Popular Post KK 3,307 Posted July 20, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted July 20, 2017 This is really good stuff. I mean yes, the album is poorly put together, and the score is kind of scatterbrained, though it makes sense with the ADHD film it's attached to. But how awesome is it that we have guys like Desplat still delivering this level of hybrid writing for a commercial blockbuster? I certainly can't think of any other films of this kind boasting quality like this. I'm sure this will be more rewarding with multiple listens. Bilbo, Chewy, John and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 I am not necessarily a fan of the ultrabusy Post-Bourne action stuffing (it's inevitable, though) but taken with the other elements i fail to see the 'harsh' verdicts. What did people expect? It's not like Desplat betrayed his own code of ethics here, and there are some cool sequences throughout. It ain't gonna get much better than this (for gravitas-free eye candy, anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 15 minutes ago, KK said: This is really good stuff. I mean yes, the album is poorly put together, and the score is kind of scatterbrained, though it makes sense with the ADHD film it's attached to. But how awesome is it that we have guys like Desplat still delivering this level of hybrid writing for a commercial blockbuster? I certainly can't think of any other films of this kind boasting quality like this. I'm sure this will be more rewarding with multiple listens. The textures/orchestrations are a pleasure to listen to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 1 minute ago, publicist said: I am not necessarily a fan of the ultrabusy Post-Bourne action stuffing (it's inevitable, though) but taken with the other elements i fail to see the 'harsh' verdicts. What did people expect? It's not like Desplat betrayed his own code of ethics here, and there are some cool sequences throughout. It ain't gonna get much better than this (for gravitas-free eye candy, nyway). Right. Fat chance that a movie like this was going to get your traditional SW-style score. Giacchino et. al would have been asked to deliver something stylistically similar anyway, albeit in a more neutered fashion. Desplat just happens to do this kind of sound leagues ahead of his colleagues, save for maybe Powell. It would have been nice to have heard a more unified musical identity to the whole affair, but like you said, this really is the best we could have hoped for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Maybe, just maybe, it helps to listen to this over headphones. I had on while biking today and it's has a lot of blink and you will miss them-subtleties going on. Definitely not for shitty pc speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Definitely. There are a lot of subtle textures all throughout the score. The craft here is pretty impressive. Brónach 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheUlyssesian 2,478 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Does this score reveal why he was fired from Rogue One? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Yes, I believe the quality, craft, and individuality of this score explains that perfectly. Bilbo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 20, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted July 20, 2017 1 minute ago, TheUlyssesian said: Does this score reveal why he was fired from Rogue One? Yes if you play the opening track backwards you can hear "Kathleen Kennedy fucked me over" multiple times. Will, Naïve Old Fart, Bilbo and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Yes, I believe the lack of a clear thematic tapestry, fine musical narrative and overall cohesiveness explains that perfectly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,520 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 1 minute ago, Disco Stu said: Yes if you play the opening track backwards you can hear "Kathleen Kennedy fucked me over" multiple times. Biggest laugh, today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Is there any evidence to suggest he repurposed any music he had written for Rogue One into this score? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KK 3,307 Posted July 20, 2017 Share Posted July 20, 2017 Nope. This seems like its own beast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo 3,709 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 This doesn't appear to be on Apple Music yet... I was sure it'd be up today. Anybody on Apple Music or Spotify able to check and see if they have access to it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 8,008 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 My CD shipped yesterday. Forgot to cancel it... Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 15 minutes ago, Bilbo Skywalker said: Anybody on Apple Music or Spotify able to check and see if they have access to it? 15 minutes ago, crocodile said: My CD shipped yesterday. Forgot to cancel it... Hahahaha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo 3,709 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Damnit Apple Music! