Michael Giacchino's Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) - 2022 Expanded Edition now available

[Indianagirl 250]

I'll buy this probably from HDTracks. I know a lot of people don't like Giacchino here and I am very mixed on him myself. I'm also mixed on this score. I think some of it is very good and some of it sounded like it belonged in a Disney park. However, for the most part I do enjoy this score and the movie is probably my second favorite of the Disney era. 

[Groovygoth666 194]

8 minutes ago, lairdo said:

Well, that's out of the blue for sure. 

 

Strangely, I am not yet seeing lossless versions (HDTracks, Qobuz) yet. It's midnight in EST and Qobuz usually goes live at midnight France time. 

 

Anyway else seeing lossless for purchase links yet?

Still waiting for it to pop up in the UK.

20 minutes ago, Indianagirl said:

I'll buy this probably from HDTracks. I know a lot of people don't like Giacchino here and I am very mixed on him myself. I'm also mixed on this score. I think some of it is very good and some of it sounded like it belonged in a Disney park. However, for the most part I do enjoy this score and the movie is probably my second favorite of the Disney era. 

The first half is a little repetitive, Solo was a better effort. What's your favourite movie of the Disney era?

[Indianagirl 250]

This will be wildly unpopular but I maintain TLJ was the best made film of the Disney era

[greenturnedblue 258]

Odd, I thought this was the Rogue One thread

[Groovygoth666 194]

4 minutes ago, Indianagirl said:

This will be wildly unpopular but I maintain TLJ was the best made film of the Disney era

As far as plot and characterization goes I'd disagree, but in terms of visuals/cinematography, practical effects it is definitely the best of the Disney era, but as @greenturnedblue pointed out, this is the Rogue One score thread, not the star wars thread.

[Indianagirl 250]

I merely answered a question

[Groovygoth666 194]

5 minutes ago, Indianagirl said:

I merely answered a question

True, that's my bad, my attention span isn't what it used to be. Sorry for that.

[ManofDestiny 62]

If this release contain only track 1-51, there will be fewer complain.

[DarthDementous 872]

Does anyone have a link to the alternate version of A Long Ride Ahead? I don't see it on the album on YT Music.

[greenturnedblue 258]

And whats with the alternate opening of the Jyn Erso & Hope suite? sounds like its going to settle into Leias theme

[crocodile 6853]

Bought the lossless album from Qobuz this morning. For some reason can't paste the link though?

 

Ah yes, the long gap is indeed there. 😆

 

Karol

[Groovygoth666 194]

16 minutes ago, crocodile said:

Bought the lossless album from Qobuz this morning. For some reason can't paste the link though?

 

Ah yes, the long gap is indeed there. 😆

 

Karol

Is this the link? https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-michael-giacchino/togz2bb12dcva

[crocodile 6853]

Yes, it is indeed. I tried to paste it or imbed it and it wouldn't let me. 🤷‍♂️

 

Karol

[Giftheck 671]

Small thing putting together my own edit is that "We Have To Press The Attack" in the film and FYC seems to have a modified opening compared to the new set.

[Dave 104]

1 hour ago, greenturnedblue said:

And whats with the alternate opening of the Jyn Erso & Hope suite? sounds like its going to settle into Leias theme

 

Tracks 49 & 51 feature transitions to JW material.

[Imperivm 107]

Hello folks

 

I'm new to score-specific threads, as so far I've only been a lurker and made an account only to make contributions to the 2021 FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION Thread.

 

I see a lot of people missing to list all alternates and differences between the various releases and I think my contributions might be helpful.

Before going in, I have to admit that my ability to name specific instruments if pretty awful so don't be surprised if I wrongly call a trumpet or violin a different instrument and I apologize in advance.

