Track of the Week: "Insomnia" by Christophe Beck, from Elektra
Most of you might recognize the kick-ass section in the middle of this cue from it's usage in the official trailer for "The Island" way back in 2005. Sadly, it's the only really rocking thing about this score, as the rest is mostly dissonant, experimental percussion. Beck has done more symphonic work, most notably the more recent Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief. However, most of his output are comedies, so don't expect a laundry list of action and adventure scores, apart from The Seeker: The Dark is Rising. The score to Elektra is an interesting diversion, and worth at least a passing mention.
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
ToTW 4/18/2010
Track of the Week: "Training Montage" by Edward Shearmur, from The Count of Monte Cristo
One of my absolute favorites (and used for temp tracks all to heck, I'm sure) is Shearmur's score to the 2002 incarnation of The Count of Monte Cristo. Introducing a swashbuckling cello rhythm a full year before Jack Sparrow swaggered on to the silver screen, "Training Montage" features just the right amount of fun, just the right amount of adventure, and just the right amount of suspense for the scene it illustrates. If you like your adventure scores with elegance and a flourish, Shearmur's effort is not to be missed!
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
One of my absolute favorites (and used for temp tracks all to heck, I'm sure) is Shearmur's score to the 2002 incarnation of The Count of Monte Cristo. Introducing a swashbuckling cello rhythm a full year before Jack Sparrow swaggered on to the silver screen, "Training Montage" features just the right amount of fun, just the right amount of adventure, and just the right amount of suspense for the scene it illustrates. If you like your adventure scores with elegance and a flourish, Shearmur's effort is not to be missed!
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
ToTW 4/11/2010
Track of the Week: "The Gravel Road" by James Newton Howard, from The Village
While James Newton Howard can deliver on the grand, sweeping side of things (see Waterworld, Snow Falling on Cedars, etc.), he can also deliver soft and lyrical as well. The Village is a case in point: though featuring some eerie suspense and horror cues, it also has this lovely rolling violin theme played by Hilary Hahn. It's incredibly sweet and gentle, and a welcome relief from the more atmospheric music that peppers the album.
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
While James Newton Howard can deliver on the grand, sweeping side of things (see Waterworld, Snow Falling on Cedars, etc.), he can also deliver soft and lyrical as well. The Village is a case in point: though featuring some eerie suspense and horror cues, it also has this lovely rolling violin theme played by Hilary Hahn. It's incredibly sweet and gentle, and a welcome relief from the more atmospheric music that peppers the album.
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
Monday, April 5, 2010
TB Ep. 8 - Theme Usage and Elfman's Alice
Track Bits Episode 8: Theme Useage and Elfman's Alice
High Quality Link
Track List
Order in Episode. "Track Name", Composer, Film/Album
1. Intro Clip
2. "The Name's Bond...James Bond", David Arnold, Casino Royale
3. "Evey Kidnapped", Alan Silvestri, The Mummy Returns
4. "Birth of a Penguin, Part II", Danny Elfman, Batman Returns
5. "The Raider's March", John Williams, Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull
6. "Tales of a Jedi Knight", John Williams, Star Wars
7. "Ben Kenobi's Death/TIE Fighter Attack", ", "
8. "The Battle of Yavin", ", "
9. "Binary Sunset", ", "
10. "The Rebel Fleet", John Williams, The Empire Strikes Back
11. "The Battle of Endor II", John Williams, The Return of the Jedi
12. "Main Title", Jerry Goldsmith, Star Trek The Motion Picture
13. "The Great Eye", Howard Shore, The Fellowship of the Ring
14. "The Grace of Undomiel", Howard Shore, The Return of the King
15. "Alice's Theme", Danny Elfman, Alice in Wonderland
16. "Main Titles", Danny Elfman, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
17. (Alice's Theme)
18. "Main Titles", Danny Elfman, Black Beauty
19. (Alice's Theme)
20. "V. 'I Forget'", Danny Elfman, Serenada Schizophrana
21. Outro Clip
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
High Quality Link
Track List
Order in Episode. "Track Name", Composer, Film/Album
1. Intro Clip
2. "The Name's Bond...James Bond", David Arnold, Casino Royale
3. "Evey Kidnapped", Alan Silvestri, The Mummy Returns
4. "Birth of a Penguin, Part II", Danny Elfman, Batman Returns
5. "The Raider's March", John Williams, Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull
6. "Tales of a Jedi Knight", John Williams, Star Wars
7. "Ben Kenobi's Death/TIE Fighter Attack", ", "
8. "The Battle of Yavin", ", "
9. "Binary Sunset", ", "
10. "The Rebel Fleet", John Williams, The Empire Strikes Back
11. "The Battle of Endor II", John Williams, The Return of the Jedi
12. "Main Title", Jerry Goldsmith, Star Trek The Motion Picture
13. "The Great Eye", Howard Shore, The Fellowship of the Ring
14. "The Grace of Undomiel", Howard Shore, The Return of the King
15. "Alice's Theme", Danny Elfman, Alice in Wonderland
16. "Main Titles", Danny Elfman, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
17. (Alice's Theme)
18. "Main Titles", Danny Elfman, Black Beauty
19. (Alice's Theme)
20. "V. 'I Forget'", Danny Elfman, Serenada Schizophrana
21. Outro Clip
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Cross Pollination
For those of you who may be interested, I've started another video feature over at my old blog. I hope to be maintaining this series about Cinematic Swordplay along with TrackBits, so if such a topic piques your interest, give it a shot!
http://foolishtouchstone.blogspot.com/2010/04/cinematic-swordplay-episode-1.html
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
http://foolishtouchstone.blogspot.com/2010/04/cinematic-swordplay-episode-1.html
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
ToTW 4/4/2010
Track of the Week: "One Speed" by Graeme Revell, from The Chronicles of Riddick
While Graeme Revell may not be known for bold themes or ripping action music, he puts forth an admirable effort with this chase cue from the second Riddick move. A heroic horn theme for the title character was only partially explored in Revell's score for Pitch Black (see the cue "Race Against the Sun") but makes it's presence known in a grand way about 1:46 into this cue for The Chronicles of Riddick (1:56 into the video). The more heavily orchestral treatment for the music in this second movie (as opposed to more percussive and electronic in the earlier effort) gives it a high mark in my book.
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
While Graeme Revell may not be known for bold themes or ripping action music, he puts forth an admirable effort with this chase cue from the second Riddick move. A heroic horn theme for the title character was only partially explored in Revell's score for Pitch Black (see the cue "Race Against the Sun") but makes it's presence known in a grand way about 1:46 into this cue for The Chronicles of Riddick (1:56 into the video). The more heavily orchestral treatment for the music in this second movie (as opposed to more percussive and electronic in the earlier effort) gives it a high mark in my book.
- 'Till Next Time, Soundtrack Fans!
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