John Powell's CALL OF THE WILD (2020)

[Yavar Moradi 2,585]

1 minute ago, Anthony said:

The Intrada 'press-release-style' album descriptions are always written in such strange English. I often struggle to read them without preiodically stopping and thinking "is that gramatically correct?". It usually always is, but it's as if they've elected to leave out any words that aren't 100% essential, resulting in a very strange flow.

 

That's Doug's style of writing, on the product pages -- it's kinda "headline style" I guess. Roger writes the press release posted on their forum, which are in much more normal prose.

Yavar

[Jay 37,281]

6 minutes ago, Anthony said:

The Intrada 'press-release-style' album descriptions are always written in such strange English. I often struggle to read them without preiodically stopping and thinking "is that gramatically correct?". It usually always is, but it's as if they've elected to leave out any words that aren't 100% essential, resulting in a very strange flow.

 

Yes.  I don't understand why Doug decided to adopt that writing style for his store page descriptions.  I much prefer Roger's write-ups in the forum.

[Anthony 572]

It's weird. They come across as if they've been written by someone who speaks English as a second language. I know it's not indended, but I often don't read them because they aren't written in a 'natural' way of reading/speaking.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

I admit it, I wrote them.

[Jay 37,281]

Did anybody on JWFan buy this new physical edition of the OST album, and if so, have you received it yet, and if so, do you have any commentary on the packaging?

[Anthony 572]

Yes, not yet, and therefore, no. The Movie Music Store turned out to be the cheapest place for me to buy it, but they aren't beginning to ship until today I believe. 

[crocodile 7,983]

Couldn't see any pictures of the CD so here they are:

 

 

Karol

[Jay 37,281]

Ha, that composer note is great

One of the instruments listed is "dog harmonica" - wtf is that?

[Holko 9,499]

2 minutes ago, Jay said:

One of the instruments listed is "dog harmonica" - wtf is that?

A standard and completely serious name for an instrument - just like "brothel piano" right above it.

[Jay 37,281]

Interesting!

[Disco Stu 15,495]

I believe Holko was being sarcastic with the "standard and completely serious name" comment, trying to indicate that that part of the liner notes is Powell & co. being silly.

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

No way, Holkie is never sarcastic.

[crocodile 7,983]

This score has really grown on me. It definitely made the film better and it makes a very nice listening experience on its own as well. And even with this massive ensemble I appreciate the score being bit less overbearing than some of John's other recent works. I do love his stuff but it can be sometimes exhausting. 

 

Karol

[Richard Penna 3,669]

I listen to this more than HTTYD 3, which I originally thought was better, but this is lighter and less demanding. HTTYD is the better score, but it's more overbearing in general, and needs more attention due to its thematic density.

 

I have no idea whether it makes the film better - I got stupendously bored after 15 mins and gave up.

[Remco 685]

I didn't care for the film at all but the have been listening to the score a lot throughout the pandemic. I really think it's great and it only gets better over time. There's a growing maturity in his emotional palette that can be heard in this one and other recent scores. 

[Incanus 5,713]

I actually have put off listening to this score until it got a CD release and I have to say it has really grown on me in the past week I have been listening to it. Really loving it. While Powell sometimes inserts various pop music riffs, progressions and stylings into his How to Train Your Dragon scores, Call of the Wild uses them fairly regularly which gives it along with the colorful orchestrations a very individual character but never becomes annoying. Powell is one of those composer's who can walk the fine line to make these pop influences palatable to my ears.

 

And again the earnest emotional, melodic sincerity of the music that is found in Powell's best works is very much present here which makes this score very accessible and instantly likeable. A great blend of classic orchestral and modern sensibilities.

[Jay 37,281]

8 hours ago, Incanus said:

pop music riffs

 

I'm intrigued by this.  Tell me more?

[Jurassic Shark 12,024]

Simplistic harmonic language.

[Jay 37,281]

The physical CD edition is going out of print on May 23rd (and is also on sale for 18 dollars)

[Miz 139]

I'm gonna say it, I think CotW is as strong a score as HTTYD... it uses a different palette and instrumentation, but is just as varied, heartfelt, melodic, original, poignant and impactful. And I'm a card-carrying fan of HTTYD, both score and film.

 

Furthermore this score probably is the more accomplished for being from an inferior film, and yet having such comparable quality.

 

[Richard Penna 3,669]

I tried watching the film during a brief Disney+ binge and very quickly lost interest out of sheer boredom. I also found myself distracted by the clearly CGI dog.

 

And yep, the score is every big as beautiful, exciting, thematic and memorable as HTTYD, just with a different setting and palette. It's a favourite for in-car listening because it's always doing something.

 

This track, and this moment in particular is so evocative. The woodwind solo at the end.... 

 

 

[crocodile 7,983]

The film was "fine". The scire is really good though. It took me a while to get used to but it's definitely up there with his best work.

 

Karol