[Closed] Now Playing XLIII

NP: Black Rain - Hans Zimmer

I'm really glad the expanded version finally got released. I've liked this score since the first time I bought it, at the nascent of my soundtrack love. This is pretty much the origin of most Zimmerisms that I've come to love, where it all came together and mingled and bred. It's as melodic as ever, even in its most ambient mode, something that the current Zimmer sometime doesn't do. The use of percussion for the city/urban setting is reminiscent of Stewart Copeland's work for Wall Street. And it does get a bit incoherent at time, though I'll assert that he was scoring the emotional state of the characters rather than just purely supporting the onscreen action.

NP: The Kite Runner - Alberto Iglesias

I spoke briefly with Iglesias about this score after the WSA concert and he said it was one of his personal favourites. By the time I bumped into him in the bar next to the Marriott I was very drunk but he still stopped for a photograph and a brief chat. Lovely man.

One of the greatest comic book film scores ever composed! I can't recommend this score highly enough!

Here's my poorly written review.
http://www.cinematicsound.net/review-wonder-woman/

Hear an extended suite on my radio show HERE!

-Erik-

NP: Madden NFL 13 - Colin O'Malley & Aaron Sapp

A bit of a guilty pleasure but I love a bit of EA Sports' American Football game scores. And this one is a corker!

For pure enjoyment I find that it's difficult to beat sometimes when it's done well. And Colin O'Malley does it well. If you know you won't like it avoid, but for those who like a bit of NFL have a listen to two tracks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi_PzBsS … i_PzBsSjOg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCOi56e_ … COi56e_eCU

I always thought those soundtracks were just random collection of hip-hop or something.

Reviewing a few scores that I might want to play on my next show...

NP: For Greater Glory - James Horner



I don't know if I can help promote this. Every time that Goddamn four-note motif pops up I... I... I just want to....

-Erik-

A very enjoyable album. One of my favourites this year.

I'm usually not that opposed to the motif, but it is starting to get a little bit ridiculous (although some may argue that stage was met years ago!) This is the first score that Horner's self-plagiarism has really put me off - and this is coming from someone who's generally had a lot of patience for Horner's approach (and often enjoying hearing repeated themes). But this one just seems so 'phoned in', it's very hard to enjoy. But since Black Gold and Spider-Man are both winners in my books, two out of three ain't bad.

Surely not 'literally'?

n.p. FERNANDO VELASQUEZ - Lo Impossible.

Beautiful, simply beautiful.

NP: Thale - Raymond Enoksen & Geirmund Simonsen

Released today from Mikael's Screamworks Records label, Thale is a score that I think will grow and grow with more listens (a "slow-burner"). And that's not to say that it doesn't have an immediate effect.

This is a great little score. Prominent cello, (Norwegian?) fiddle, electronics and beautiful ethereal female vocals feature in the score that has Norwegian folk influences. It's not an out-and-out horror score but rather there's a sadness running through the score - particularly for Thale her-/it-self.

Well worth a listen.

NP: ThunderCats 2012 - Kevin Kliesch

Epic with contrasting beauty in the delicate and angelic track "Song Of The Petelars." Due to budget restrains this huge orchestral score sounds like it's mostly performed on synths and samples however the booklet does list 3 contracted live players. Even with that said it's still great to listen to and the music is quite impressive! Lots of fun!

-Erik-

I had a feeling it would be that specific type of fiddle.