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

[GerateWohl 6,473]

Lost in Space is a typical score to please you after you lowered your expectation of modern orchestral scores with that RCP garbage and you are positively surprised that there are still well arranged and orchestrated scores in this world.

[Andy 7,565]

2 hours ago, filmmusic said:

 

I think there was someone here that said recently that this is one of his favorite scores?

Well, it's of course well executed and orchestrated etc., but it seemed to me that it lacked character. Don't know how to explain it better.

 

It's SO good... until it isn't. The heroic theme starts so strong with great harmonies, and then doesn't quite stick the landing.   But overall there's something in this score that's missing that fails to crystallize the entire thing. So it doesn't linger long. The launch sequence got my attention in the film, so that worked, but on its own, I like some of it a lot, and a lot of it not at all.

[Rachael Foley 10,032]

3 hours ago, Andy said:

But overall there's something in this score that's missing that fails to crystallize the entire thing. 

Only what you take with you.  

[Edmilson 12,244]

There's someone in the forum whose favorite score is Broughton's LiS, and here you are clowning on it.

 

[Kasey Kockroach 2,721]

I’m presumably (but hopefully not) the biggest Broughton fan here and LiS was never a favorite. 

 

Judge Dredd by Alan Sylvester the pussycat (50 minute playlist)

[Edmilson 12,244]

26 minutes ago, Kasey Kockroach said:

Judge Dredd by Alan Sylvester t

[CinderTech 1,785]

[Kasey Kockroach 2,721]

54 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

Sorry, it’s boring as Silvestri usually is. I put on Waterworld again instead.

[Edmilson 12,244]

1 hour ago, Kasey Kockroach said:

Sorry, it’s boring as Silvestri usually is

 

1 hour ago, Kasey Kockroach said:

I put on Waterworld again instead.

 

Seriously now, action mode balls to the wall, no holds barred, no prisoners taken Alan Silvestri never fails to entertain me. It's always incredibly funny. Even less well loved scores like G.I. Joe and Van Helsing for me are 

[Damien F 2,009]

I've been listening to Psycho in the background while coding and The Murder gave me a jump scare. It's still doing its job well after all these years.

[GerateWohl 6,473]

9 hours ago, Damien F said:

I've been listening to Psycho in the background while coding and The Murder gave me a jump scare. It's still doing its job well after all these years.

Unfortunately the track lost its power completely for me since I rather associate it with its use in the cockroach episode of ALF than with the original movie.

[Kasey Kockroach 2,721]

[Jurassic Shark 16,373]

11 hours ago, GerateWohl said:

Unfortunately the track lost its power completely for me since I rather associate it with its use in the cockroach episode of ALF than with the original movie.

 

ALF?

[Edmilson 12,244]

2 minutes ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

ALF?

[Jurassic Shark 16,373]

Oh, that one. 

[Jurassic Shark 16,373]

On 21/01/2026 at 11:09 PM, Yavar Moradi said:

I enjoy First Knight a lot but it's often overly simplistic and a far cry from say, Lionheart. Also, I've always found Arthur's Fanfare to be a bit annoying.

 

Was there any issue with this release which was subsequently corrected? I ask because I have two copies with different numbers printed near the hole of the CD.

[Yavar Moradi 4,367]

1 hour ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

Was there any issue with this release which was subsequently corrected? I ask because I have two copies with different numbers printed near the hole of the CD.

Not that I recall; probably just different pressing batches.

 

Yavar

[Andy 7,565]

 

1 hour ago, Jurassic Shark said:

 

Was there any issue with this release which was subsequently corrected? I ask because I have two copies with different numbers printed near the hole of the CD.

 

I have issues with the mix of the bells being dialed down in the last 30 seconds of Promise Me! They took away the glory and power by dialing them down. 

 

I sometimes wonder if I’m the only one who perseverates on this. 

[Kasey Kockroach 2,721]

[crocodile 9,638]

Rocky and Rocky II by Bill Conti. I am listening to the playlist consisting of the first film's soundtrack album arranged into chronological order (Fanfare of Rocky combines two cues but still opens the playlist) as well as the film score programme from the sequel on the new Intrada album. It is all great stuff, as memorable as anything in film music history.

