What Is The Last Score You Listened To? (older scores)

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

Batman Forever (Goldenthal)

The original album, for a long time I didn't know what to make of this, too crazy, too all over the place, no focus, just not my cup of tea. Then I bought LLL's complete presentation and what an ear-opener it was. It made me appreciate the original album as well. And now I just adore those totally crazy shifts in tone and gothic fanfares.

He truly has been one of the most unique composers working in film ever. His exuberant style is terribly missed.

Interview with the Vampire!

[Incanus 5,715]

The Reivers by John Williams

The Cowboys by John Williams

The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing by John Williams

Missouri Breaks by John Williams

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

...and it's all in chronological order! Neat!

But...where's "The Rare Breed"?

[Incanus 5,715]

Well I just added the Suite from the Prague Philharmonic album to my playlist yesterday but didn't have time to listen to it all the way through so it will be on the programme today.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

Are you going to listen to the Michel Legrand score for "TMWLCD" ? It really is quite good.

[Matt C 454]

Wilde - Debbie Wiseman

The main theme is quite exquisite, especially the piano solos.

[crocodile 8,017]

Jumanji by James Horner

It's all nice and pretty. But... there doesn't seem to be much of a throughline.

Karol

[Incanus 5,715]

Jumanji by James Horner

It's all nice and pretty. But... there doesn't seem to be much of a throughline.

Karol

I have not heard the score myself but I think this is pretty much the consensus among the fans as well.

[publicist 4,643]

Jumanji by James Horner

It's all nice and pretty. But... there doesn't seem to be much of a throughline.

Karol

While it's all by the numbers, the one interesting thing that differentiates it from the usual Horner saccharine is the rather dissonant tone of a lot of the suspense and action stuff. I wonder what happened on that job because Johnston never used Horner again after JUMANJI (allegedly due to a fallout).

[crocodile 8,017]

The action stuff is this score's best element, I concur.

Karol

[DreamTheater 131]

There's a fantastic suite that Erich Kunzel arranged on one of his CD's, but it's fairly middle of the road Horner. Honey I Shrunk the Kids and The Rocketeer are the two that really shine in the Johnston films.

[DreamTheater 131]

Lair (John Debney & Kevin Kaska)

Excellent release from LLL. You can hear the hard work that went into this one + the sound is abolutely stellar. I can now retire the promo thingie.

[Sir Hilary Bray 235]

Gave a listen to the Rudy suite from a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Such a sound to it, both moving and uplifting.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Is that my recording? Jerry and the LSO in 2001?

[Sir Hilary Bray 235]

Just might be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCEEloYNTT4&index=1&list=FLQ8ymmZwPO5DdffZUurvkYg

[crocodile 8,017]

The Black Dahlia

Karol

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

Is that my recording? Jerry and the LSO in 2001?

As far as I remember, the suite was a world premiere. I don't know if it's ever been performed in full again?

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

There's a fantastic suite that Erich Kunzel arranged on one of his CD's, but it's fairly middle of the road Horner. Honey I Shrunk the Kids and The Rocketeer are the two that really shine in the Johnston films.

James Horner's "HISTK"? Don't you mean Nino Rota?

Is that my recording? Jerry and the LSO in 2001?

Where was the JG concert, in 2001?

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

Royal Albert Hall, as mentioned above and in the video.

[Naïve Old Fart 9,533]

HUH?! All I got was something called a grep console, and a Max Fighter. I thought that was a type of make-up.

Where is this world going, and why am I in this hand cart?

I listened to "The Empire Strikes Back", but only as far as "The Battle For Hoth", as, had I listened to any more, I would have missed "I'm Sorry, I Haven't A Clue". Sad, but, as we say on Earth: "C'est la vie".

[publicist 4,643]

BATMAN & ROBIN

The allegedly planned 48-minute album. I have yet to hear it again but apart from too many references to BATMAN FOREVER this sequel score reinforces my deep-held belief that only Goldenthal is hip enough to write true comic book music instead of overblown Wagner facsimiles. The orchestration is sheer brilliance. Gotham never sounded more colourfully neurotic, dangerous and sexy than here.

[crocodile 8,017]

Apparently, the only instruction he received from Schumacher was "do your thing, you're the composer".

