Erik Woods

NEW EPISODE | FAVOURITE SCORES OF 2025 - PART 2 https://www.cinematicsound.net/the-flagship-show-favourite-scores-of-2025-part-2/ Here is part two of my favourite scores of 2025, which will be presented in alphabetical order. On the program today, you will hear music by Michael Giacchino, Fil Eisler, Alan Silvestri, Sonya Belousova, Giona Ostinelli, Cameron Moody, John Powell and Stephen Schwartz. At the end of the show I will unveil my favourite score of 2025. Enjoy the music and the commentary!

NEW EPISODE | CHAT WITH DAVID ARNOLD: 30th ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE DAY https://www.cinematicsound.net/chat-with-david-arnold-30th-anniversary-of-independence-day/ Back in May 2025, my friend and David Arnold super-fan Brendan Anderson reached out to me with an idea of producing a podcast episode celebrating the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Roland Emmerich epic sci-fi-action film INDEPENDENCE DAY. In that message, he mentioned the possibility of interviewing David Arnold while on vacation in the UK that summer. On a personal note, we’ve been trying to get David Arnold on the show for years, so this was a great opportunity to finally make that dream a reality. I approved the premise, and I let Brandan do his thing. To be totally honest, as the months went by, I totally forgot about the show until Brendan reached out again earlier this month, informing me that the show was almost complete! I couldn’t begin to tell you how excited I was to read this news. Arnold’s score is one of my all-time favourites, and to hear that Brendan actually secured an interview with the man was the icing on the cake. Here is the completed show just in time for your Fourth of July celebrations! SHOW NOTES Brendan is a lifelong film music fan and media nerd. He received a music degree in college and also participated in the film scoring program at UCLA in Los Angeles. He’s enjoyed a long history of connecting with others in the film music fan community from all over the world, sharing a love of the genre that’s designed to make people feel something larger than life. Among his favorite scores are the big, thematic orchestral scores of the 90’s and early 2000’s and all the composers who created them. His ‘gateway’ into the world of film music was hearing John Williams’ incredible score for JURASSIC PARK in the theater as it played in all its glory during the film’s end credits. Brendan’s favorite film composer is David Arnold for his ability to create strong, tuneful themes in the midst of huge orchestral textures—but he also admires Arnold’s adaptability as he perfectly blends modern elements of electronics, jazz and pop sounds. From his blockbuster scores of the 90’s to his incredible James Bond scores and his amazing concert music side quests for the Olympics, the Royal Albert Hall and beyond, the UK has truly found its modern musical master of ceremonies in David Arnold. As the 30th anniversary of the score to INDEPENDENCE DAY approached, Brendan had the opportunity to sit down with David at his home base at Air Lyndhurst Studios in London in July 2025. Together, they took a look back at the influences that went into creating the score’s thematic elements, the role the music played in nailing the film’s tone, and even did a measure-by-measure deep dive into the film’s critical turning point and most famous musical cue: “The President’s Speech.” Along the way, they also discussed the pros and cons of various cookies, what David’s procrastination looked like while writing the score, and why his social media feeds often include pictures of odd garden statues. Enjoy!

NEW EPISODE | FAVOURITE SCORES OF 2025 - PART 1 https://www.cinematicsound.net/the-flagship-show-favourite-scores-of-2025-part-1/ Better late than never, here is part one of my favourite scores of 2025, which will be presented in alphabetical order. On the program today, you will hear music by Mathieu Alvado, Simon Franglen, Jerskin Fendrix, Gordy Haab, Evan Call and Romain Paillot. I’ll conclude my look at my favourite scores of 2025 on the next episode, where I will unveil my favourite score of the year! Enjoy the music and the commentary!

NEW EPISODE | THE FINAL EPISODE OF THE TOP 25 SCORES OF THE 21st CENTURY https://www.cinematicsound.net/the-flagship-show-top-25-scores-of-the-21st-century-episode-7-scores-5-1/ In this final part of our seven-part series counting down the TOP 25 SCORES OF THE 21st CENTURY, we will conclude the countdown with the presentation of scores 5-1. In this episode, you’ll hear selections from Conrad Pope, Daft Punk, John Williams, John Powell and James Newton Howard. Enjoy!