 

Karol

[Rachael Foley 10,032]

17 hours ago, Andy said:

 

 

I have issues with the mix of the bells being dialed down in the last 30 seconds of Promise Me! They took away the glory and power by dialing them down. 

 

I sometimes wonder if I’m the only one who perseverates on this. 

They put them back in the back where they belong.

 

 

 

 

[CinderTech 1,785]

 

Really should've put Eiger Sanction on as a refresher, but the heart was feeling this yet again

[Andy 7,565]

2 hours ago, Rachael Foley said:

They put them back in the back where they belong.

 

 

 

 

I hate when they mess with the balance of how things were mixed in the OST.  Clean it up, make it sound fuller, clearer whatever.  But keep all the levels the same. 

[Rachael Foley 10,032]

2 minutes ago, Andy said:

I hate when they mess with the balance of how things were mixed in the OST.  

 

Then they shouldn't fuck it up the first time.

[CinderTech 1,785]

 

I put it on anyway

[filmmusic 3,222]

 

Wow! 3 different genres here, and Bennett excels in all!

I wanted to listen to the Enchanted April soundtrack (of which we have a suite here, but it must be the complete score), because I watched the film yesterday and I found them (both score and film)... well, enchanting!

But the Partita (classical music) is also great (I thought, if he wrote as well as in this in his film music - although to be frank, I haven't listened to that many scores of his), and the jazz songs too were lovely!

[Sophie 101]

22 hours ago, CinderTech said:

 

I put it on anyway

Really hope they rerelease this

[Andy 7,565]

The Right Dolph

 

 

Hey there’s a new MOTU movie coming out so let’s revisit the old one.  Bill Conti turns out an active score that’s better than it should be but not as good as it could be?  Definitely some shades of The Right Stuff mixed in with his homage to Holst.  I really like the He-Man theme - over the top heroic and could’ve been utilized more.  It’s best when it leans into those gladiator like horn intervals.  Same with the swirling fanfares in Skeletor’s  theme which sounds like it could come from a Biblical epic. But there is one thing missing from this barbaric joy fest and that is some clanging percussion.  He-Man is a cousin to Conan, and this score would’ve benefited from some heavy anvil and sharper timpani to give it that Barbaric steel.  Can’t help but wonder what Basil Poledouris would’ve done with this.  Not hard to imagine I suppose after two Conans, two Robocops, and Flesh and Blood.  But I’m glad Conti got a chance to do a Star Wars ripoff and I’d never want to take that away.  It’s a good if not great listen.  I think the OST seemed to have all I needed after listening to both the complete score and album presentation. 

[Rachael Foley 10,032]

16 minutes ago, Andy said:

The Right Dolph

 

 

Hey there’s a new MOTU movie coming out so let’s revisit the old one.  Bill Conti turns out an active score that’s better than it should be but not as good as it could be?  Definitely some shades of The Right Stuff mixed in with his homage to Holst.  I really like the He-Man theme - over the top heroic and could’ve been utilized more.  It’s best when it leans into those gladiator like horn intervals.  Same with the swirling fanfares in Skeletor’s  theme which sounds like it could come from a Biblical epic. But there is one thing missing from this barbaric joy fest and that is some clanging percussion.  He-Man is a cousin to Conan, and this score would’ve benefited from some heavy anvil and sharper timpani to give it that Barbaric steel.  Can’t help but wonder what Basil Poledouris would’ve done with this.  Not hard to imagine I suppose after two Conans, two Robocops, and Flesh and Blood.  But I’m glad Conti got a chance to do a Star Wars ripoff and I’d never want to take that away.  It’s a good if not great listen.  I think the OST seemed to have all I needed after listening to both the complete score and album presentation. 

Your clanging percussion, you will not need them.