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Alright, I am just starting the album on Spotify right now! Well, I took the album and made a playlist where I removed all the songs, so its just the tracks marked as being by Desplat. I'm so confused about the track order; the first track here is Big Market, but soundtrack collector says the first track should be Pearls On Mul? http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/title/112580/ Why is this release so confusing? Anyways, holy crap I liked Big Market a lot! Disco Stu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 See here: EDIT: Just checked the Amazon page for hte CD release, and it seems it has been updated with the digital release tracklist. So I'm guessing the old CD tracklist has indeed been changed (and the songs are not all regrouped on the second disc). Though maybe Amazon got it wrong. It's confusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 So wait, what is the answer? Just that they purposely chose to make the CD, vinyl, and digital releases all have different track orders? Because I'm too lazy to check, do all 3 versions feature the same tracks in different orders, or are there some exclusive tracks on some versions? Bus Attack was fun, and now Arriving on Alpha is nice, hints of Alien/Aliens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I've listened a few times over the past 24 hours. I agree more now with the people who think it doesn't add up to a spectactular score, but there are some really great cues on here. A few cues that will certainly be among my favorites of the year. And has as been noted, the orchestrations and blend with synthetic elements is just beautiful to listen to. James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Yes Stu, I am LOVING the orchestral/synth blend right now! (I'm on Spaceship Chase). Really fun score so far! James and Chewy 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 6 minutes ago, Jay said: Because I'm too lazy to check, do all 3 versions feature the same tracks in different orders, or are there some exclusive tracks on some versions? All three have different track orders: the CD release presented (since that tracklist has apparently been changed. See my EDIT in my previous post) the score on Disc 1 with the tracks in a particular order, and the songs on Disc 2. The digital release tracklist mixes the songs and score (and the score tracks were not in the same order as the CD release). It seems that this is the official tracklist (and what is ultimately on the CD release, since the Amazon page of the CD has now been updated with this tracklist). The vinyl release presents the score and songs, and with the tracks yet in another order (and a bonus track as well: Dark Forces). Some tracks from the CD/digital release are not included on this release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 So the vinyl adds Dark Forces but removes other score cues, while the CD and digital release both feature the same stupid score/song toggle back and forth order? Disappointing. Well, when my CD arrives in the mail in 5 hours or so, I'll be able to verify what order they are on that, at least. Oh man, Medusa was a fun track, reminded me of the start of a weird Rhianna video or something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 This is DEFINITELY a score to be listened to with really good headphones. It's incredibly stimulating music from a sound quality/mixing perspective. Chewy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I'm on Pearls on Mul now, and this doesn't sound like a "start of the album" track at all, so I dunno if that tracklist that showed it as the first track was ever right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 2 minutes ago, Jay said: I'm on Pearls on Mul now, and this doesn't sound like a "start of the album" track at all, so I dunno if that tracklist that showed it as the first track was ever right Just wait til you get to "Flight Above the Big Market." Magnificent cue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 That's the one that just started playing right now! Its good so far! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy 2,388 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Other websites also have the original CD tracklist (here and here) and not the digital tracklist. I guess that's the good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Well, I'm up to "Pearl's World" now, and the strengths and weaknesses of the score are really apparent. The strength is the expert blending of electronics and orchestra, good balance of moody music and set piece type music, and just the general fun, summer blockbuster spectacle nature of the music. The weakness is the complete lack of continuity in the score. It's not just the lack of recurring themes (there isn't any at all, is there?), its also the fact there's no narrative flow to the music at all. All the tracks start and stop a bit oddly, with nothing seeming to "talk" to other tracks and set them up, or refer back to other moments. It's just a collection of different compositions more than an cohesive score. So far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 7 minutes ago, Jay said: It's not just the lack of recurring themes (there isn't any at all, is there?), The theme from "Big Market" recurs multiple times! It's the main theme! It's the melody at the center of "Flight Above the Big Market" as well 3 minutes ago, BloodBoal said: I spotted two: Valerian's theme (heard for example at 00:09 and 01:43 in Valerian's Armor) which shows up a few times in the second half and then there's also a theme for (I think) the City Of A Thousand Planets (heard for example at 00:08 in Flight Above The Big Market) but it's not prominent. Yeah