright timbre of Eleanor Alberga’s (often scarcely accompanied) piano is simply rapturous – neither too sharp or woollen, and performed with gentle authority.

The score’s understated romanticism is particularly appealing, leaning more to the reflective and poignant than the suspenseful or sentimental. The atmosphere thickens at every cue, and touches of drama do periodically emerge, such as the combined timpani and snare rolls of the track entitled The Gendarmes.

Although his Captain Corelli’s Mandolin soundtrack provides easier melodic pickings, Warbeck has crafted a superbly refined score here. Nor does it lack for entertainment value; it is simply a subtler joy for a different mood.

Published May 30, 2002

As for me, gave the Deluxe Total Recall a first complete listen yesterday, and quite enjoyed it.

Great choice! Total Recall is one heck of a score!
Goldsmith managed to orchestrate electronic synthesisers elements juxtaposed with the boldness bravura of the London National Philharmonic Orchestra, on that may well be Jerry's quintessential action score. 'Clever Girl', 'The Big Jump' and especially 'End of a Dream', are literally insane music pieces on its sheer energy, potent bursts of brass and fast rhythmic strings.
Contrasting to the action music, i like the tracks in which the synths plays a key role. They kind of evoke a surreal awe-inspiring otherworldly sound. 'The Mutant' for example never fails to amaze me everytime i listen, as well 'The Mountain' and 'The Space Station'.
And of course the beautiful final track 'A New Life', which ends the album in a sweet and expressive orchestral grandeur.

It deservs 5 stars in my book :D

Now: A Knight`s Tale

:) Finally got a chance to listen to that new Batman Begins set. Now, not the greatest score in the universe..EVER, as some fans would say. But I really liked it. And most of what I liked was missing from the OST releases. Such a shame. The thing holds together nicely, when given a decent presentation.

Now: The Saint and The Saint Expanded ... classic ... :)