ComposerEthan 8 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 It's been years since I've posted, but I gotta say I'm not the biggest fan of the score. My main complaint is the Imperial/Krennic theme. It's super close to his theme for InGen in JW, which doesn't do it for me as Bad Guy themes. Something more akin to General Grievous's theme or even that motif in Enter Lord Vader is much more menacing and militaristic (without having to be the Imperial march) would be better. Hell, he should've developed the short Imperial Motif from ANH for Krennic and it would've been better. His theme for RO seems too try hard and generic bad guy without any true menace. crumbs 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Cerebral Cortex 3,357 Posted December 15, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2016 One thing this score did do for me was make me more pumped for Williams' Episode VIII score, heh heh. Bofur01, MikeH, justaguy and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 4 minutes ago, ChewyBomber said: My english skills are limited, I don't understand this "millennial" Using Google Translate didn't help me unfortunately... How old are you? I think younger people will like this score more than older people (sort of what TGP was getting at) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan 689 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 8 minutes ago, ChewyBomber said: I'm the only one who likes that score And the Imperial Theme is great!! Nope and there is nothing wrong with that. It's a very very good Star Wars spin-off score with decent themes. The suggestion that you must somehow be a millennial to enjoy it is actually rather off too! DarthDementous 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy 2,396 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 On 15/12/2016 at 9:30 PM, Jay said: How old are you? I think younger people will like this score more than older people (sort of what TGP was getting at) Found the meaning of what you wanted to tell me, and you're right, I'm a "millennial", I'm 21. I loved the movie and its score yesterday, and I didn't think the score was generic or anything like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerebral Cortex 3,357 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 1 minute ago, dfenton85 said: It's strange complaining about Gia's themes when only a few hours ago I was loving the Yorktown and Jaylah' theme suites on the STB deluxe. This is me exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 30 minutes ago, Jay said: You are so full of yourself! Just don't take it seriously! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I think if you've never heard a Giacchino score before, you'd like this score more, because it would all seem very fresh. But if you've heard all his scores, its quickly apparent how much of his older material he reworked for this one. Probably because of the time crunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ComposerEthan 8 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 1 minute ago, Jay said: I think if you've never heard a Giacchino score before, you'd like this score more, because it would all seem very fresh. But if you've heard all his scores, its quickly apparent how much of his older material he reworked for this one. Probably because of the time crunch. That was me and my roommate. We've been listening to the score and we see rehashes and his typical techniques all over the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy 2,396 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 You're right I guess. The only Giacchino scores I've listened to are Super 8 and Jurassic World. I haven't heard Star Trek or anything else so I understand why it might sound like a rework. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jay 37,373 Posted December 15, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2016 Yea. And please don't let us jaded types take away from your enjoyment of it - I'm seriously glad you enjoy it Will, BuzzLightyear, Cerebral Cortex and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien F 1,742 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 29 minutes ago, Jay said: I think if you've never heard a Giacchino score before, you'd like this score more, because it would all seem very fresh. But if you've heard all his scores, its quickly apparent how much of his older material he reworked for this one. Probably because of the time crunch. I think the time crunch massively affected the quality of this score Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Just now, BloodBoal said: If it's on the OST, the only track I could see it appear in is Star-Dust (based on the track titles, it's the only one featuring music from a scene where the character is in). I'm guessing it could be the four-note motif starting at 00:13 and repeated onwards. Though that motif sounds an awful lot like the beginning of Jyn's theme, so maybe it has nothing to do with Gerrera. Where did you read about that 5th theme anyway? A Giacchino interview? @EhTar told me... And just told me it's at 0:56 of Trust Goes Both Ways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Ah, yes! Now I remember that scene. He could be right. Though I don't hear much of a theme. It's more specific instruments for the character than an actual melody (if there's a theme, I guesss it would be the short motif at 01:17, that is repeated a few times in this track). