Soundtrack Review: Tangled

Hey there! It's been a while since my last soundtrack review, hasn't it? I can't believe I haven't done a review on this one yet.





Alan Menken, an American composer, has written the score for numerous Disney movies, including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and more recently, Enchanted.

Before I saw the movie, I wasn't quite sure what to expect as far as the score goes. Needless to say, I was very impressed. Menken was able to retain a more traditional feel that really enhanced the movie, while the songs with words were definitely more modern sounding. Mostly, as it usually is, it was the instruments he chose. The very traditional sound was created by using a blend of solo wind (don't know what exactly) and (I'm guessing) violin along with what sounded like a bodhran, or a traditional Irish drum, and a tambourine. This can especially be heard in the track Kingdom Dance, which is by far my favorite track from the movie.





Menken also did a great job capturing moods. The track below is a great example. I heard this track before even seeing the movie and I could tell that the scene took place at night because of the guitar, and I could hear light, and something grand and life-changing taking place. I was happily surprised when I saw the movie that I had been pretty spot on.





Finally, here's what the composer himself has to say about his music:

Notice the wall in the room there- Isn't it epic!?


Alright, I think I'm done raving about Tangled for a while. Enjoy the break while it lasts.

And in case you haven't heard it yet, I posted another composition in the previous post and I would love love love some feedback.

Also, I'm leaving for a trip tomorrow and probably will have little or no internet access. So just consider this your Soundtrack Saturday.

And finally, please pray that we don't have any more car trouble. We've had a lot of that lately and we certainly don't need anything going wrong while we're on our trip. Thanks!

Soundtrack Review: Flyboys

I'm not quite sure how I happened upon this soundtrack, but I'm very glad I did. Full of heroic fanfare and hopeful melodies, the soundtrack for Flyboys by Trevor Rabin is well worth listening to.

The score is quite different from his other works which include Batman, Armageddon, and National Treasure, which are noticeably heavier. Flyboys, on the other hand, is beautifully light.


What really caught my attention was the way Rabin presented the main theme differently. Almost every time it was used, it was played by a different combination of instruments. As you probably know, I dislike the overuse of themes and by using such a combination of sounds, Rabin was able to hold my interest throughout the entire soundtrack, not just the first few tracks.

I also noticed his sparse use of drums. When he did use drums, and he usually used snare, it was only when it was extremely necessary. He made me want to listen harder so that I wouldn't miss them.


I already shared the Main Title to you, so here are some of my other favorites. Listen closely for the different ways he presents the theme.





The first time I listened to this one, I didn't think I'd like it when it got all "battle-y" but it resolved and became one of my favorites. Really, it's hard not to like it because it's so exciting. But don't just pay attention to that! listen to all the different ways the theme is used! It's used in major, in minor, with low horn, with high strings, you name it! That's what makes this an especially noteworthy piece.





This is an ineresting one. Having not seen the movie, I can only imagine what's going on. The way the music swelled or dropped, went major or minor, helped me picture what could be happening. Again, but I didn't need to mention it, the theme creeps in there.



I'll admit, the first time I listened to the whole soundtrack, i thought the theme was used way too much. But over time, I've come to appreciate the different ways it was played. It has taught me so many useful things that I can apply to my own compositions. Flyboys is a brilliant soundtrack, and I hope you'll check it out.

(The Long Awaited) Soundtrack Review: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

This post has been in the works for some time now. I honestly just don't quite know what to say about it, so bear with me.

I've decided to do this one like I did TRON: Legacy. If for some reason you have a problem with that, then too bad. Deal with it.


As you may or may not know, David Arnold composed the score for this movie, not Harry Gregson-Williams, who did the first two. (Remember Mom, John Williams did not compose the score.) 