 

Here we go:

 

Original Soundtrack / For Your Consideration Promo differences (not counting short crossfade edits)

 

• 2m14b Jedha City Ambush
  • Album has Original Version
  • FYC is labelled as Film Version: short edit + added guitar / synth (?) insert in the opening

• 5m30 Rebellion Are Built on Hope
  • Album has Original Version: has quieter trumpet (?), more integrated with the orchestra [1:09-1:39]
  • FYC is labelled as Film Version: louder trumpet (?) insert / different take [1:09-1:39]

•  6m43 The Master Switch
  • Album has Original Version: full violin (?) insert, starts at 2:21
  • FYC is labelled as Film Version: shorter violin (?) insert starts at 2:32

 

Other FYC tracks labelled as Film Versions:
 - 3m20 Today of All Days
 - 3m22 An Imperial Test of Power
 - 4m26 No Trust Among Rebels
 - 7m44 We Have to Press the Attack

 

 

For Your Consideration Promo / Expanded Soundtrack differences of aforementioned additional Film Version tracks

This is just a quick comparison, there may be more to them, this is just a first-glance look but enough to determine that there are actual differences

 

•  3m20 Today of All Days
  • Expanded adds opening strings insert
  • FYC opens with clean synth

• 3m22 An Imperial Test of Power
  • Expanded features alternate longer opening [0:00-1:08]
  • FYC features a different opening [0:00-0:21], actually mostly tracked from a later section of the track [1:36-1:51 in the FYC ver., 2:22-2:39 in the Expanded track] with a few edits (thanks @Chewy for pointing out)

• 4m26 No Trust Among Rebels
  • Expanded has extended intro absent from FYC [0:00-0:12 + 12s of silence]
  • FYC cuts the first 23 seconds of Expanded verion

• 7m44 We Have to Press the Attack
  • Expanded has original opening
  • FYC features a different opening [0:00-0:06], actually tracked from a pitch shifted section later in the same track [from 0:16 to 0:22 in both the FYC and Expanded track] (thanks again @Chewy for pointing out).

 

 

Other differences in the Expanded Soundtrack breakdown

 

• A Long Ride Ahead
  • "Alternate" in the Expanded features different ending [3:26-end], absent from OST and FYC

• Jedha City Ambush
  • Alternate: short edit + added guitar / synth (?) insert in the opening
  • FYC features the "Alternate", OST features the "Original"

• Rebellions Are Built on Hope
  • "Original" in the Expanded has louder / alternate take trumpet (?) [1:09-1:39]
  • "Alternate" in the Expanded has quieter trumpet (?), more integrated with the orchestra
  • FYC features the "Original", OST features the "Alternate"

• The Master Switch
  • Expanded features the FYC version with shorter violin (?) insert that starts at 2:32
  • Original version with full violin (?) insert missing from Expanded, featured only in the OST

• Scarif Antenna Alignment
  • "Alternate" features different percussions [2:00-2:27 in the "Original" track], absent from OST and FYC

• Jyn Erso & Hope Suite
  • "Alternate Open" features bridge used in the End Credits from Williams material to Giacchino suite, absent from OST and FYC

• Guardians of the Whills Suite
  • "Alternate Ending" features bridge used in the End Credits from Giacchino to Williams material, absent from OST and FYC

 

So in short, to have the most out of the currently released music, we need to keep the Expanded and add music from both the OST and FYC. And as I suspected, all the FYC tracks labelled as "FV" do actually have differences... even if most people just brush them off as identical to the original versions or simply crossfaded short edits.

 

As for the issues with the Scarif Antenna Alignment and the "butchered" End Credits I don't really see such big issues. If that abrupt intro to track 57 bothers you so much, just do a quick edit on Audacity.

As for the End Credits, I personally have no reason to be mad for its absence. The thought process was not "Let's have the end credits but butcher it for the sake of it" but rather "Let's keep it to Giacchino material and include the credits versions of the suites that feature those nice bridges to Williams material".

 

Could they have included the actual End Credits? Yes, of course, but this doesn't mean we have to misunderstand their intentions. The Blu-Ray is always there ready to be ripped.

[Chewy 1946]

2 minutes ago, Imperivm said:

• 3m22 An Imperial Test of Power
  • Expanded features alternate longer opening [0:00-1:08]
  • FYC has alternate opening [0:00-0:21]

 

The FYC opening is actually tracked from a later section of the same track [1:36-1:51]. The track on the expanded release presents the proper opening.

[Imperivm 107]

2 minutes ago, Chewy said:

 

The FYC opening is actually tracked from a later section of the same track [1:36-1:51]. The track on the expanded release presents the proper opening.

 

Thanks for the correction, I'll edit my reply to include the information

[Chewy 1946]

17 minutes ago, Imperivm said:

• 7m44 We Have to Press the Attack
  • Expanded has original opening
  • FYC features brassy insert on top of original recording [0:00-0:06]

 

The different thing appearing on the FYC is not an insert. They actually pitch shifted down the section from 0:16 to 0:22 and edited it in the opening of the cue.