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Shore 83 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 5/10 Not a bad score, but not impressive. And why the horrible sound? The mix of TFA was superb!! And the crescendos...MEH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Not Mr. Big and crumbs 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I only heard a few tracks but I already have doubt that he'll be scoring another Star Wars, or at least we can lay to rest any fears they'd want to replace JW prematurely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aj_vader 534 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 1 hour ago, ChewyBomber said: I'm the only one who likes that score And the Imperial Theme is great!! I really like the new Imperial Theme. although I think they should have used the Imperial March and this new Imperial Theme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodBoal 7,538 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Pieter Boelen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Shore 83 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 The new Imperial Motif is very funny...because its like a RIP OFF of a theme of spanish composer ROQUE BAÑOS for the TORRENTE'S SAGA : Torrente's theme ( major mode) And this is a video of the Recording Sessions: The percusion, the powerful brass...even the transition!! Barnald 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuzzLightyear 143 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I just saw the movie and I really like the score. I think Giacchino was a very good choice to compose for this film. Great work!! leeallen01 and Will 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Commencing first listen!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien F 1,742 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 7 hours ago, Jay said: 02 A Long Ride Ahead 3:56 A little brass flourish in here reminded me of Kylo Ren's theme from TFA. Some typical Giacchino action begins halfway through... I feel like I'm in a spy movie not a Star Wars movie, though! Yorktown Jyn's Theme sounds nice after that.... then OH MY GOD. The ending of this track is ridiculous, like the scene was temp-tracked with the Main Star Wars theme, and he had to do a pastiche of it here. It sounds just as silly as the Imperial Suite, my god.... That part is played over the main title logo and my heart sank when I heard it in the cinema. Such a musically lackluster moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marian Schedenig 8,208 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Interesting that Jay didn't mention Spoiler the two statements of the Death Star motif in When Has Become Now and the Imperial Attack music and Leia's theme in Hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Huh. I just got home from work, and the Rogue One OST was in my mailbox. Meaning it'd been there since around 10-11am or so. So Amazon broke the release date? Anyone else in the US receive their physical copy today? Wow, that FSM poster wasn't joking, there actually is a list of pun titles in the booklet! Wow! Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giftheck 917 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 I've not given a proper listen yet. I'm kind of holding off listening to the majority of it until I see the film tomorrow. I might like the score, I might not. I'm reading a lot of "he's overworked" in this. Personally, I don't think this will be his last Star Wars score, but Disney might try to give him a rest for a while: he's done three scores for them this year, and they all seem to have gotten some mixed response (I loved Zootopia and Doctor Strange is growing on me - but I think STB was his best this year, and it's definitely the one with the most effort IMO). They risk turning him into the new Hans Zimmer if they keep this up. And he's going to work on Spider-Man Homecoming next, so it's three Disney films in a row for him. Perhaps Disney should say, "You know what, Michael? Take a break. Have half a year off." