Gremlins 2: The New Batch
Jerry Goldsmith
" Tonight, on the Clamp Cable Classic Music Channel, don't miss Gremlins 2, now in deluxe treatment "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
Just when you thought it couldn't get any zanier, enter a truckload of gremlins to totally ridicule the first movie. Gremlins 2 is a lot funnier and less scarier (though it has its moments) for all you Dante admirers. Top that with Jerry Goldsmith at his best and you have a wonderful fun afternoon. Now twice the fun with the expanded deluxe treatment of the soundtrack. Truthfully, there's perhaps even too much music on board, even though it all makes sense. Because this is another example of movie music at the best of its thematic abilities. I can't count the many motifs that are on board here, I mean numerous Gremlins have their own motif (Silly Daffy (with the silly horn of the train), Stripe, the lady gremlin and then countless fanfares for the dangerous gremlins that get unleashed in the building (including the bat and spider). Hell, Goldsmith unleashes after that all of the other character themes and you still haven't heard them all.
Still it is satisfying to hear more from Doctor Catheter's organ theme and Marla's sultry romance theme. Add to that countless cute Gizmo's statements, his own Rambo theme (too bad Goldsmith couldn't copy it here, rights I presume) and the one and only Gremlins rag and you'll have a hell of a time. For me it's the kick ass second part of the disc that wins me over, so much over the top music. Relentless energy and chockfull of zany ideas. Because it's easier to appreciate it if you know the film by heart. Again, perhaps too long for my ultimate satisfaction, but Gremlins 2: The New Batch is another winning Dante / Goldsmith combination. The detail, fun and zaniness is jumping from left to right, enough to give you the Gremlins vibe for good.
Another insane Goldsmith experience, zany and overblown from top to bottom.
The motifs and themes are impossible to count, but be sure Goldsmith unleashes them all after one another.
Several cues remain to deliver an incredible power ("Pot Luck", "Keep It Quiet").
The enthusiasm coming from New York, New York in the 23rd track is sensational.
Some incredible unreleased tracks are finally available.
The finale with "Gremlins Credits" is still a rollercoaster cue of goodies.
Too bad Goldsmith couldn't bring his own Rambo theme for Gizmo, but thankfully his alteration still works.
People expecting the Gremlins to sing along in "Bridal Chorus", guess again.
Track Listing
1. Merrily We Roll Along / Prologue / Just You Wait + (5.09)
2. Future Thoughts * (0.34)
3. Gizmo's Capture / A Disaster / Fatal Prognosis * (2.32)
4. Cute…* (2.04)
5. Gizmo Escapes (3.54)
6. Instructions * (1.50)
7. Leaky Faucet (3.49)
8. The Impostor * (1.14)
9. The Visitors (.34)
10. No Rats (2.28)
11. The Long Fall / Hot Wire / The Time Zone * (2.36)
12. Pot Luck (3.08) Excellent track
13. Pacing / Fast Rise * (1.18)
14. A Better Mouse Trap * (1.47)
15. Gremlins at Work / The Brain Hormones / Gremlins Wings * (4.59)
16. Gremlin Mayhem * (3.59)
17. Teenage Mutant Gremlins (3.31) Excellent track
18. On the Track / Workout / Something New / The Bag * (1.04) Excellent track
19. No Cavities / Climate Control * (2.09)
20. Keep It Quiet (3.18) Excellent track
21. New York, New York / Rhapsody in Blue * (2.05)
22. Congo Corta / Gremlinition * (0.41)
23. Broadway To Bowery / New York, New York / A Big Chance * (1.48) Excellent track
24. Gremlin Pudding (2.22) Excellent track
25. New Trends (3.51) Excellent track
26. Bridal Chorus * (1.11)
27. Gremlin Credits (5.01) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
28. Cute… (Album Version) (2.04)
29. Movie Police * (0.48)
30. Nearer my God to Thee * (1.23)
31. Clamp Logos * (0.22)
32. Postlude * (0.25)
* Previously unreleased
Total Length: 76.57
Still it is satisfying to hear more from Doctor Catheter's organ theme and Marla's sultry romance theme. Add to that countless cute Gizmo's statements, his own Rambo theme (too bad Goldsmith couldn't copy it here, rights I presume) and the one and only Gremlins rag and you'll have a hell of a time. For me it's the kick ass second part of the disc that wins me over, so much over the top music. Relentless energy and chockfull of zany ideas. Because it's easier to appreciate it if you know the film by heart. Again, perhaps too long for my ultimate satisfaction, but Gremlins 2: The New Batch is another winning Dante / Goldsmith combination. The detail, fun and zaniness is jumping from left to right, enough to give you the Gremlins vibe for good.
Another insane Goldsmith experience, zany and overblown from top to bottom.
The motifs and themes are impossible to count, but be sure Goldsmith unleashes them all after one another.
Several cues remain to deliver an incredible power ("Pot Luck", "Keep It Quiet").
The enthusiasm coming from New York, New York in the 23rd track is sensational.
Some incredible unreleased tracks are finally available.
The finale with "Gremlins Credits" is still a rollercoaster cue of goodies.
Too bad Goldsmith couldn't bring his own Rambo theme for Gizmo, but thankfully his alteration still works.
People expecting the Gremlins to sing along in "Bridal Chorus", guess again.
Track Listing
1. Merrily We Roll Along / Prologue / Just You Wait + (5.09)
2. Future Thoughts * (0.34)
3. Gizmo's Capture / A Disaster / Fatal Prognosis * (2.32)
4. Cute…* (2.04)
5. Gizmo Escapes (3.54)
6. Instructions * (1.50)
7. Leaky Faucet (3.49)
8. The Impostor * (1.14)
9. The Visitors (.34)
10. No Rats (2.28)
11. The Long Fall / Hot Wire / The Time Zone * (2.36)
12. Pot Luck (3.08) Excellent track
13. Pacing / Fast Rise * (1.18)
14. A Better Mouse Trap * (1.47)
15. Gremlins at Work / The Brain Hormones / Gremlins Wings * (4.59)
16. Gremlin Mayhem * (3.59)
17. Teenage Mutant Gremlins (3.31) Excellent track
18. On the Track / Workout / Something New / The Bag * (1.04) Excellent track
19. No Cavities / Climate Control * (2.09)
20. Keep It Quiet (3.18) Excellent track
21. New York, New York / Rhapsody in Blue * (2.05)
22. Congo Corta / Gremlinition * (0.41)
23. Broadway To Bowery / New York, New York / A Big Chance * (1.48) Excellent track
24. Gremlin Pudding (2.22) Excellent track
25. New Trends (3.51) Excellent track
26. Bridal Chorus * (1.11)
27. Gremlin Credits (5.01) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
28. Cute… (Album Version) (2.04)
29. Movie Police * (0.48)
30. Nearer my God to Thee * (1.23)
31. Clamp Logos * (0.22)
32. Postlude * (0.25)
* Previously unreleased
Total Length: 76.57