 

As a proof, the spectrogram shows that higher frequencies were lost because of the pitch shifting:

 

So once again I guess the track on the expanded release features the original and only version of the cue  

[Imperivm 107]

Thanks again!

Despite my efforts in listing all differences, these are the kinds of subtleties that I tend to miss and overlook.

 

I edited the information on both tracks and credited you for them.

[pete 698]

Which tracks have 20 plus seconds of silence? 

[Alan 637]

A very welcome surprise! Also, worth noting that this confirms Disney are willing to shell out for a complete Star Wars score recorded in LA. Safe to assume then that union issues need not prevent the sequel trilogy scores being expanded.

[Richard Penna 2504]

Finally gave a few tracks a quick listen. The silence in track is very bizarre, but I stand by my view - it's so easily fixed.

 

The opening of the last track... I find it hard to understand how someone decided that was the best way to present the cue, instead of just putting on the entire track. That is very surprising for a Disney release.

[Archive Collection 105]

2 hours ago, Imperivm said:

 

• 2m14b Jedha City Ambush
  • Album has Original Version
  • FYC is labelled as Film Version: short edit + added guitar / synth (?) insert in the opening

The inclusion of an “alternate” (in fact the film version) is something of an anomaly.

 

It’s 1 min shorter than the original cue - and it’s clear that the cue was shortened by the music editors, since there’s a pretty conspicuous cross fade a few seconds in.

 

I believe that the cue was meant to start earlier in the scene (which, in film, is un-scored for a minute or so). The remaining part of the scene is underscored by the final minute of the cue - which would indicate that music was intended for that section of the sequence, and the opening few bars were tacked onto the beginning for the sake of musical coherence.

 

The mix/edit heard in the film, and on the FYC is identical to the one labelled as an “alternate”.

The only differences between the album version and alternate are (1) the duration of the cue (a minute of music is removed roughly 10-15 secs into the cue) and (2) the inclusion of electric guitar and bass guitar in the mix. I don’t believe these layers were an overdub, as you can faintly hear both instruments bleeding through the album mix (which lacks the guitar and bass). So it would seem that these instruments were recorded at the same time as the orchestra and mixed out for the album version.

 

So - in this new album, why didn’t they include the complete film mix, with the guitar and bass, in its full duration as a track in the main program?

 

I’d speculate that this is due to legal technicalities, rather than a deliberate decision on the part of whoever assembled the album. They almost certainly had access to the original mix (not the version heard on the album) - but perhaps they couldn’t include it as it was ostensibly the same piece as the one heard on the OST. Perhaps this would be an issue with streaming platforms, which often mix up different versions of the same song when they are not clearly labelled. Perhaps their only option was to include the music as heard in the film.

 

Or perhaps the record label was obligated to include the original album mixes wherever appropriate and possible, and include any new material as completely new tracks.

 

This is pure speculation and educated guessing - I don’t claim to have any insider knowledge of how this album was assembled!

 

Either way, the absence of the original mix of Jedha City Ambush is somewhat baffling, but isn’t too significant on the whole.

3 minutes ago, Richard Penna said:

Finally gave a few tracks a quick listen. The silence in track is very bizarre, but I stand by my view - it's so easily fixed.

 

The opening of the last track... I find it hard to understand how someone decided that was the best way to present the cue, instead of just putting on the entire track. That is very surprising for a Disney release.

It seems like there was either a mistake in the process of delivering the final masters, or perhaps no-one even noticed…? It’s an oddity, but it’s so easily fixed in Audacity, so I’m not going to complain to much!

[Richard Penna 2504]

Yes, indeed - there's nothing in this release that can't be quickly patched up.

 

Either some editor does the work and no one checks the final result, or they didn't think that presenting a partial track like this was an issue. But I agree with you that this is not grounds to describe the set, as some have, as 'zero effort'.

[Jay 30970]

Here's every digital music retailer / streamer I can find this at today - if anybody knows other places, please share!