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex 2,835 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Is the score available to listen to anywhere for people in the UK yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy 2,396 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 It's available on Spotify here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loert 2,515 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 3:31 of "Star-Dust"; Rogue flautist spotted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bofur01 245 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 10 minutes ago, alextrombone94 said: Is the score available to listen to anywhere for people in the UK yet? I can't find it anywhere; Presumably, it'll be released on iTunes soon though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex 2,835 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 12 minutes ago, ChewyBomber said: It's available on Spotify here! Not for me it isn't 🙁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justaguy 68 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 I have listened to the score twice now and was not particularly impressed, or repulsed, by anything. It's definitely a very solid soundtrack (and mediocre Star Wars soundtrack), but I don't predict revisiting it very often. I am quite sure it works great in the context of movie. The thing I regret the most is that Rogue One gig didn't go to much more capable hands of, say... Gordy Haab! What a lost opportunity! The least we would get is a very competent Williams' pastiche. And almost certainly something much, much better. Oh well... Damien F 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bofur01 245 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 33 minutes ago, alextrombone94 said: Not for me it isn't 🙁 It's on iTunes now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,373 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 1 hour ago, Jay said: Anyone else in the US receive their physical copy today? Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien F 1,742 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 9 hours ago, Jay said: 11 Rebellions Are Built on Hope 2:56 45 seconds of forgetful underscore until Jyn's Theme returns for a bit.... then I thought the main Star Wars theme was starting in a nice solo horn passage... but nope, it was a tease, just the first 2 notes or so, then it went off in a diferrent direction. Is this another theme from the score I hadn't picked up on until now? Then we're back to more Jyn's theme (is this theme ALL OVER the movie too, or did he just pick every cue that contained it for the album program?) Ends with a nice subdued version of Yorktown Jyn's Theme. Believe it or not, this is the same theme at the very end of 'A Long Ride Ahead'. It is played over the movie's logo at the end of the prologue. It is so bland I couldn't believe it when I heard it at that moment in the cinema. I'm really surprised Gia was happy with it to play at such an important moment given how the Star Wars logo is usually accompanied with JW's main theme. Time constraints must have contributed to this. It also appears in the middle of the Jyn/Hope suite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barnald 365 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 2 hours ago, Alex Shore said: The new Imperial Motif is very funny...because its like a RIP OFF of a theme of spanish composer ROQUE BAÑOS for the TORRENTE'S SAGA : I've yet to hear Giacchino's theme, but at least this would suggest he has some taste. Love the Torrente movies. Alex Shore 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheUlyssesian 2,478 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 Remember we were joking in the first released clip that the cresendo sounded like it was going to play Yorktown and someone even edited them together. Well here it is, Jyn's theme is indeed similar to Yorktown. And it uses the one phrase I liked in Yorktown over and over. Arpy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Marian Schedenig 8,208 Posted December 16, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2016 There's a sneaky statement of a Hoth AT-AT bit at 0:32 in AT-ACT Assault. Damien F, Will, Cerebral Cortex and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien F 1,742 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 8 hours ago, Jay said: 18 Hope 1:38 Is this the last cue in the film, something from the end credits, or another suite? It's got a huge choral passage in the first half. The scond half has a pretty silly sounding martial version of the Imperial March, a brief runthrough of the Imperial Motif, then another new Force Theme passage to end things. This is the very last cue of the movie just before the end credits. 7 minutes ago, Marian Schedenig said: There's a sneaky statement of a Hoth AT-AT bit at 0:32 in AT-ACT Assault. There is a slightly more obvious statement of the Hoth AT-AT staccato piano notes played very briefly on brass that I heard in the movie. Didn't hear it on the OST though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLopeK 0 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 6 hours ago, Jay said: Jyn's theme (beginning and end of "Jyn Erso & Hope Suite" Rebellion / Hope theme (middle of "Jyn Erso & Hope Suite") Imperial theme / Krennic's Theme ("Imperial Suite") Chirrut's theme ("Guardian of the Whils Suite") I have seen the movie. Track "A long ride ahead" 3:36 contains this rebellion theme new fanfare. In the film sounds several times! Quote I've read there's a fifth theme, a theme for Saw Gerrera. Where is that on the album? No theme for Saw gerrera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Will 2,215 Posted December 16, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2016 My Informal Thoughts I just finished my first listen to the OST a little bit ago. I loved it, particularly