that City theme is the one in "Big Market" too. That Valerian theme is at the end of "Pearls Attack" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy 2,388 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Another one that I found: in "The City of 1000 Planets" at 2:38. This one can be heard a few times as well. Disco Stu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 The last track. "Final Combat" just started. I'm basically in a position where I liked a lot of what I've heard here, but its not very memorable, thought that's likely due to not having a strong, catchy main theme that recurrs throughout the score. I'll check out the timestamps you guys provided for those themes when this track is done, then probably listen to the whole thing again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo 3,709 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I wonder what it's like in the film? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Boy, the program just kinda, ends, doesn't it? The opening track doesn't really have a big "start of an adventure" feel, nor does the final track really have a big "end of an adventure" feel. I think what we're dealing with here is a movie where pop songs play over some big scenes, including probably the ending I guess, so the score is more of a supportive one, and doesn't lend itself to a strong album (when the composer isn't inclined, or isn't given the time or budget, to write album-only material to make up for those shortcomings IE a finale type track or end credits suite type track. Well, off to check those timestamps now 1 hour ago, BloodBoal said: Valerian's theme (heard for example at 00:09 and 01:43 in Valerian's Armor) which shows up a few times in the second half That's not a very good theme. Quote and then there's also a theme for (I think) the City Of A Thousand Planets (heard for example at 00:08 in Flight Above The Big Market) but it's not prominent. That sounds a lot like the other theme Also not very strong. Bummer. 1 hour ago, Disco Stu said: The theme from "Big Market" recurs multiple times! It's the main theme! It's the melody at the center of "Flight Above the Big Market" as well It apparently wasn't strong enough to catch my attention! Quote Yeah that City theme is the one in "Big Market" too. That Valerian theme is at the end of "Pearls Attack" OK I'm already confused. Are you guys in agreement, or disagreement? Is this right? Main theme: 0:09 Valerian's Armor 1:43 Valerian's Armor end of Pearls Attack throughout Flight Above Big Market City Theme throughout Big Market 0:08 Flight Above Big Market Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I only thought of it as the main theme because (a) it's the first one I noticed and (b) it opens the album in "Big Market." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fargo 297 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Google Play Music has a bunch of tracks missing from what I gather is CD 1 of 2. David Bowie isn't there for sure, and I don't know what else is missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Google Play is how I've been listening to the album, skipping the pop tracks. Although that "I Feel Everything" song isn't half-bad actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I skipped every one of the pop songs. Just finished second listen, its a nice score that will probably result in me listening to the best tracks in a short playlist, or in a big playlist with highlights from other scores. Not much reason to listen to the entire "album" all the way through. Maybe a session leak who be better than this presentation, who knows. Also, I think seeing the film will help me connect to the music a lot more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo 3,709 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Still seeing this: Think I'll just head to YouTube at this point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Alrighty folks, the mail has arrived! I have my Valerian CD in hand. Or more accurate, the 2CD set.... It's a digipak!!! And the CD track list is........... Chewy and Bilbo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy 2,388 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 The packaging looks so nice, I'll definitely get it as well, thanks for the pics! And also the tracklisting is way better this way, let's ignore disc 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,353 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I don't know why they gave the digital release a different track order, its dumb. Chewy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Though putting that 'Pearls on Mul' first doesn't give the score a better more coherence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy 2,388 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 I wonder which order is chronological, guess we'll have to see the movie to know if 'Pearls on Mul' is indeed the apropriate cue to be first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 21, 2017 Share Posted July 21, 2017 Why? It doesn't even introduce the themes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 "Big Market" is incredible. It feels like a perfect opening cue for a film, although I haven't seen it and don't know if it actually is the opening. That awesome melody... And then the wildly romantic/heroic bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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