Where do I even start? In and of itself, it was amazing. Amazing? That sounds so inadequate! As much as I love Gregson-Williams' work, I must say that it was getting a bit... Uncreative. Prince Caspian just sounds like a remix of the first movie's score. It was definitely time for a change. Also, since this movie took place mostly at sea, not on land like the others, it required a Celtic, sailor-y flare that I think Arnold presented very well. What I also found interesting was the way he used Gregson-Williams' Narnia  theme. He didn't overuse it at all, as was the case in the first two movies, but I almost think he could have used it more. That sounds so weird coming from me. I often complain that composers overuse their themes. James Horner sure does! Besides, most of his themes sound the same anyway. Just compare the themes from Titanic, Braveheart and Glory to the Scottish folk song Loch Lomond and you'll see what I mean.

But I digress.

Where was I? Oh, yes. The theme. It was interesting because he decided to tweak it ever so slightly in order to keep the sailor-y feel. He decided to change one chord. You know how I think about chords so I don't need to tell you how happy it made me that Arnold took that opportunity to make the theme even cooler.


What didn't I like about the score? The songs were too short!

But EFC, they had to fit into the movie.

I know! I know! But seriously. Couldn't they just cut it to fit for crying out loud!? I wanted more! Just when I'm getting into a song, it ends! The audacity!

But there was something else about the music that I found very disappointing and it took me a while to place it. I loved the music, don't get me wrong, but I guess what I'm trying to say is it was nice, it was beautiful, it was pleasing to listen to, but it just wasn't Narnia. No other composer could ever make the music feel the same way, and Arnold is no exception. As a composer, we like to put a piece of our self into our music. Arnold couldn't put Gregson-Williams into his music, but he could put himself into it. And that's just what he did.

Now for my favorite songs:





This is Opening Titles. Though it totally isn't Narnian, I have to say, I really like how adventure-y it feels. The voices in the beginning remind me of the first track from Amazing Grace. I wonder if David Arnold always does that... What I also found neat was where he used pizzicato cello for rhythm. Over all, it sounds very watery and mystical, just how it should.




I included this one, High King and Queen of Narnia because it is one of the few tracks that uses the Narnia theme. I actually liked Arnold's take on it. He added his own twist that just made it sound a bit more ocean-y and mystical. But as much as I liked it, it just wasn't Narnia. I'm just happy he used the theme at all.




This one, Aslan Appears, also uses the theme, but there are a few chord changes that make it sound more ominous than Gregson-Williams'. I can't say I really liked it, but it definitely fit the movie.


I would put almost all of the songs, but I'll let you go listen to them on your own. If you liked the music from the other movies, then just know that it doesn't have the same feel at all. I did find that if I listen to it just for the music and I don't try to compare it to the others I enjoy it a lot more.


So there you go. Please, oh please leave a comment!

Soundtrack Review: TRON: Legacy

My new favorite soundtrack is officially TRON: Legacy, composed by Daft Punk. 

It's surprisingly awesome! I honestly wasn't sure if I'd like this soundtrack due to all the use of synthetic instruments. But the movie does take place inside a video game. Now I think that if they didn't use synthetic instruments it wouldn't have fit the movie at all. It actually added a bunch of mood to the songs.


It took me too long to do a single review for each song, and seeing as it's Finals week at school, I'm going to do this review the same way I did Treasure Planet. Deal with it. Except I also included my favorite songs and a short bit stating why I love them.


All I really have to say is Wow. Incredible. I absolutely adore this soundtrack and it has inspired me perhaps more than any other soundtrack I've ever heard.

What I found really cool was the way Daft Punk used low strings to create rhythm where timpani wouldn't have worked. By doing that, they were able to create a more "virtual" sound that would have been difficult to get by using drums.

Daft Punk also used a lot of horns, and used them very well. If you know me, then you know how I go crazy over horns. I enjoyed that quite a bit, but sometimes it felt like they were using too many horns all at once. But I'm pretty sure it fit the movie.


The only thing I found disappointing about the score was that their choice of chords was very basic and predictable. When I was listening to it for the first time (ask The Director) I could be heard saying things like, "And now it'll go to a G chord... yep. Now it's going to go major." Or better yet, "Argh! Why didn't they take that opportunity to switch things up? Why on earth did they choose the basic A minor chord when they could have used a D major chord?"