NEW EPISODE | JEFF BEAL EXPLORES THE WORLD OF METROPOLIS https://www.cinematicsound.net/talking-soundtracks-interview-with-jeff-beal/ Jeff Beal is a prolific composer who has scored hundreds of films and series, including House of Cards (Netflix), Rome (HBO), Carnivàle (HBO), and Monk (USA Network), as well as the films Pollock and Appaloosa and numerous acclaimed documentaries. His recent project is a new symphonic score for the 1927 silent film classic Metropolis, widely regarded as one of the most influential films ever made. In addition, the five-time Emmy winner recently scored the Peacock/Universal series All Her Fault, starring Sarah Snook, creating an ever-dark and ominous backdrop to the high-tension thriller series based on the novel by Andrea Mara. In April 2026, for the Cinematic Sound Radio Podcast, Jason Drury had the pleasure of talking to Jeff about both scores via Zoom from a composer’s summit in Prague, where he was due to premiere his score for Metropolis, to picture conducting the Czech National Symphony Orchestra the following day. During the show, as well as hearing music from ALL HER FAULT, you will be hearing exclusive clips from METROPOLIS, which is due to be released in 2027. Enjoy!

That caught me off guard. I knew about Brian May's contribution but I didn't expect it to sound like a mix of Queen AND ABBA! I'm curious how this is going to work in context. -Erik-

NEW EPISODE | THE BEST SCORES OF THE 21st CENTURY: PART 6 - SCORES 10-6 https://www.cinematicsound.net/the-flagship-show-top-25-scores-of-the-21st-century-episode-6-scores-10-6/ In part six of our seven-part series counting down the TOP 25 SCORES OF THE 21st CENTURY, we will continue the countdown with the presentation of scores 10-6. In this episode, you'll hear selections from Don Davis, Edward Shearmur, Bear McCreary, John Powell, and Howard Shore. Our final episode in the series will be available soon. Stay tuned.

NEW EPISODE | THE ESSENTIAL SOUNDTRACKS - STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT https://www.cinematicsound.net/the-essential-soundtracks-star-trek-first-contact/ Today on THE ESSENTIAL SOUNDTRACKS, Erik Woods, Robert Daniels, and Randy Andrews continue their journey through the STAR TREK films and their soundtracks as they discuss the eighth movie in the series, STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT. You’ll hear them discuss the film in great detail, including such topics as the selection of Jonathan Frakes as director, the design of the new Enterprise E, Worf’s return, the Defiant, the special effects as created by Industrial Light and Magic, the Borg Queen, and more. Also covered in great length is Jerry Goldsmith’s incredible score (with help from son Joel). STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT was released on November 22, 1996. James Cromwell, Alfre Woodard, and Alice Krige join cast members from the 1987 series STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION who were starring in their very first solo STAR TREK motion picture. In the film, the Borg travel back in time, intent on preventing Earth’s first contact with an alien species. Captain Picard and his crew pursue them to ensure that Zefram Cochrane makes his maiden flight, reaching warp speed. The original soundtrack album was released at the time of the film’s release on GNP Crescendo Records, featuring 44 minutes worth of score with two licensed songs. On April 2, 2012, GNP Crescendo Records announced a limited-edition collector’s CD pressed to 10,000 copies. It features the complete score by Jerry Goldsmith with additional music by his son Joel, newly remastered by recording engineer Bruce Botnick, with an accompanying 16-page booklet including informative notes by Jeff Bond and John Takis. The album is still available to purchase at the time of this recording. NOTE – Our Patreon-only episode includes an extra segment discussing the cue “The Dish.” You can listen to that version HERE. Enjoy the show! The Essential Soundtracks Theme by Alexander Schiebel.