the opening half or so. There were some absolutely glorious moments, and I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I didn't mind the title theme. I actually loved it, to be honest, although, obviously, liking stuff like that may have more to do with the general "awesome march with swashbuckling percussion" aesthetic than any sort of compositional genius. It's unfortunate to see the reactions from many of the more musically knowledgeable members here. As they put it, at best I'm loving a terrible score, and at worst I'm contributing to the decline of good film music by doing it. My enthusiasm has massively deflated as I finished up the album and then came over to JWFan, likely due both to losing endurance to finish the score, as happens with any score, and the myriad highly negative posts. I've almost wondered whether I should avoid saying anything positive, just so a million of you don't start refuting my post sentence by sentence. But, I will be honest, and say that I loved this score, certainly at least the first half before I started to lose "listening endurance" -- or possibly the music just became worse, or maybe a little of both. Jyn's theme was marvelous. I actually didn't mind the Yorktown similarity at all. Jyn's theme was actually better IMO, anyway. Several of the early statements really made me go "Wow!!" The Yorktown theme was very nice, but I never really found it completely satisfying, and Jyn's theme took what I loved about Yorktown and added what I'd been yearning for. The orchestration is more interesting too. Wooo! I actually think fans will love this score for that theme. It's absolutely massive, which, whether you like it or not, might be enough for general SW fandom. It might take time but I feel like it will get a great reaction. (As a side note, there is a bit of a problem here of Giacchino throwing all sorts of massive thematic statements at us early in the score -- there's not much to build up to, and don't tell me, "It's building up to a rendition with choir!") I do actually like a lot those crescendos that people are complaining about (the ones that sound a little like this Star Trek bit: https://youtu.be/ZJ0lt52_r7E?t=92) I do agree that the Imperial theme sounds a little too comedic, although perhaps its usage in the film will change that (e.g. some people thought the March of the Resistance sounded evil, until they saw the film). But, it was rather catchy, you have to give it that! Of course, it is also kind of bland -- it grows on you the more you listen to it, but it reminds of the Crash Decisions motif in that it's kind of catchy and sufficient, but somewhat bland. I did have one of the themes stuck in my head a little bit ago. Might be Jyn's theme. If not, it's Chirrut's theme. Speaking of Chirrut's theme, I didn't really think it sounded like Across the Stars. It was nice. I was glad that Giacchino largely held the choir back for special moments, rather than littering every cue with grating screeching voices. I thought the score fit very well with the Star Wars aesthetic. I know that the musically knowledgeable people here will surely vehemently disagree (particularly when you get down to the orchestrational, chord progression, voice leading, etc. nitty-gritty), but I thought the score felt very Williams-y. It really didn't feel all that much like the Giacchino I'm used to, save for a few extremely non-Williams-y but very Giacchino-y moments (for instance, the solo piano bit in the middle of the score), as well as some pedestrian action material (although other action material, such as "Rogue One," was pretty darn great). This score felt better, and more Williams-y. But at the same time, I didn't often notice a "pastiche" quality. It felt fresh, but Williams-y. There was also a "desert-y" sound to the beginning IMO. Maybe I was just making this up in my head since I was pretty sure that segment of the film took place in a desert ... but in any case I felt that there was a consistent "feel." You can tell you're in a North Africa-like environment, but at the same time rarely is this "shouted out." It's usually more subtle. Williams' themes were used tastefully, and there were some really cool moments with them. Really fun when you suddenly hear the Force theme in a cue! Oh, and rebel fanfare took a while to show up, what was up with that? On that note, I do need to say that it's possible my positive reaction is due in part to this simply being a SW film and score. I love SW. If this were some random video game score, and also totally avoided Williams theme references (which would bring it out of the SW universe a bit), I'm not sure how I'd rank it. This does not mean I don't stand by my opinion, but rather that I admit to being influenced by context with music, as I'm sure all are, some much more than others. Moving on, I haven't listened to all that much Giacchino, really, compared to most here. Beyond, Inside Out, Strange, and of course Rogue One for full OSTs, plus bits of the first two Treks, Jurassic World, Tomorrowland, and Zootopia. Jay has said that the score feels like "same-old" to those who've followed Giacchino for years, and perhaps this is