David Arnold- The Lesser Known Scores

[John Crichton 4]

OK, we all know about the Emmerich/Devlin biggies and the Bond work. But with the near official confirmation that Arnold is on board for the third Narnia movie, I've been wondering about some of his lesser known work that deserves some light shined on it (and that I, right now, know nothing about).

So, recommendations. What Arnold scores outside the obvious are worth having?

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Ab-solute-ly nothing.

[Wycket 36]

Yeah, Arnold definitely isn't anything like he was back in the mid-90s. Casino Royale was a step in the right direction, let's see if he can continue it.

[John Crichton 4]

Ab-solute-ly nothing.

Yes, you've made your feelings about Arnold clear before. Please go increase your post count somewhere else.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

What is that supposed to mean?

[Lurker 5]

Is The Musketeer lesser known? If so, check it out. If not, check it out anyway. Just stay very far away from the movie.

Neil

[King Mark 3,631]

The Stepford Wives is allright.

k.M.

[John Crichton 4]

Is The Musketeer lesser known? If so, check it out. If not, check it out anyway. Just stay very far away from the movie.

Neil

Yeah, I think that's the one Steef mentioned not long ago. Anything not Bond or Emmerich related is what I was looking for, so that fits. Duly noted on the film. <_<

[Trent B 337]

Ab-solute-ly nothing.

Yes, you've made your feelings about Arnold clear before. Please go increase your post count somewhere else.

Indeed. That's almost as bad as Joe saying the score for AOTC sucks every time it's mentioned.

Koray, just because you mostly don't like Arnold doesn't mean others do. So you know the old saying, "If you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin' at all."

Most of Arnold's scores are pretty good in my opinion, including his 007 scores.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

That's fine that you like David Arnold, I couldn't care less. I was saying how his lesser scores aren't very good, laughingbat agreed with me. I don't plan on saying David Arnold sucks every time he is mentioned.

I took more offense to the remark he made about increasing posts. As if he's superior because he has more posts than me.

[indy4 155]

I took more offense to the remark he made about increasing posts. As if he's superior because he has more posts than me.

This is just what I was talking about in that other thread, I forget what it was called. Perfect example.

This thought of superiority being directly linked with quantity of posts is the thought-process of many people around here.

[John Crichton 4]

I took more offense to the remark he made about increasing posts. As if he's superior because he has more posts than me.

This is just what I was talking about in that other thread, I forget what it was called. Perfect example.

This thought of superiority being directly linked with quantity of posts is the thought-process of many people around here.

OK, I wasn't going to wade into this anymore but I guess I have no choice. Did I say that? Did I even imply that? You guys are reading something that just isn't there, or projecting what you want or expect to see.

Fact: there are many, many instances of new people posting throwaway comments in topics simply to increase their own post count, something I decided to satirically remark on. I intended no offense, but I was very annoyed that the first comment in a thread where I was looking for some suggestions for good unknown Arnold scores was basically "Arnold sucks". As some new folks here (I really don't want to sound mean here, but it's true) have shown a real lack of grasping a lot of this board's sense of humor, I suppose I should have realized that a comment like that would've been taken much straighter than it was intended. But the idea that I was implying in any way that I'm somehow superior because of something as silly as my post count is just laughable. If you'd care to look, you'll see my post count is much lower than most others who have been around as long as I have. Not something I get too worked up over.

And that's my last word on the matter. Can we please talk about David Arnold now.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

I apologize for all the misunderstandings and confusion. I've heard that Stargate is very good, I'm downloading it right now, so I'll get back to you in a few minutes.

EDIT: Just remembered you wanted to know about his lesser scores. I have Zoolander, and that's O.K. I guess for what it's composed for.

[indy4 155]

I took more offense to the remark he made about increasing posts. As if he's superior because he has more posts than me.

This is just what I was talking about in that other thread, I forget what it was called. Perfect example.

This thought of superiority being directly linked with quantity of posts is the thought-process of many people around here.

OK, I wasn't going to wade into this anymore but I guess I have no choice. Did I say that? Did I even imply that? You guys are reading something that just isn't there, or projecting what you want or expect to see.