ANNOUNCEMENT! 'PLAY MORRICONE FOR ME' JOINS CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO https://www.cinematicsound.net/play-morricone-for-me-ep-1-first-film-scores/ Welcome to the inaugural episode of PLAY MORRICONE FOR ME on CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO. You have no idea how thrilled I am to welcome Jack Criddle and his terrific program into the CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO family. I’ve been an admirer of Jack’s show for quite some time; it reminds me a lot of Ley Bricknell’s FILMIC program… eclectic, unique, exceptional, and downright entertaining. Similar to Ley, he plays stuff on this show I never would have thought to play. So, strap yourself in because once you hear the words “Play Morricone For Me,” you are in for a ride. Please give a warm CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO welcome to Jack in the comments below. – Erik Woods SHOW NOTES Producer & host Jack Criddle started broadcasting PLAY MORRICONE FOR ME—a film music radio show with an inclination towards cult and genre scores—in 2017, on the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ station. The program switched to a prerecorded format in 2020, has highlighted everything from spaghetti westerns to cannibal movies to Disney songs, and has featured such guests as John Sayles, Fabio Frizzi, Ben Model and the B-52’s Pat Irwin. To celebrate the beginning of PMFM’s new home on Cinematic Sound Radio, Jack turns his attention to debut film scoring gigs by some of the world’s great composers. These range from the relatively obscure, like Morricone’s IL FEDERALE, John Barry’s NEVER LET GO, and Quincy Jones’s THE BOY IN THE TREE, to the well-known and celebrated, like CITIZEN KANE, CAPTAIN BLOOD, DEEP RED, SHAFT and more. Enjoy!

NEW EPISODE | OFF-KILTER JAMES HORNER https://www.cinematicsound.net/the-flag-ship-show-off-kilter-james-horner/ Over the past decade, CINEMATIC SOUND RADIO has produced numerous programs celebrating the life and music of James Horner, including a standout three-part documentary by Jason Drury that remains essential listening. I’ve also contributed several Horner-focused episodes myself, from explorations of his re-recorded works and end credit suites to in-depth analyses of Sneakers and Aliens alongside Randy Andrews. I had assumed I’d said all I wanted to say about Horner, but over the past year I’ve come across a few unusual scores while filling gaps in my CD collection, titles like The Name of the Rose, Where the River Runs Black, and Southpaw, that pulled me back in. Horner is widely known for his emotionally rich, melodic style, blending sweeping orchestration with subtle electronic elements and crafting memorable themes that carry a film’s emotional core. But beyond that familiar sound lies a more experimental side, where he embraced unconventional techniques and textures. In scores like The Name of the Rose and Commando, he explored eerie vocalizations, dissonant electronics, and unusual instrumentation, revealing a composer willing to take creative risks. Today’s program is dedicated to those bold, avant-garde Horner works that showcase his more unexpected musical voice. Enjoy!

TODAY IS THE DAY! The winners of the 2025 IFMCA Awards will be announced at 12:00 PM (EST) | 9:00 AM (PST) TODAY **LIVE** on our Youtube channel, link below. Who will win? Make sure you tune in and find out! -Erik-

NEW EPISODE | TOP 25 SCORES OF THE 21st CENTURY – EPISODE 3 – SCORES 25-21 https://www.cinematicsound.net/the-flag-ship-show-top-25-scores-of-the-21st-century-episode-3-scores-25-21/ In part three of our seven-part series counting down the TOP 25 SCORES OF THE 21st CENTURY, we will begin the countdown proper with the presentation of scores 25-21. In this episode, you’ll hear selections from James Newton Howard, Mark McKenzie, Roque Baños, Andy Hull, Robert McDowell, and Panu Aaltio. Part four will be available next week. Enjoy!

NEW EPISODE | THE FLAGSHIP SHOW: TOP 25 SCORES OF THE 21st CENTURY – EPISODE 2 – MORE HONOURABLE MENTIONS https://www.cinematicsound.net/the-flag-ship-show-top-25-scores-of-the-21st-century-episode-2-more-honourable-mentions/ In part two of our seven-part series counting down the TOP 25 SCORES OF THE 21st CENTURY, we will be featuring three more honourable mentions. In this episode, you’ll hear selections from Hans Zimmer, James Horner and Thomas Newman. If you haven’t listened to part one yet, I highly recommend doing so first. Part three will be available next week.