 

https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-michael-giacchino/togz2bb12dcva

https://us.7digital.com/artist/michael-giacchino/release/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-original-motion-picture-soundtrackexpanded-edition-19966853

https://tidal.com/browse/album/215222265

https://music.apple.com/us/album/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-original-motion-picture/1608226285

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RSJT5BV

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l7drwI56XtKyskm8KceyubqspjOTLsPgU

https://soundcloud.com/michael-giacchino/sets/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-1

https://open.spotify.com/album/4JGKaJPhIe61sSaaWGemw7?si=SbGPdWhkREu-E9gtjpHW3Q

[Giftheck 671]

Giacchino uploaded it to SoundCloud too: https://soundcloud.com/michael-giacchino/sets/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story-1

 

[Jay 30970]

Added

[Tallguy 1514]

So given the "end credits" alternates with the transitions into / out of Star Wars did they re-record the Star Wars parts of the end credits or just drop in the original music?

[Bespin 6820]

3 minutes ago, Tallguy said:

So given the "end credits" alternates with the transitions into / out of Star Wars did they re-record the Star Wars parts of the end credits or just drop in the original music?

 

I asked this question to myself too (in fact I never listened to the film End Credits of the movie until yesterday).

 

Anyway, that's enough litigious it seems to prevent any official release on record!

[Ollie 860]

1 hour ago, Tallguy said:

So given the "end credits" alternates with the transitions into / out of Star Wars did they re-record the Star Wars parts of the end credits or just drop in the original music?

I believe there was an interview with Giacchino where he mentioned they used Williams original sketches from Episode 4 and recorded it. 

[Tallguy 1514]

23 minutes ago, Ollie said:

I believe there was an interview with Giacchino where he mentioned they used Williams original sketches from Episode 4 and recorded it. 

 

A new recording and we don't get it. The prequels used the same recording of the main title and we got all of those. (I don't remember which ones were not new performances.) 

 

OTOH, I'm really enjoying the expanded Rogue One. Glad to have it. But yeah, some things are weird. 

 

I was thinking (over thinking?) about the frequent use of the Force (Ben's) theme even when there are no nearly Jedi about. It feels like the way Williams meant the Throne Room to be: as an echo of the Republic. Or it was the most memorable theme that wasn't Luke's theme and it fits the tone of the film. What do I know? 

[Jay 30970]

4 minutes ago, Tallguy said:

(I don't remember which ones were not new performances.) 

 

Williams recorded the main title anew for each of Star Wars, Empire, and Jedi.

 

Williams recorded it anew for Phantom Menace, and then Lucas tracked that into Clones and Sith instead of having him record new ones

 

Williams recorded it anew for Force Awakens, and then it got tracked into the final film and albums for Last Jedi, even though Rian Johnson actually had him record it anew at the TLJ sessions and shared the entire performance on vimeo

 

Then he recorded it anew again for Rise of Skywalker

[Bespin 6820]

JW use The Force Theme, as The Force Theme... you didn't watch The Last Jedi do you??? The Force theme is played in almost every cue!!!

[paleo 29]

I can't find this on Amazon.de. They seem to often delay releases that should be available and are available elsewhere these days. Or did I miss something in this case? No release in Germany? 

[Jay 30970]

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09RSRQWKC

[Smaug The Iron 436]

Just finish listening to it. I think it is okey, some tracks are great but as a whole its just fine. Not one of my favorite Giacchino or Star Wars scores. I always thought that the highlights where on the OST so I didn't care if this get an exdended/deluxe version (unlike Williams and Powell where I defenetly wants it) but it is nice to have the complete score. 

[WampaRat 1095]

Haven’t listened to this score since it came out. Man, I forgot how jarring the “pseudo-Lukes theme” is when the fanfare starts at the end of “Long Road ahead.” Kinda makes me bristle a tad. I much prefer the alternate. Glad that was included. The rest of the score remains decent Giacchino for me. Hasn’t really changed my opinion. Happy this got an official release though and pray it’s door opening for expansions of Williams saga scores!

[MrJosh 651]

I gave this a listen and had an enjoyable time. 

 

I've never overly loved nor disliked this score, I'm somewhere in the middle. There are moments I like and moments that I don't. Overall, I'm happy that we have this expansion, despite the weird silences and very jarring track 57 start. Yes, I think there should have been more quality and finesse put into it. 

