ToTW 2/28/2010

Track of the Week: "S.O.P. Theme #1: Standard Operating Procedure" by Danny Elfman, from Standard Operating Procedure



If there is anyone who can do melancholy well, it's Danny Elfman. If you can forget for a moment that Standard Operating Procedure is about the Abu-Ghraib atrocities, Elfman's music is reminiscent of his work on Wanted in being menacing, weighty, and mysterious. Much like Debney's Passion of Christ, however, the subject material is forever associated with the music, which can be annoying when the emotional response to the score runs contrary to the movie. Whatever you're opinion of film, Elfman's work is still worth a listen, even if you have to conjure up something more pleasant in you're imagination to go with this music.

 - 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!

Additional Delay

Having contracted a nasty bug, my voice has been out of commission and will be so for the next few days. I've got most of the script done for TB7, so I'll start recording as soon as my vocal cords no longer feel like they've been worked over with coarse-grade sandpaper.

 - 'Till Next time, Soundtrack Fans!

Virtual Composition

I found this article immensely fascinating, and do read to the end if you click...

http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/triumph-of-the-cyborg-composer-8507/

When I think about breaking down music into algorithms, I immediately think of Zimmer and Co, who seem to have "formula" down pat. I wonder how easily Emily Howell could replicate the Remote Control Sound, given the right input?

 - 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!

ToTW 2/21/2010

Track of the Week: "Rjuken Sabotage" by Michael Giacchino, from Medal of Honor



I've always liked Giacchino's music to Lost, and was happy to find nearly all of his work for the first Medal of Honor game entirely to my liking. Though some would argue that the score to the first game was too derivative of John Williams, and that Giacchino would later mature into his own sound for the subsequent games, it's still enjoyable and an achievement in it's own right. Too bad it's become rather rare on the secondary market, as it's a very solid effort.

 - 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!

ToTW 2/14/2010

Track of the Week: "Main Title" by Jerry Goldsmith, from Night Crossing



Night Crossing has the distinction of being the most expensive soundtrack I've ever paid for. I won't tell you the exact amount, but suffice to say that Intrada Records (a soundtrack specialist based out of Oakland, of all places!) continues to suck money out of my wallet with their limited releases, which sell out quickly and fetch high prices on the secondary market. Thankfully, the above album is the last of their back catalog that I was interested in tracking down, and it's spirited and menacing theme should give you an idea of why I was desirous of a copy. It manages to be both dangerous sounding but also upbeat, and from Jerry Goldsmith I would expect no less.

 - 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!

Brief Thoughts on the Avatar Soundtrack

I finally saw Avatar in IMAX yesterday and had a chance to bend ear to Horner's score. In a phrase, it is the best and worst of Horner I've heard in a while. On one hand, it was pure orchestral bliss, with the action cues and ethnic instrumentation taking center stage and just rocking it. On the other hand, GOOD LORD, THE FOUR NOTE MOTIF. I'd love to play a drinking game for every time I heard that tired old chestnut, though I imagine things would get really hairy around "The Destruction of Hometree." If you've never heard a James Horner score before, you'll be blown away. For the rest of us, if you can get around the (sometimes inordinate amount of) self-plagiarism, you'll find the occasional stellar cue.

 - 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!

ToTW: 2/7/2010

Track of the Week: "Waters of Irrawaddy" by Hans Zimmer, from Beyond Rangoon



This'll be the last of Zimmer and Media Ventures for a while (I know it seems like I've been on a kick, I'll be mixing it up as the weeks go on). I don't normally associate the descriptor "quiet" with any of Hans' stuff, but it's very fitting for his work on the score to Beyond Rangoon (with Nick Glennie-Smith lending a hand here and there). It's a nice change of pace from the usual bombast, and I like the pulsating gong lines that keep time in the background, along with the female vocals. Very Pretty.

 - 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!

In the Works: Track Bits 7

I'm working my way towards getting the next episode of Track Bits off the ground. For once I'm having to do some research on stuff I never knew in the first place, and after some correspondence and (eventual) equipment upgrades, things should be looking pretty good. Expect it Mid- to Late-February!

 - 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!