Cinescapes Top Score of 2005

Cinescape recently posted their pick for the top 20 scores from 2005. There are some predictable choices - John Williams has 4 scores in the top 20. Harry Gregson-Williams has two. etc. etc. There are a couple of pleasant surprise inclusions: Alan Williams' CRAB ORCHARD and David Newman's SERENITY, but I have to admit there are a few headscratchers here as well.

Judge for thyself!

1. CRASH (Mark Isham, Superb Records SPB-CD-2512)
2. MUNICH (John Williams, Decca B0006093-02)
3. STAR WARS EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH (Sony Classical SK94220)
4. SIN CITY (Robert Rodriguez, John Debney, Graeme Revell, Varese Sarabande 302 066 644 2)
5. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE (Patrick Doyle, Warner Bros. 49631-2)
6. BATMAN BEGINS (Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard, Warner Bros., 71324)
7. THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED (Brian Tyler, Hollywood Records 2061-62541-2)
8. MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (John Williams, Sony Classical 82876747082)
9. WAR OF THE WORLDS (John Williams, Decca B0004568-02)
10. KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (Harry Gregson-Williams, Sony Classical SK 94419)
11. SERENITY (David Newman, Varese Sarabande, 302 066 682 2)
12. CRAB ORCHARD (Alan Williams, Silverscreen Music SMCD 017)
13. HOSTAGE (Alexandre Desplat, Superb Records 72051-2)
14. SORSTALANSAG (Ennio Morricone, EMI 7243 860308 [Hungary])
15. THE BROTHERS GRIMM (Dario Marianelli, Milan M2-36136)
16. AEON FLUX (Graeme Revell, Varese Sarabande 302 066 707 2)
17. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE (Harry Gregson-Williams, Disney 5008 61373-7)
18. KING KONG (James Newton Howard, Decca B0005715-02)
19. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, SEASON ONE (Bear McCreary, La-La Land Records LLLCD-1032)
20. MIRRORMASK (Iain Ballamy, La-La Land LLLCD 1031)

You can read the "why's" here

Thanks to Jeff Kaufman at The Kaufman Agency for the heads up.

ULTRAVIOLET trailer available

KLAUS BADELT's upcoming collaboration with director KURT WIMMER, ULTRAVIOLET now has its first trailer available online.

Kurt Wimmer's creative vision and Klaus Badelt's sublime composition last combined for what has become a bit of a cult-classic, EQUILIBRIUM. ULTRAVIOLET looks to be built in the same tradition as EQUILIBRIUM, THE MATRIX, and AEON FLUX. The film is set to release in February 2006.

You can download the Quicktime or Windows Media trailer here from UGO.

Graeme Revell Interview

Composer GRAEME REVELL talks about his experience on AEON FLUX, his two CALL OF DUTY scores, his original screenplay and new focus on revitalizing orchestral concert.

Read the full interview here!

UNDERWORLD EVOLUTION soundtrack to release

New soundtrack from the upcoming sequel UNDERWORLD EVOLUTION is set to release on January 10, 2006. Below is the official press release:

Lakeshore Records' UNDERWORLD and it's accompanying soundtrack albums are perhaps the most thoughtful, valued and respected genre film soundtracks continuing in the proud tradition of THE MATRIX, THE CROW and SPAWN.

As Underworld Evolution continues the saga of the story, so does the new Soundtrack Album continue the tone set musically. On this new album is the exclusive debut solo recording from Chester Bennington, and a new exclusive recording by Puscifer. Chester Bennington is of course best know as the lead singer of iconic rock band Linkin Park. Likewise Pusicfer who contributed to the first Underworld album, is a new outlet for the highly respected, and commercially successful music genius Maynard James Keenan. Maynard is best know as the frontman of both Tool and A Perfect Circle. Also a contributing member of Puscifer is Danny Lohner, the famed former Nine Inch Nails guitarist who is also a sought out songwriter, producer and remixer.

Every song on the album is exclusive to this set at the time of release. In addition to those above are exclusive contributions from such varied and respected artists as My Chemical Romance, Slipknot, Meat beat Manifesto, Cradle Of Filth as well as some the most exciting new emerging and critically acclaimed bands such as Atreyu, Hawthorn Heights, Senses Fail, Alkaline Trio, Aiden, Lacuna Coil, Trivium and more.Many of these tracks proudly feature exclusive remixes by some of the most respected and sought after talents such as Danny Lohner, Chris Vrenna, cEvinKey and The Legion Of Doom. Both Danny Lohner and Chris Vrenna bring unique musical experience and sensibilities as former members of seminal rock band Nine Inch Nails. cEvin Key is the co-founder of Skinny Puppy and an established artist in his own right, remixing various artists of stature and releasing many solo albums under different titles. Jack Dangers new exclusive Meat Beat Manifesto song features the artists first use of vocal performance in over six years, which is a rare treat indeed for fans.