 

 

[crocodile 9,638]

10 hours ago, Andy said:

The Right Dolph

 

 

Hey there’s a new MOTU movie coming out so let’s revisit the old one.  Bill Conti turns out an active score that’s better than it should be but not as good as it could be?  Definitely some shades of The Right Stuff mixed in with his homage to Holst.  I really like the He-Man theme - over the top heroic and could’ve been utilized more.  It’s best when it leans into those gladiator like horn intervals.  Same with the swirling fanfares in Skeletor’s  theme which sounds like it could come from a Biblical epic. But there is one thing missing from this barbaric joy fest and that is some clanging percussion.  He-Man is a cousin to Conan, and this score would’ve benefited from some heavy anvil and sharper timpani to give it that Barbaric steel.  Can’t help but wonder what Basil Poledouris would’ve done with this.  Not hard to imagine I suppose after two Conans, two Robocops, and Flesh and Blood.  But I’m glad Conti got a chance to do a Star Wars ripoff and I’d never want to take that away.  It’s a good if not great listen.  I think the OST seemed to have all I needed after listening to both the complete score and album presentation. 

Correct. All these homages are fun but they don't have the "it" factor. Fortunately, a lot of the time, they were created at least by people who had some skill behind them.

 

Karol

[Kasey Kockroach 2,721]

[Rachael Foley 10,032]

"Shout here"?  

[Kasey Kockroach 2,721]

40 minutes ago, Rachael Foley said:

"Shout here"?  

Is my handwriting really that bad? 🥺

[Rachael Foley 10,032]

"The worst CD label handwriting you've ever seen"

[Kasey Kockroach 2,721]

[Rachael Foley 10,032]

I was just making a joke riff of your Skeleton line. Its not that bad.

 

[CinderTech 1,785]

That using the old Japanese CD release?

[Kasey Kockroach 2,721]

I do not attach my self-esteem my CD labeling ability, fortunately!

 

And you’re welcome to insult my playlists too, I can take you on!

[Rachael Foley 10,032]

5 minutes ago, CinderTech said:

That using the old Japanese CD release?

Not sure, it might have just been the blue box.

6 minutes ago, Kasey Kockroach said:

I do not attach my self-esteem my CD labeling ability, fortunately!

 

And you’re welcome to insult my playlists too, I can take you on!

Me neither thankfully haha 

 

[Kasey Kockroach 2,721]

I edited T-Rex Rescue and Finale to have the fanfare at the end just like in the film!

 

…nah I’m kiddin’, I wouldn’t do that, but gradually decided I preferred Williams’ album edits/cue combinations, just adjusting the order a bit. Lost World, though, I wouldn’t change or remove a thing! 

[CinderTech 1,785]

 

I get the feeling Gia only used the Elfman Ock theme in NWH so much because it just keeps accidentally showing up elsewhere in his work, so he's essentially claimed it as his own at this point

 

Also boy is this era of the dude so full of life and energy. I'd really hate it if it was purely because of Simonec.

[Tom Guernsey 3,836]

Since the recent re-release of the Elmer Bernstein conducted version of Torn Curtain , I naturally decided to give the Joel McNeely version a go (I'm nothing if not mercurial like that). Since getting it, the Bernstein has become my go-to version as the performance is a touch snappier and the drier acoustic better suited to Herrmann's music.

 

The McNeely version has always been the black sheep of Varese's 90s/2000s Herrmann series, more due to its echoey acoustic than any serious issues with the performance. In regard to the latter, the NPO is especially excellent - notably the rich brass playing, which is particularly superb. I suppose you could argue that Herrmann - especially this sort of nervy Herrmann - could benefit from a less refined approach, but I love a deep, rich brass sound so I'm all in. Acoustics wise, it's only really much of an issue in the noisier passages, which unfortunately does include two rather important cues, the Prelude and The Killing. However, the slightly muddy "concert hall acoustic" (which, to be fair, most classical recordings don't actually have, - even ones recorded in concert) isn't otherwise nearly as bad as I remembered and its reputation suggests, and for the most part, it isn't really an issue at all.

