Danny Elfman's SPIDER-MAN (2002) - NEW! 3-CD Expanded Edition from La-La Land Records (2022)

[DangerMotif 1,037]

Anyone get a shipping update today?

[HunterTech 987]

Not yet, and I'm not sure if LLL would be ones to update very late in the day. I hope this would mean that the amount of orders are so high that they're a bit busy trying to pack everything for them to get everyone all at once today, but there's no way of knowing that outside of an FSM update.

[Manakin Skywalker 4,891]

Nope! Then again, I never got any updates on my Harry Potter boxset which was delivered almost 5 years ago. 

[HunterTech 987]

Ah man, do I want to tell the story of how I technically never paid for the HP LLL boxset? Cause I still wonder what exactly happened there.

[Brando 1,856]

4 minutes ago, HunterTech said:

Ah man, do I want to tell the story of how I technically never paid for the HP LLL boxset? Cause I still wonder what exactly happened there.

Yes, yes you do

[HunterTech 987]

This would've been in a time when I was far more conscious about my purchasing choices (whereas I'm more Gung-ho about it now), and it wouldn't have been long after what I considered a big investment in the Superman FSM Blue Box. I was super quick to order the HP set when it was immediately available to order, yet it hadn't occurred to me that I could ask for it as a Christmas gift instead. So I sent an email asking if the order could be canceled, to which whoever responded proceeded to give me my money back.

 

However, my sister told me that she couldn't get it for me, so I decided to then just buy it again. And yet, I don't remember how I exactly realized, but for whatever reason, whoever canceled the first order didn't tell those who were in charge of the shipping proper. So imagine my confusion when I get an email saying that the other unit I had ordered shipped out. I ended up with two copies of the collection, with one of them being the one I got refunded on.

 

Now, this would've been the point where I should've contacted LLL about the situation and figured out what to do from there (which is possible I did do, but it's been a while). And yet, what I ended up doing instead was selling the other unit to someone I still know, with the box completely unopened (which would've made returning it very easy). And thus, I practically spent nothing on the box set.

 

I refused to tell the story "publicly" (I did talk about it in the JWFan Discord last year) for a while, cause I figured it'd make me look like an asshole for using the situation to take advantage of a company that has struggled on occasion (plus rob someone who would've been more interested in the material than the seller I gave it to). And given this is the thread where I've pushed hard on the "support LLL in every possible way" train...... yeah, I don't think the thought has disappeared much .

 

Guess I'm also a hypocrite for complaining about the lossy PoA tracks if I could very easily buy from the newer batch as a result of never having paid for mine in reality  (though that's probably better off being in the hands of another, newer and less familiar fan).

[crocodile 7,983]

This starts shipping today (6th), according to MV.

 

Karol

[Brando 1,856]

3 hours ago, crocodile said:

This starts shipping today (6th), according to MV.

 

Karol

Site must be down, but I'll take your word for it.

[crocodile 7,983]

They just say they're working around the clock, including weekends, and had to get extra help. And orders containing Spider-Man will begin shipping today. 

 

Karol

[Brando 1,856]

8 minutes ago, crocodile said:

They just say they're working around the clock, including weekends, and had to get extra help. And orders containing Spider-Man will begin shipping today. 

 

Karol

Oh dang. At least they're busy for the holidays though, thats always good.

[Richard Penna 3,669]

I sort of agree that an OST that largely just has tracks from the full score programme is a bit redundant. Maybe Elfman really likes his assembly and wants people to listen to his programme as well. Some OSTs are more 'needed' than others in context of a set like this.

 

And yes, not everyone can spend $40 on a release just when they want to. However, I think we should be careful to direct our criticism towards the right people. If Elfman's mandate for cooperating and blessing this release (and general 'Composer Approved' that people here so badly crave) was that the album be included, what were LLL supposed to do if they wanted this expansion to happen?

[A. A. Ron 1,738]

I just want to listen to my copy already!

[DangerMotif 1,037]

Awaiting shipment

[OneBuckFilms 319]

Mine is in transit, ETA: Friday. Yay !!!