Anyway, inspired by KK's link on Facebook, I decided to give The Matrix Reloaded a spin this early morning. The alternate action music is really cool. While there is nothing really wrong with film versions - Rob Dougan's Chateau is a nice nod to Clubbed to Death they used in the previous film and Juno Reactor contributions to Burly Brawl helped to create one of the best combinations of electronica and orchestra ever. But the alternates are ballsier. It's interesting that both take risks, but in drastically different ways. The score itself is the most accessible and mainstream of all three, with eclectic choice of intrumental colours and nods to many different film genres. At that point the series wasn't a horror anymore and Davis had to find new ways to branch out. It is also the only film where the filmmakers managed to find a nice balance between original music and song material (elsewhere, they seemed just kind of shoved in):

Karol

[DreamTheater 131]

BATMAN & ROBIN

The allegedly planned 48-minute album. I have yet to hear it again but apart from too many references to BATMAN FOREVER this sequel score reinforces my deep-held belief that only Goldenthal is hip enough to write true comic book music instead of overblown Wagner facsimiles. The orchestration is sheer brilliance. Gotham never sounded more colourfully neurotic, dangerous and sexy than here.

Isn't it closer to 45 minutes?

I've always loved the Nora theme and those awesome fanfares in 'Batflight and Robin's Theme'.

I do feel however, the album lacks a big finale cue, but I've got to see the film again (guilty pleasure here) to know if there was one.

[DreamTheater 131]

The Peacemaker (Hans Zimmer)

The regular album, great presentation and kickass score. Where has this Zimmer gone?

Wing Commander (David Arnold & Kevin Kiner)

It's been too long... such a joy to hear every time... the theme is downright fantastic.

[Jay 37,364]

I remember loving the theme to Wing Commander and being bored by the rest of the CD. But I haven't heard it in 15 years, I'll have to dig my CD out again

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

I remember loving the theme back then, but I never had the CD. Can't remember the theme now, either.

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488]

I listened to the Deep Space Nine set. I typically find it far more entertaining than the similar TNG set, although I enjoy both. It certainly improved my day.

[Dixon Hill 4,234]

Silvestri's Cosmos.

A lot more here than meets the ear. Still love that chorale at 5:08 and 9:21. And the second half of Islands Of Light (2:43:09) is fantastically stirring.

Contact

[Matt C 454]

Mama - Fernando Velazquez

Haunted - Debbie Wiseman

[Jay 37,364]

Jeez, someone really put all 4 volumes of the Cosmos OST releases in one youtube video like that?

And we wonder why we can't have physical CD versions

[Hlao-roo 389]

 

Can't believe this score is ten years old now.

[BloodBoal 7,538]

[DreamTheater 131]

Fully agree Bloadboal, tremendous game score and excellent performance by the Prague Philharmonic.

Barnabas and Arnold did another one a couple of years before MediEvil called Primal, but it doesn't come close to the orchestral mayhem of Resurrection, though there are a few standout cues. This being my favourite:

[Matt C 454]

The Mummy - Jerry Goldsmith

Still tremendously fun.

[Jay 37,364]

Eric Serra - The Fifth Element

Still love it

Various - The Essential Hollywood

Good compilation of the big classic themes. Heard some stuff I've always known the melody to but never knew what it was before, IE The Magnificent Seven. Also there was a piece on here called "Street Scene" that was VERY similar to the Rebel Fanfare from Star Wars!

[DreamTheater 131]

The Mummy - Jerry Goldsmith

Still tremendously fun.

It's the most fun I can ever have in film music ! Jerry was a genius and The Mummy has earned a place in my top 5 (see my profile).

[Marian Schedenig 8,193]

It's an endlessly fun score, and much more refined than one might think at first. It has some of my favourite rhythmic writing from Goldsmith's entire output, and the themes are handled wonderfully. Even a deceptively "simple" cue like The Caravan is brilliant in its elegant contrapuntal buildup.

[Dixon Hill 4,234]

Jeez, someone really put all 4 volumes of the Cosmos OST releases in one youtube video like that?

And we wonder why we can't have physical CD versions

Yeah I was put off by that as well.

[Incanus 5,715]

The Wind and the Lion by Jerry Goldsmith: As Lukas Kendall remarks in the liner notes, this has just about everything you could hope from a Goldsmith score. Rousing, sweeping, suspenseful, this one has it all.

The Great Train Robbery by Jerry Goldsmith: One of those surprises from Goldsmith, a wily confection of a score with a knowing crooked smile and a glint at the corner of the eye. I am glad the old master got to score this type of film in the time when he was in danger of being type casted for few select genres. He was obviously having such tremendous fun with this and it is all very audible in the score at every bar. Just pure cinematic fun.