Fact: there are many, many instances of new people posting throwaway comments in topics simply to increase their own post count, something I decided to satirically remark on. I intended no offense, but I was very annoyed that the first comment in a thread where I was looking for some suggestions for good unknown Arnold scores was basically "Arnold sucks". As some new folks here (I really don't want to sound mean here, but it's true) have shown a real lack of grasping a lot of this board's sense of humor, I suppose I should have realized that a comment like that would've been taken much straighter than it was intended. But the idea that I was implying in any way that I'm somehow superior because of something as silly as my post count is just laughable. If you'd care to look, you'll see my post count is much lower than most others who have been around as long as I have. Not something I get too worked up over.

And that's my last word on the matter. Can we please talk about David Arnold now.

I'm sorry, I really wasn't trying to insult you, I was talking about this board in general.

I don't have any Arnold, I'm afraid.

[Erik Woods 555]

Well, I really like his funky 70's stylings in Four Brothers and Shaft.

He wrote a John Barryesque score for The Last of the Dogmen... some beautiful, lush string writing performed by the LSO.

Amazing Grace is an lovely, dramatic turn for Arnold. "Triumph and Speech" gives me goosebumps!

"The Stepford Wives" was a breath of fresh air. A comedy score from David Arnold? Oh ya!

And I'll second The Musketeer. An old fashioned swashbuckling adventure score full of fun and energy!

-Erik-

[John Crichton 4]

I'm sorry, I really wasn't trying to insult you, I was talking about this board in general.

I wasn't insulted, I just wanted to set the record straight. <_<

And thanks Koray, hopefully we'll better understand where each other is coming from. Zoolander's some weak Ben Stiller comedy, isn't it? Was Arnold running short of funds or something, hooking up with something like that?

I guess I'm going to have to get The Musketeer.

[indy4 155]

Yes, I actually cannot think of an instance where you were unfairly harsh towards me <_<

[Koray Savas 2,251]

I'm sorry, I really wasn't trying to insult you, I was talking about this board in general.

I wasn't insulted, I just wanted to set the record straight. <_<

And thanks Koray, hopefully we'll better understand where each other is coming from. Zoolander's some weak Ben Stiller comedy, isn't it? Was Arnold running short of funds or something, hooking up with something like that?

I guess I'm going to have to get The Musketeer.

Zoolander was Ben Stiller, although I found it very funny. I'm not sure why he did the score. I have The Musketeer, although I don't think I ever listened to it. One of those free promos I always used to get a few years ago, now I think it's lying around my room somewhere.

[fommes 153]

Well, a few of my favorite:

- His debut The Young Americans (of course); the album only has a couple of score cuts though.

- Last of the Dogmen (a bit in the same spirit though more epic).

- Definitely Shaft, if that's among his "smaller" efforts so to speak. One of my favorites, he incorporates the Shaft theme as good as, if not better than the Bond theme. The climax cue (the car chase) is awesome.

- The Stepford Wives is great. Not everything is on the promo though, but the best is. The temp track was Edward Scissorhands, but it's far from intrusive. Great theme.

- I would definitely recommend Baby Boy and Four Brothers for his smaller efforts. Perfect fusion of groovy electronics and orchestra too.

What's left? Enough and Changing Lanes are good too (Changing Lanes is more 'experiment-like'), but definitely an acquired taste. The Musketeer has been named, that's orchestral swashbuckling à la Stargate so if you're into that, get it.

Zoolander, A Life less Ordinary are more filler cues on a low budget, these are nice for the completist and there's some nice stuff in it but I'd first get the above. You've also got 2 Fast 2 Furious, which is really techno-oriented. Amazing Grace is at the totally other end of the spectrum, so you can't say he isn't versatile: very subtle and thematic music. I haven't mentioned a few odds and ends (Hot Fuzz, Stoned), but I'd say one's got a nice list here.

[Neimoidian 14]

Well, a few of my favorite:

- His debut The Young Americans (of course); the album only has a couple of score cuts though.

- Last of the Dogmen (a bit in the same spirit though more epic).

- Definitely Shaft, if that's among his "smaller" efforts so to speak. One of my favorites, he incorporates the Shaft theme as good as, if not better than the Bond theme. The climax cue (the car chase) is awesome.

- The Stepford Wives is great. Not everything is on the promo though, but the best is. The temp track was Edward Scissorhands, but it's far from intrusive. Great theme.

- I would definitely recommend Baby Boy and Four Brothers for his smaller efforts. Perfect fusion of groovy electronics and orchestra too.