true. Perhaps what feels like a step up to me is merely a return to some old norm. However, as I listened, I thought that this score is probably the best thing I've ever heard from Giacchino. I was hoping that perhaps the level of compositional intelligence as judged by those who can figure out that stuff would also be higher than ever, but, alas, it seems that Giacchino has received a failing grade as usual. And, frankly, it's hard to argue with those who can actually write music themselves and/or have listened to thousands more scores than you have when you can barely figure out what instruments are playing, and are a recent entrant to film music fandom. That's my two cents for now. I'll listen again, and am very excited for the film when I see it Saturday ... but I will say that it's quite deflating when you want to have lots of positive discussion of a score and most people don't like it. This will be no TFA-style discussion, that's for sure. More like The BFG, except possible more negative. And, unlike with The BFG, I don't have some sort of "high ground" to claim, since apparently Giacchino's level of compositional intelligence here is absurdly low. (I assume it is possible that someone very musically knowledgeable with come out and say they love the score and that it's actually rather intelligent, but I doubt that will happen.) In terms of unreleased music, I have a feeling that there's a ton. Even some of the preview clip stuff is missing, and there's no way the final battle is only made up of a few cues. Listen two commences now! (although it may finish tomorrow) EDIT: Not sure how well this score will hold up to repeated listens. Perhaps I'm just "music-ed out" for the night, though. Also, I'm sure seeing the film will put everything in a whole new light, as it always does. curlytoot, leeallen01, DarthDementous and 7 others 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted December 16, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2016 It's all well and good to have discussions where we pretend to have unassailable objective perspectives from which to judge shit, but what does that ultimately mean? Very little. If you like something, then to the extent that such a designation of quality is relevant or necessary, it's good. Ignore anything that sullies that. leeallen01, Taikomochi, Jilal and 3 others 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 Jedha Arrival opening sounds a little like the Jedi Steps opening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuBen_Kenobi 19 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 34 minutes ago, Will said: Jyn's theme was marvelous. I actually didn't mind the Yorktown similarity at all. Jyn's theme was actually better IMO, anyway. Several of the early statements really made me go "Wow!!" The Yorktown theme was very nice, but I never really found it completely satisfying, and Jyn's theme took what I loved about Yorktown and added what I'd been yearning for. Wooo! I think the same. 34 minutes ago, Will said: I do agree that the Imperial theme sounds a little too comedic, although perhaps its usage in the film will change that (e.g. some people thought the March of the Resistance sounded evil, until they saw the film). But, it was rather catchy, you have to give it that! Of course, it is also kind of bland -- it grows on you the more you listen to it, but it reminds of the Crash Decisions motif in that it's kind of catchy and sufficient, but somewhat bland. I think it sounds too much "nazi" or Medal of Honor, but it works great in the film for me. 34 minutes ago, Will said: Speaking of Chirrut's theme, I didn't really think it sounded like Across the Stars. It was nice. Same for me. 34 minutes ago, Will said: In terms of unreleased music, I have a feeling that there's a ton. Even some of the preview clip stuff is missing, and there's no way the final battle is only made up of a few cues. Yes, probably we have in the cd soundtrack only half of the score. Great post Will! I do enjoy the music, and share a lot of your opinions! But, the main difference is that I am a big Giacchino fan ;). Will 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo 3,709 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 6 hours ago, Prerecorded Briefing said: I have to echo Marcus here. Mark this post well, because seldom do you see such prophecy. This score will be looked at as the seminal moment in the start of a new slew of mediocre "traditional scoring." This is it. The time of bland textural music is about over. The big drums will disappear. People have finally gotten sick of it. Now, it's time to give them back what was so cruelly taken from them, but it won't be given back intact. Instead, we are in for an unknown number of years being force fed mangled, surface level imitations of 80's and 90's blockbuster music. The few greats, both new and old, will not be asked to participate in this. Too old, or too dangerous. Best to leave it to the decent number of eager up and comers out there who will far more readily bend the knee and provide the fluff exactly as requested. And isn't it something how Disney is behind both much of the previous phase