[blondheim 1,157]

1 hour ago, OneBuckFilms said:

Mine is in transit, ETA: Friday. Yay !!!

 How?! How is yours in transit already?

 

La-La Land’s hatred of blondheim, confirmed

[HunterTech 987]

Oh yeah, forgot to say mine shipped yesterday, and is arriving today. The perk of being an LA resident (which is also why I would personally consider LLL and Intrada local businesses in a sense).

[Brando 1,856]

Just got the email both(Amistad and Spider-Man)of mine shipped!

[Trent B 337]

I got notification mine shipped. I'm eagerly waiting to get it.

[Faleel 5,333]

Is this the first score to a Marvel film to get an expansion? Or atleast first expansion on a specialty label?

[mstrox 6,643]

Intrada expanded The Avengers at the time of release.  Otherwise I don’t believe there’s been a Marvel expansion.

[Faleel 5,333]

3 minutes ago, mstrox said:

Intrada expanded The Avengers at the time of release.  Otherwise I don’t believe there’s been a Marvel expansion.

They had like one extra bonus track track right?, not really an expansion IMHO

[mstrox 6,643]

There’s one extra track, and a bunch of extended tracks.  Over 10 minutes of music over the digital OST (and later CDs).

[HunterTech 987]

Fake fans for not remembering the first two X-Men scores got expanded

[mstrox 6,643]

Get out!! We’re talking about interesting scores here!

[HunterTech 987]

I guess there's also Howard the Duck, but I imagine people don't immediately think Marvel with that.

[mstrox 6,643]

Now there’s a good Marvel score!

[HunterTech 987]

Oh yeah, here's something that might justify having the OST being included: reminding you how shitty modern mainstream mastering can be, as the new expansion (the top track) actually handles the compression much better!

 

[mstrox 6,643]

Many reasons why it’s the right call!

[A. A. Ron 1,738]

The Incredible Hulk got an OST with 2 full CDs. Meanwhile Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame were both released with average length albums and considerably expanded deluxe editions right out of the gate.

 

9 hours ago, HunterTech said:

Oh yeah, here's something that might justify having the OST being included: reminding you how shitty modern mainstream mastering can be, as the new expansion (the top track) actually handles the compression much better!

 

 

Now that's a sexy waveform!

[mxsch 115]

Excellent release by the La-La-Land, as always. The mix is better but it's not a significant improvement, development of it is much more interesting in comparison to the original album and it's strange that Elfman have included only a 45 minutes of it. There is also numerous highlights.

I find original albums for both of his works lacking, second one is especially too heavily focuses on the melodrama, and yeah I know about all this stuff with replacement cues/inserts from Debney and Young.

He could've include almost an entire score for the first movie on that 1 CD

Funny how the score was bashed on the release and now it's like a modern classic of the superhero genre.

[Demondm810 398]

Have they made a high resolution version of their cover in the standard sizing available?

[TolkienSS 405]

On 08/12/2022 at 6:10 AM, HunterTech said:

Oh yeah, here's something that might justify having the OST being included: reminding you how shitty modern mainstream mastering can be, as the new expansion (the top track) actually handles the compression much better!

 

 

Yeah, now there's a reason for 50 dollars: wavelength.

[HunterTech 987]

20 minutes ago, TolkienSS said:

 

Yeah, now there's a reason for 50 dollars: wavelength.

 

Dude, just say you were never actually interested in the set and get out of here before we have to make a "Spider-Man 20th Anniversary Score Appreciation Thread," because these repetitive comments add nothing to the conversation. Let people talk about the darn material first before you can remain brashfully confident in your half-reasonable choice. I'll even give you $20 if it means you can shut up about the price.

[A. A. Ron 1,738]

2 hours ago, TolkienSS said:

 

Yeah, now there's a reason for 50 dollars: wavelength.

The word you’re looking for is waveforms. The wavelength won’t be much different unless they screwed up the speed or pitch on one of these releases or used wildly different takes or something.