But I've got to say, they still did a really nice job. It sounds awesome and it sounds professional.



And now for your musical enjoyment:

NOTE: I know it probably doesn't affect you in any way, but I just thought I should warn you that for some reason, the videos are all exactly half a step higher than the original score. This makes me very unhappy. But it shouldn't bother you. Just saying.




This is Overture. It introduces one of the main themes. I love the brilliant mixing of real and synthetic instruments and the fact that Daft punk used all the right chords on this one.





This is Outlands. This one is a great example of those rhythmic strings I mentioned earlier. I also loved the way it builds and transforms over the course of 2 and a half minutes.


So there you go. TRON: Legacy was definitely way beyond my expectations and I absolutely adore it. Thanks for reading!


And I'm sure I don't need to mention it, but please leave feedback! Most appreciated, it is!

Soundtrack Review: Peter Pan

Just so you know, folks, I'm not talking about the old animated one. I'm talking about this one:

The score for Peter Pan was written by James Newton Howard, the same guy who did Treasure Planet. (In case you haven't yet, please read that review here)

It was suggested to me that I do a short review of each separate track, so I'll try that this time. Remember, you are more than welcome to leave suggestions of your own!


1. Main Title:

The Main Title is very much your typical opening score. It has a pleasant blend of the themes and uses many different instruments. It reminded me of the first score in How to Train Your Dragon called This is Berk because of the way Howard stuck the themes in there and his use of dynamics. The score goes from quiet and mysterious to full-blown swashbuckleyness and back again. I thought that was very cool.


2. Flying:

I almost didn't like it because of the use of synthetic instruments, but now that I've listened to it as a whole I think the unreal, static-y sound actually works. Because it was blended with real instruments I think it sounded better. If it had just been synthetic I don't think I'd like it very much. I also loved the way I could hear them flying with the use of violins. My other favorite thing about this song was, of course, the drums. You can't have a song like this without them. The ending of the song really got me with the horns and drums along with a synthetic something- I can't tell what.


3. Learning to Fly:

Not to be confused with Flying, this song begins much more intense. Then it mellows out a bit and takes on a Celtic/English feel. I liked the way the melody was passed among instruments and Howard's chord choices were very unique. This score is different from his others because, unlike most of his others, this one focuses on one main melody.


4. Tinkerbell:

This one is very mellow and mystical. The chords Howard chose for this one surprise me sometimes. I try to predict what will come and when it doesn't it makes me want to listen harder. It was hard to pick out a sure melody in this one. It seems very background-y.

5. Is That a Kiss:

I've got to say, the chords in the beginning of this score are just weird. I'll bet it fits with the movie, which I haven't actually seen, but for listening to alone it isn't my favorite.

6. Peter's Shadow:

Like Flying, this one uses synthetic instruments, though not as much. I really like this one because of the chord choice and the way Howard uses the synthetic voices- if, in fact, that is what they're supposed to be.


7. A Note From the Teacher:

I like this one because it begins with a funny sort of melody using a low horn. I can picture some pirate hobbling around on a peg leg for some reason. Then it gets into the main melody which is very energetic and playful while at the same time being somewhat intense. That is hard to do!


8.Build a House Around Her:

This one sounds very playful because very few low instruments are used. That's actually what I've been trying to begin doing with my own compositions. In the past I'd always depended on my bass clef to tell the story. This song is neat because it tells the story by using higher instruments instead.


9. Come Meet Father:

I'm not really sure why but it started out sounding Native American with the flute-y thing. I'm not sure that I really like this song either. It just sounds sort of awkward.


10. Fetch Long Tom:

This one reminds me of Treasure Planet, I think because of the melody. It's by far one of the most intense songs out of them all. Again, the use of drums makes the song all the better.


11. Mermaids:

This isn't a happy song. It just sounds heavy and dark. That must be the use of a droning note and the voices. I think I also heard a timpani in there. It's also pretty intense even if it isn't the most exciting or loud.