 

I'm glad to have the original tracks from LLL's superb double release featuring what was recorded of Herrmann's score and Addison's replacement (which, while no Herrmann, has plenty to recommend), as well as the excellent Bernstein version. McNeely's recording makes a worthy companion despite the occasional acoustic shortcomings and is also the most comprehensive release of the three.

 

 

Related query... has anyone got the new release of the Bernstein recording? If so, is it worth an upgrade if you already have it from the FSM box?! Ta!

 

PS. Sorry, again, I can't remember who did the excellent custom cover below... if it was you, please tag yourself!

 

[Andy 7,565]

On 19/4/2026 at 2:33 PM, Kasey Kockroach said:

 

On 19/4/2026 at 3:33 PM, Rachael Foley said:

Not sure, it might have just been the blue box.

Me neither thankfully haha 

 

We should have a disc art competition 

[Edmilson 12,244]

Mrs. Doubtfire by Howard Shore

 

For some reason, the thought of Shore doing a lighthearted comedy for kids was as alien to me as John Williams scoring a Friday the 13th sequel. I know Shore has done some of those flicks besides Mrs. Doubtfire (like Big, probably his first non-Cronenberg Hollywood success), but it still seems weird. Might be the numerous dark & disturbing Cronenberg body horror and serial killer thrillers he has done over the years (and LOTR trilogy is also less kid-friendly than the Star Wars OT was back in its day).

 

Well, once I freed myself out of this resistance, I pressed play on this. It's not bad, pretty fun and lighthearted, with lots of twinkling pianos and wholesome orchestrations. But it doesn't sound anything like Shore, though. More like something Alan Silvestri would've written for such movies back in the day.

 

Solo: A Star Wars Story by the two best Johns in Hollywood these days

 

This is actually pretty good. Better than I remembered. I love how, despite Williams helping out, this is a John Powell score through and through.

 

Sorry, Gia, Göransson and all those endless Kevin Kiner scores, but is the best non-Williams (in this case, partially non-Williams ) Star Wars ever made.

 

Now, do an Indiana Jones spin-off starring Ke Huy Quan as a grown-up, martial arts specialist Short Round, following Indy's footsteps and searching for lost treasures worldwide (but fighting his enemies with kung fu), and put John Williams to write a new theme and Powell to do the rest of the score.

[Rachael Foley 10,032]

Now do Nobody's Fool.

[Edmilson 12,244]

1 hour ago, Rachael Foley said:

Now do Nobody's Fool.

I said "comedy for kids", not "comedy for the elderly" 

 

(But I might still check NF anyway, even if I personally think it fits Shore's career more than Mrs Doubtfire)

[filmmusic 3,222]

29 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

(But I might still check NF anyway, even if I personally think it fits Shore's career more than Mrs Doubtfire)

It's quite good (and the film too, which I own in 4k).

These 2 scores, are among the very very few non-Lord of the Rings Howard Shore scores I liked.

[Naïve Old Fart 12,908]

NOBODY'S FOOL is a lovely little film.

I remember zero about the score.

[Tallguy 7,285]

10 hours ago, Edmilson said:

Solo: A Star Wars Story by the two best Johns in Hollywood these days

 

This is actually pretty good. Better than I remembered. I love how, despite Williams helping out, this is a John Powell score through and through.

 

Sorry, Gia, Göransson and all those endless Kevin Kiner scores, but is the best non-Williams (in this case, partially non-Williams ) Star Wars ever made.

 

Now, do an Indiana Jones spin-off starring Ke Huy Quan as a grown-up, martial arts specialist Short Round, following Indy's footsteps and searching for lost treasures worldwide (but fighting his enemies with kung fu), and put John Williams to write a new theme and Powell to do the rest of the score.

 

You ever listen to a moment in a score and think "Gee, I wish the movie had been this good?" 1:35 in The Millennium Falcon sounds like the "love at first sight" moment we should have gotten when Han sees The Falcon. Not the muddy nearly in the dark scene we got in the film. The super-nerd in me tries to complain that it shouldn't be Luke's / The Star Wars Theme. But the rest of me is having too much fun to listen.

[CinderTech 1,785]