[HunterTech 987]

Wow, I hadn't even noticed that (and I already was gonna hold back from explaining why a less compressed waveform is a good thing).

[NL197 368]

3 hours ago, Demondm810 said:

Have they made a high resolution version of their cover in the standard sizing available?

Yes, although the coloring on web-head is a bit off, like it was photoshopped out or something: 

https://warmbutter.com/albums/spider-man/

2 hours ago, HunterTech said:

 

Dude, just say you were never actually interested in the set and get out of here before we have to make a "Spider-Man 20th Anniversary Score Appreciation Thread," because these repetitive comments add nothing to the conversation. Let people talk about the darn material first before you can remain brashfully confident in your half-reasonable choice. I'll even give you $20 if it means you can shut up about the price.

To add to that, being in Canada, I paid $76.50 for this thing thanks to currency conversion. 

 

I paid it because being a 20th anniversary release of a treasured film (and the original score album does indeed sit on my shelf, purchased 20 years ago when the film came out) and I'm glad to have this sit next to it, included OST or not. 

Mine is still firmly in "Awaiting Fulfillment" mode. 

[A. A. Ron 1,738]

Roof Chat is so good. Should have been on the OST for sure.

[blondheim 1,157]

4 hours ago, A. A. Ron said:

Roof Chat is so good. Should have been on the OST for sure.

 Some of it makes up the second half of Specter of the Goblin on the OST.

[Richard Penna 3,669]

This score is an interesting case where I love the main title - one of the best opening compositions for a film I've ever heard. Then...largely... meh?

 

The Costume Montage and Farewell cues are also really cool but the rest of the score sort of falls into Elfman's more drama side which rarely works for me.

 

I think it just comes down to stylistic tastes because I mostly prefer the additional composer material for Spidey 2. There's something unique about Sleepy Hollow and A Simple Plan because in terms of scores fully composed by him (as opposed to rewrites/replacements, etc) those are the only two I have from him.

[Demondm810 398]

On 10/12/2022 at 1:51 PM, NL197 said:

Yes, although the coloring on web-head is a bit off, like it was photoshopped out or something: 

https://warmbutter.com/albums/spider-man/

To add to that, being in Canada, I paid $76.50 for this thing thanks to currency conversion. 

 

I paid it because being a 20th anniversary release of a treasured film (and the original score album does indeed sit on my shelf, purchased 20 years ago when the film came out) and I'm glad to have this sit next to it, included OST or not. 

Mine is still firmly in "Awaiting Fulfillment" mode. 

 

Thank you!

[Jay 37,283]

Does anybody else have any thoughts on this release?

[Manakin Skywalker 4,891]

1 hour ago, Jay said:

Does anybody else have any thoughts on this release?

 

Yeah, it's friggen awesome!

[Jay 37,283]

Please, tell us more!

[HunterTech 987]

As someone whose appreciation for Elfman's two Spidey scores has been increasing after considering them weaker than Young's SM3 for the longest time, this release absolutely made my love for SM1's music soar to an all time high. Just about everything from this set that isn't the inclusion of the OST truly feels like something that was assembled by a fan (and I would know, having made custom Spidey 3 albums myself). Basically every important base is covered here for stuff that wasn't on the bootleg, in incredibly pristine audio quality no longer marred by ancient MP3 compression. It's truly astonishing how much changing seemingly small parts of key cues can make this feel like a whole new experience almost (let alone the newly unearthed revisions of whole tracks), which is incredible given my weird lack of interest in the film versions of this particular entry prior. Jeff Bond's liner notes are also a surprising joy, as I can't think of another release that offers you what's effectively a whole essay on the themes and sound of the work, which did a lot to help me see this as more than simply a sonic encapsulation of a child's take on superheroics and growing up. For the partial team that gave us one of LLL's lesser efforts (Superman Returns), it's really a miracle.