 

So aside from missing source music, it's also missing what Elvisjones described as being the copy/pasted Williams material which then had to be rewritten. Unless those things were changed before the actual recording of the score. If those stories are true then I guess it makes sense that they wouldn't be released. But, seeing as this is kind of just a dump of a folder of the sessions, I was hoping there would have been some sign of something like that on here. 

[MedigoScan 271]

1 hour ago, Smaug The Iron said:

Just finish listening to it. I think it is okey, some tracks are great but as a whole its just fine. Not one of my favorite Giacchino or Star Wars scores. I always thought that the highlights where on the OST so I didn't care if this get an exdended/deluxe version (unlike Williams and Powell where I defenetly wants it) but it is nice to have the complete score. 

The FYC added some much needed parts I feel. And the expanded soundtrack had a few more that I enjoyed (I just like that Jedha riff a lot). I agree that I didnt really long for it, but it is nice nonetheless.. and a good omen.

(A new hope, dohohohoho)

[crocodile 6853]

I think the score is quite consistently entertaining from start to finish. I mentioned that before, even earlier today, but it brings back the fond memories of older Giacchino scores for video games (MOH and SWON). It has that slightly harsh WWII vibe that fits the film well. I don't think this is any worse than those, to be perfectly honest, so it is puzzling for me so many people cannot connect to this score. Perhaps, it is because this sort of Williams pastiche is now directly following in maestro's footsteps? True, this is nowhere near JW in terms of quality, and also below John Powell's score, but is it really a disaster? To me, this is as entertaining and fun as Giacchino music gets.

 

I modified the playlist slightly to address a few minor issues with this release. And I'm quite happy.  😊 

 

Karol

[LSH 777]

I’ll give this a listen at some point but I’m not in any rush. I’m not a fan of Giacchino in general though this is one of my very few favourites of his (still faint praise). A lot of it is likely due to my love of the film but I still can’t forgive him for that dreadful handling of the Force theme.

[Tallguy 1514]

43 minutes ago, LSH said:

I’ll give this a listen at some point but I’m not in any rush. I’m not a fan of Giacchino in general though this is one of my very few favourites of his (still faint praise). A lot of it is likely due to my love of the film but I still can’t forgive him for that dreadful handling of the Force theme.

 

What's so bad? I mean, partly I think the theme is bullet proof. But I also don't think he misuses it anywhere.

 

I had another thought about it this morning: Williams used Ben's theme as the sole "good guy" theme for all of the battle of Yavin until Biggs is killed and Luke is on his own. It's used as a statement for the x-wings for crying out loud! So now I have zero problem with it's use in Rogue One. Precedent!

 

Listening this morning I remembered how fantastic I think his Guardians of the Whills theme is.

[LSH 777]

29 minutes ago, Tallguy said:

What's so bad? I mean, partly I think the theme is bullet proof. But I also don't think he misuses it anywhere.

 

[crocodile 6853]

Yeah, it is, bit awkward. But if we can forgive Don Davis' sped up jolly treatment of JP fanfare... 🤣

 

Karol

[Edmilson 4497]

1 hour ago, LSH said:

I still can’t forgive him for that dreadful handling of the Force theme

Me neither, it's an awful version. I don't blame Williams for not wanting Gia near his themes after hearing this.

 

I like Giacchino, but Rogue One... Meh, not for me.

[Disco Stu 15468]

8 minutes ago, Edmilson said:

. I don't blame Williams for not wanting Gia near his themes after hearing this.

 

As I understand it, Williams never objected to Giacchino's interpolation/re-arrangement of his themes, he objected to whole sections of his own original score being re-recorded for the score while the credit was still just "Music by Michael Giacchino"

[TheAvengerButton 132]

2 hours ago, Disco Stu said:

 

As I understand it, Williams never objected to Giacchino's interpolation/re-arrangement of his themes, he objected to whole sections of his own original score being re-recorded for the score while the credit was still just "Music by Michael Giacchino"

 

No, dude. Don't you know that John Williams is a petty stuck up bitch who thinks that Giacchino is a hack--conveniently like the majority of JWFan?

[Tallguy 1514]

3 hours ago, LSH said:

 

 

I've seen that one called out a couple of times. What's so bad about it? It's energetic it's ominous. What? 

[Manakin Skywalker 3601]

I don't get it either. There's perhaps one point where the higher strings sound a bit "wonky", but other than that I think it sounds just fine. I've certainly heard much worse, especially in some of the older tv shows.