of mediocrity, and now the coming one? Witness the swift killer of art which is money. Congratulations to all who so nobly and silently suffered through the Zimmer dark ages. Your prayers have been heard. Are you prepared for the answer? I'll take the score to Rogue One over the Dark Knight Rises any day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dixon Hill 4,234 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 That's because you're a shit eating twat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damien F 1,742 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 I saw the movie and listened to the OST a few times. Overall, it is a disappointment. I love the Yorktown theme, and as Jyn's theme is clearly cut from the same cloth, I do hear a musically appealing melody. To be fair, I have warmed to it after the initial criticism of its similarity to Yorktown and it does have some very nice renditions throughout the album. It is like The Jungle Book's similarity to Voyager. Despite its close similarity, it is still good music. The Imperial theme is a definite misstep. I like the orchestration of the 'The Imperial Suite' track but the melody itself is sub-standard. As Jay alluded to, it sounds like a cheap knock off of the imperial march and completely forgettable (I can't recall a single note despite watching the movie and a couple of OST listens). I will concede that it occasionally sounds better in the actual score, especially the opening track. The main theme (and I'm calling it that because it accompanies the shot of the movie's logo) is frustratingly bland and unmemorable. One of the biggest disappointments of the score. Its opening two notes are a clear not to Luke's theme but sadly nosedives in quality rather than continuing with JW's theme. This makes it especially frustrating because it is inviting a direct comparison with Luke's theme. However, I do love the 'Guardians of the Whillis' theme. That particular track is really very beautiful with a serene and noble quality. I like its action versions heard occasionally too in the score, and it was an instant positive when viewing the movie. There is a collection of tracks from about 12 to 16 which overall contain a nice sense of urgency and excitement, and the writing here is typical Giacchino and at least engaging. The problem is that the listening experience of the rest of the album's tracks is usually a brief thematic statement followed by long periods of completely dull and boring underscore. The main exception to this is the 8 minute 'Confrontation On Eadu' track in the middle of the album which does an OK job at maintaining interest. There is never any 'wow' factor in the underscore that I've enjoyed in other Giacchino scores. With the exception of that Guardians theme, the whole score fails to rise above serviceable 3 star material. The addition of The Imperial March in 'Hope' is rather clunky and doesn't really fit well. Therefore, the problem is that this score will probably be best enjoyed through personally edited suites which will probably omit a significant portion of the album. Comparable scores such as The Force Awakens or his Star Trek scores didn't have this issue and I'd easily listen to those OSTs end to end. I will be able to extract a fairly entertaining suite but it is really disappointing that I have to discard so much of the album to do this, especially for a Star Wars score. The timing of all this is a little surreal. Within the period of about 4 hours, I was absolutely loving the Star Trek Beyond deluxe release followed by considerable disappointment while watching Rogue One. I can't think of any other time where I had such opposing opinions of a composers work in such a short timeframe. 8 minutes ago, RuBen_Kenobi said: Great post Will! I do enjoy the music, and share a lot of your opinions! But, the main difference is that I am a big Giacchino fan ;). I'm a big Giacchino fan too, and I hear a lot of merits even in his less popular scores, but Rogue One has really underwhelmed me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuBen_Kenobi 19 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 2 minutes ago, Bilbo Skywalker said: I'll take the score to Rogue One over the Dark Knight Rises any day. Oranges and apples. Giacchino is my favourite composer but I also like Zimmer. But for Star Wars, there is no doubt that Michael has the correct sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will 2,215 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 I'm not sure if this is a "sign" of how Giacchino music just doesn't do it the way Williams' does, but I'm going to pause Rogue One and go listen to Soundings now. Actually, it probably has more to do with the jarring effect of listening to completely new music. I tend to listen to old favorites the most, so the "unfamiliarity" now can easily cause me to "lose my balance," so to speak. Particularly given the general lack of analysis of specific passages by others so far as well, and the fact that I haven't seen the film while many others have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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