Patton by Jerry Goldsmith: A masterpiece of musical economy and I have to admit it took some time to get into this music despite the rousing main march theme which is about as direct as one can get. But I have long since considered this music to be not only masterful but also moving in its stoic resolve.

Empire of the Sun by John Williams: The recent LLL release is a wonderful set and the music is as achingly beautiful, terrifying, intriguing and eclectic as ever and special also for the gift of the Maestro that Spielberg calls "the ability to conjure unprecedented sounds". Empire of the Sun is a departure certainly from the normal modus operandi of the dynamic film duo and all the more fascinating for it. It curiously contains elements, sounds and approaches that would resurface a decade later in Williams' music but here they sound both familiar and fresh at the same time, especially with the addition of the new previously unreleased cues that seem to contains shades of things to come. The music is often haunting and the female and boyschoir becomes sort of a backbone or roadmap through the music as it often takes a non-thematic path and offers singular setpieces and evocations of mood from soul soaring spiritual awe and wonder to relentless heart quaking horror and panic. The original OST contained a lion's share of the major pieces from the score but the new album fills the small gaps along the narrative route and at least to me this unreleased music complements the whole experience in a fine way. Matessino's album production is nigh flawless and the presentation with the first disc containing the complete score and the second disc full of alternates can't be faulted. A comprehensive and illuminating release which made me appreciate this unique gem all the more if possible.

[Hlao-roo 389]

I wish they still scored fantasy films like this. It's all sturm und drang now.

 

[crocodile 8,017]

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

OK, the album might be a tad too long, I admit (maybe 10 minutes). But it's one of Giacchino's strongest works for live-action. Ahead of both Star Trek, behind John Carter. Yes, some of the techniques he explored already in Lost, but it all fits the film like a glove. The themes are extremely simple (four of them can be heard in the end credits suite below). However, in the context of simple ape society and primal conflict presented in the film, they address the themes and emotional core very well. It does help a great deal that this is probably the first score from Michael that does actually sound good (thank god for Joel Iwataki), so his cool percussive and woodwinds can actually be appreciated and felt. While not a personal favourite of mine when it comes to summer 2014, it's a really strong work. That it works wonders for its film does count, too.

http://youtu.be/UWVAALnVaj8

Karol - who would still like Giacchino to write a slightly longer-lined melody (with more challenging harmonies) next time

[DreamTheater 131]

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

It does help a great deal that this is probably the first score from Michael that does actually sound good (thank god for Joel Iwataki),

Have you not heard Giacchino's video game scores? Because those sound pretty awesome. (MOH: Frontline for instance).

[crocodile 8,017]

But they also use smaller ensembles.

Karol

[DreamTheater 131]

Smaller by how much because the sound on MOH and SWON is absolutely massive.

[crocodile 8,017]

The first Medal of Honor used an orchestra of fewer than 50 players, I think. With each new title they expanded it and by Airborne it was a regular film-like ensemble.

Speaking of which, I really like his last two - Frontline and Airborne.

Karol

[DreamTheater 131]

Oh yeah, those 2 are superb, I generally prefer his video game output over the movies. They're full of memorable themes, balls to the walls action cues and just superbly recorded and performed.

I'd love to see an official release of Call of Duty: Finest Hour and Small Soldiers one day. Fantastic stuff. Small Soldiers is extremely fun and catchy.

[crocodile 8,017]

I'd love to see an official release of Call of Duty: Finest Hour and Small Soldiers one day. Fantastic stuff. Small Soldiers is extremely fun and catchy.

I'm not familiar with those two, to be honest.

And yes, you're right. Video game scores from him mostly exceed his film works. But then again, they're not as restrictive as well.

One thing I noticed about Giacchino, is that, no matter the quality of music on album, always contributes something to films. His music often gives the film some flavour and sense of pacing. And for that I have a huge respect for him. It would be nice, though, for him to branch out a bit - do a more serious drama or something like that. As of now, he's mostly wandering about in the same kind of aesthetic realm.

Karol

[DreamTheater 131]

Here's a cue from Small Soldiers:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDuBhKs7bWo

If you want to hear more, we can talk more privately

[Incanus 5,715]

The first Medal of Honor used an orchestra of fewer than 50 players, I think. With each new title they expanded it and by Airborne it was a regular film-like ensemble.

Speaking of which, I really like his last two - Frontline and Airborne.

Karol

I still think Frontline is among the best music MG has composed thusfar. Everything in that score gels so well together.

[DreamTheater 131]

Back in 2002 Frontline is what made me say (and I'm sure I'm not alone in this) : here is the true successor to that unmistakable Williams sound.