Track Listing
1. The Undertaker (Renholder Mix) * Puscifer
2. Morning After * Chester Bennington vs. Julien-K
3. Where Do I Stab Myself In The Ears (The Legion of Doom Remix) * Hawthorne Heights
4. To The End (RnR Cheryl Mix) * My Chemical Romance
5. Vermillion pt 2 (Bloodstone Mix) * Slipknot
6. Burn (Alleged Remix) * Alkaline Trio
7. The Last Sunrise (Dusk Mix) * Aiden
8. Bite To Break Skin (The Legion of Doom Remix) * Senses Fail
9. Her Portrait In Black * Atreyu
10. Washing Away Me In The Tides * Trivium
11. Eternal Battle * Mendozza
12. Our Truth * Lacuna Coil
13. Cat People (Putting Out The Fire) * Gosling
14. Why Are You Up * Bobby Gold
15. Suicide * Meat Beat Manifesto
16. HW2 * Cradle Of Filth

Purchase here:

KING KONG by James Newton Howard

Argueably the most memorable film music of the last 10 years came from Peter Jackson's THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy by Howard Shore. Could Jackson's very next project, KING KONG, come anywhere near the success of the Rings even in terms of its score?

If that question was originally without merit, that changed the moment composer Howard Shore dropped out off of the King Kong project and James Newton Howard was brought on board to provide the musical backdrop to this beauty and beast remake. Undoubtedly, James Newton Howard has built up a strong enough portfolio to warrant being hired to score this picture in the first place, but still could easily be haunted by the question heard in the minds of some film music fans, "It's good, but what would Shore have done?"

The overall tone of the score is unsurprisingly romantic and adventurous - something James Newton Howard is no stranger to. Still, Howard's score ranges from 1930's period music, to adreniline-packed, action pieces, to dark and mysterious melodies, to the tender, to the pitiful, without batting an eye. Such variety helps to make the pictures 3 plus hour running time doable and also make the 74 minute soundtrack an easy listen.

James Newton Howard successfully conveys the sheer power and might of the great King Kong in pieces such as "Something Monstrous...," "Captured," and "Tooth and Claw." Yet he also gives the big fella (and likewise the film) a sensitive heart with his use of his "beautiful-theme" in "Beautiful" and "Central Park." Howard's work goes a long way to helping the audience connect with Kong on a sympathetic level as much as Andy Serkis's digital performance, and Peter Jackson's direction does. The concluding piece of the film found in tracks 20 and 21, Beauty Killed the Beast IV, V, is truly some of the most emotional music of 2005. Just as KING KONG, the movie, had an almost impossible standard to live up to, so did it's score. Thankfully, in the skilled hands of Peter Jackson and James Newton Howard, both movie and score have done just that.

Tracksounds Rating: 8/10

Available at iTunes!

Or purchase here:

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by Harry Gregson-Williams

While C.S. Lewis' tales of the land of Narnia have met with various incarnations, director Andrew Adamson's live-action vision is the first entry in the blockbuster, post-Lord-of-the-Rings-era, in which we now live. Adamson wisely chose previous collaborator, Harry Gregson-Williams (SHREK, SHREK 2) to provide the musical backdrop for THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.
Gregson-Williams coming off, among other projects, his critically popular score for Ridley Scott's KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, which in the minds of some, truly took Gregson-Williams to the level of A-list composer. The announcement of his involvement with the NARNIA film came to have fairly high and hopeful expectations attached to it.

While THE LION, THE WITCH AND WARDROBE is a classic tale, the score has a bit of an unexpected, contemporary edge. It is hardly predictable and fancifully eclectic. While employing a full orchestra, more often than not, it's the subtle, lead, woodwinds and crystal-like percussions, occasionally accompanied by a chorus, that help transport the audience to this land called Narnia. The majority of this score might be considered a bit understated, but it is not without its moments. Tracks such as "To Aslan's Camp" "Father Christmas" and "The Battle" certainly give the soundtrack a much needed shot of life.

Gregson-Williams' score for THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE does lacks the dramatic depth of some of it's contemporaries such as THE LORD OF THE RINGS or even HARRY POTTER. This may be due to the arrangement or the mix causing the score can feel more synthetic than organic. Oddly enough it gives the work a personality of its own. The light, playful, transcendence of the music could be said to fit Adamson's style of storytelling...and may even help to set this new Disney franchise a part. The music of Narnia is not likely to be confused for any other.

The general soundtrack release contains almost an hours-worth of score and another 15 minutes of pop cues. These songs are grouped at the end of soundtrack, so the hard-core, score afficiando can easily bypass them. Still, if one dares to let the CD play through, at least one of these tracks might be found as surprisingly enjoyable in the context of this predominatly score album.

As Harry-Gregson Williams recently mentioned in Tracksounds' interview with him, it looks as though there is more to come from the land of Narnia. (read the full interview here)

Tracksounds Rating: 7/10

Available at iTunes (button will launch iTunes)

Or purchase here:

Harry Gregson-Williams Interview

On the heels of receiving a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Dramatic Score for his work for NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, Tracksounds is able to speak with composer, Harry Gregson-Williams about his epic score, working with director Andrew Adamson, and even the influence (or lack thereof) of Howard Shore's work for THE LORD OF THE RINGS.

Read the full interview here!