 

Speaking of themes, while I still think the score is generally a bit superficial in its presentation (especially compared to the more mature and developed sequels), boy did it really do a lot to make me see the long game Elfman played with the central heart of his entries: the love theme. The film versions of Backyard Connection and Getting Through are so wonderfully understated compared to the ones originally written that it does a superb job developing what makes the emotional core of not just this score, but Spidey 2 as well. It did plenty to make me understand just why people loved these particular works so much, as well as get why some would be pissed at SM3 for either stagnating the development of the theme or replacing it outright, depending on the cut of the movie (as much as I think the latter served a specific purpose). It really is the humanity in Danny's quieter moments that ultimately make this score more than just an audio representation of a hyperactive kid playing with his toys.

 

I can certainly understand if people think there's been better Marvel scores since, and especially if they feel this and SM2 aren't a patch on Elfman's earlier superhero works like his Batman music. But for my money, the people behind these scores (Danny, Chris, John, Deborah) made a whole trilogy that I honestly think won't be topped for a long while (even if there's solid contenders like the Dark Knight trilogy and Silvestri's Avengers trio). I might like the sequels more, but I think I do agree that SM1 is the truly perfect embodiment of Marvel in its sound.

 

Given my attachment to this franchise, I'm obviously going to think this is hands down my favorite official expansion thus far. Bulk, Goldwasser, Schwartz, and Bond really ought to be proud of the work done here. I hope to God it's true that Elfman has mellowed out about the situation with SM2, as the only thing that could top this is an official expansion of that score with this exact team.

[Brando 1,856]

3 hours ago, HunterTech said:

I hope to God it's true that Elfman has mellowed out about the situation with SM2, as the only thing that could top this is an official expansion of that score with this exact team.

We are all hoping and all have our fingers crossed!

[Jay 37,283]

Thanks for that write-up, @HunterTech, I really enjoyed reading it!

 

I cannot wait to give this album a proper listen once my ear infection clears up.  But in the meantime, I put this together for anyone who is interested

 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1N9vGXHKj7_VmKAKqlsMZfoyaw4W9pMwcVYF-G-QDAa8

[Bespin 8,476]

Ear infection? Hey, take care Jay!

[Jay 37,283]

It's quite unpleasant.  I still can't hear well

[Datameister 2,037]

3 hours ago, Jay said:

It's quite unpleasant.  I still can't hear well

Oof. Those can be seriously awful. Hope you're better soon.

[Edmilson 7,385]

Earlier today I listened to Elfman's Darkman, which not only was his first movie with Sam Raimi but also what can be considered as his third Burton Batman score. Now, I just finished listening to Spider-Man, which was written over a decade later and despite having the same director and composer, the two of them couldn't be more different.

 

While Darkman was firmly rooted in his early 90s "dark circus" sound, Spider-Man was much more modern and perhaps even mature, featuring unusual percussion and synths. Still, SM has a great deal of Elfmanisms, like the cooing female choir. The chaotic brass and woodwinds for the action cues (particularly Revenge) wouldn't been out of place in Darkman or Batman, despite the presence of synths.

 

And even though Spider-Man isn't as well liked by film music fans as Batman, I think it's very appropriated - heck, it's the soul of the movie.

 

I cannot understate how memorable Spider-Man and its score were for me. I saw it in theaters at age 9 and then countless times on DVD. The movie was HUGE here, a big deal for people of literally all ages. I pratically decorated its lines and music, which was very impactful in my childish mind.

 

Even as a kid, I was very impressed with how Elfman opened the movie not with a bang or epic fanfares... But with a quiet motif for strings that suggested the tragedy and weight of Peter Parker's mission. The opening titles are scored with a music that blends traditional heroism with the physical and moral toll Parker's call to action would be. The musical embodiment of the "with great powers come great responsability" motto.

 

I love this movie and score. It takes me back to a time where big super-hero movies were much less frequent and much more special. I love that it blends classic with modern Elfman, and how, despite being widely criticized at the time (who would've thought how much further down we'd go in these 20 years), still provided a heart and a soul to the very first time we saw Spider-Man in a movie.