What's left? Enough and Changing Lanes are good too (Changing Lanes is more 'experiment-like'), but definitely an acquired taste. The Musketeer has been named, that's orchestral swashbuckling à la Stargate so if you're into that, get it.

Zoolander, A Life less Ordinary are more filler cues on a low budget, these are nice for the completist and there's some nice stuff in it but I'd first get the above. You've also got 2 Fast 2 Furious, which is really techno-oriented. Amazing Grace is at the totally other end of the spectrum, so you can't say he isn't versatile: very subtle and thematic music. I haven't mentioned a few odds and ends (Hot Fuzz, Stoned), but I'd say one's got a nice list here.

I couldn't add more. David Arnold is more than just Stargate-ID4-007. I haven't heard some of his works like "Zoolander" or "Musketeer", but I really recommend checking on:

- The Last of the Dogmen - one of his best;

- Stepford Wives (unfortunatelly officially unreleased) - elfanesque at times, but very enjoyable with some great waltz cues;

- Four Brothers - a mixture of jazz, groove, some heavy electronics and symphonic music. It's not a masterpiece, but I keep listening to it very often;

- Amazing Grace - a very subtle and thematic music, like my predecessor said.

[Greg1138 3]

Amazing Grace, Four Brothers and The Musketeer (thanks for the tip a while ago on that one, Neil!) are all fantastic scores, and among the most played albums on my iPod.....

Arnold doesn't get enough credit or mention, but then he does make some odd career choices now and again!! (the aforementioned Zoolander, for a start!).

Greg

[MSM 126]

The theme from Musketeer is ok, nut nothing more than a derivative of JW's Superman March.

Stepford Wives, Young Americans these scores are nothing like original, we have heard this kind of music better from John Barry, Patrick Doyle and George Fenton.

Independence Day is by far his masterwork, with some distance followed by Stargate. Godzilla was only a shadow of these scores. I still think he should have made that move to LA after the success of ID4, he could have scored a lot of adventure movies in symphonic style.

Nonetheless do I prefer his purely symphonic scores above the electronic stuff he produced for the Bond franchise.

Hopefully Narnia will get him back on track.

[Pieter Boelen 740]

David Arnold for Narnia 3? That sounds pretty good. Where did that come from?

[mahler3 478]

Wing Commander is a very enjoyable score - Arnold did the theme and Kevin Kiner wrote the rest.

Last of the Dogmen as others have mentioned is superb yes and Going Home from Stargate is one of the best finales IMO.

If you go to his website - www.davidarnold.com - there are some good unreleased score cuts worth looking at including the Little Britain theme and the wonderful Snow Business from The World Is Not Enough

[Neimoidian 14]

David Arnold for Narnia 3? That sounds pretty good. Where did that come from?

From the man himself - I asked him about it in Ubeda and he confirmed. It has become my most anticipated score next to IJ4

[Carnifex 5]

Yes excluding his true masterpiece ID4 nothing much is left. The Last of the Dogmen is a wonderful exception, one of the rare moments when you can see the glimpse of light of his true potential. I think his biggest mistake was to abandon his Williamsian fire and gusto and descend to scoring for Bond-films. Great tragedy, he could have really been the next John Williams.

[Morlock 11]

Last of the Dogmen is very good. I love The Stepford Wives. And Stefancos insists that Young Americans is great (haven't heard it).

[JCoppack 0]

I enjoy most of Arnold's Work, As for his lesser known work I particularly enjoy Last of the Dogmen. I Like that he's an esablished film composer but still works on small independent such as Stoned and Venus. Also after Listening to The Musketeer I would have liked to hear what he'd come up with if he'd been given the chance to score Pirates of the Carribbean, rather than Hans and the rest of the MV crew.

I'd say he's amongst my favourite composers, however one score I dislike is Changing Lanes.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

And Stefancos insists that Young Americans is great (haven't heard it).

It's very good, I'm not sure if it's great. But it's a very interesting listen.

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

David Arnold for Narnia 3? That sounds pretty good. Where did that come from?

From the man himself - I asked him about it in Ubeda and he confirmed. It has become my most anticipated score next to IJ4

It's also on his official website now, but I first heard it from Kris in Úbeda, after he heard it from Arnold.

(Úbeda rocked)