12. Fairy Dance:

This one is The Director's favorite, and I can see why. It's very light and dance-like. What she really likes about it is the voices. I like it because of the unpredictable chords Howard throws in there, and the occasional messing with the time signature. Over all it is an exceptional piece of music.


13. Set Them Free:

The beginning of this one reminds me of the song Ben from Treasure Planet because I can just hear something lurking in the shadows, just waiting to pop out. Then it gets somewhat intense and I stop liking it. No, it isn't my favorite, but I don't mind it too much.


14. I Do Believe in Fairies:

What I really like about this one is the way Howard began the song- with a very ocean-y, floating feel, and the piano. It worked. He sort of meshed Fairy Dance and Flying which was too cool. The drums completed it, as usual. I'm pretty sure this is my favorite song out of them all. The only disappointing part was the ending.


15. Poison:

As the name suggests, this is a more intense, heavy song. I didn't really like it, but I'm sure it fits the movie.


16. Please Don't Die:

This one is mellow and pleading, but it gets brighter and more hopeful, while still being unsure. Howard did a great job blending major and minor chords.


17. Flying jolly Roger:

 All I really have to say is that this song was very sparkly. Interesting, huh? Howard used the main theme but changed it just enough that it wasn't repetitive.


18. Peter Returns:

This one is reminiscent of the Main Title while still being its own piece. It stretches and bends the main melody. Also, it swells. Typical ending. What i found interesting, though, was that it only used one of the themes- the main one. It didn't even hint at any of the others.



Overall, the Peter Pan soundtrack was worth every penny. It was typical James Newton Howard. Just for fun, I made a playlist of everything I have by him and sometimes I couldn't tell what movie a song was from. This one was more similar to Treasure Planet, most likely because the setting and time period are similar. I did hear hints of Great Debaters thrown in there though, which I found interesting considering The Great Debaters takes place in America during the 1930's.


That's all! Again, suggestions are most helpful when it comes to this sort of thing. Please comment and tell me what you thought.

Soundtrack Review: Treasure Planet

Okay... I've never tried to write a review before, but I'll try.


First of all, with me, the music makes the movie. A movie with uninteresting music is uninteresting to me.

Likewise, a movie with good music, even if the movie itself isn't all that well made, is a good movie.

That's why I love Treasure Planet.

And. I. Mean. Love!


The soundtrack was composed by James Newton Howard in 2002. I really hadn't heard a whole lot of his music until I heard this, and now he is one of my top favorite composers along with Hans Zimmer, James Horner and John Powell. What a coincidence; The first music I heard from each of these composers had a Celtic flare. Hmm...

Among his many accomplishments are Dinosaur, Peter Pan (the 2003 one), The Waterhorse, and The Great Debaters (which I hope to review as well). He worked with Hans Zimmer on the Batman movies. Each has its own feel that is unique to the movie, but I've noticed many similarities between them. For example, Howard uses drums in his own special way (that I just love!) and he often uses the same patterns in his music.

I'll start with what I liked about the score. I really liked the way he captured the characters' feelings by altering the various themes used throughout the movie. For example, in one of the tracks where the main characters Jim and Silver aren't "getting along", Howard used their theme but put it in a minor key. I also thought it was neat when just the first few notes of their theme were used when they met. I think I was the only one who caught that, though.

Another thing I found neat was Howard's ability to use orchestral instruments, a Celtic style, and electric guitar in the same score. It was by far one of the coolest sounds I'd ever heard.

Finally, he didn't overuse the themes too much like James Horner tends to do. Howard used them only where they really wanted to be, and he altered them ever so slightly each time (with the exception of just 2 tracks, but it needed to be repeated there in order to get the right emotion). Sometimes he'd change the key it was in, sometimes the instruments used.


What I didn't like? I really don't have much to say here except that it isn't the greatest for listening through headphones because Howard used a lot of dynamics. But that isn't a problem, because without dynamics it would be boring. Sometimes, though, I think he went overboard with his crescendos.


If you like exciting Celtic, sailor-sounding music, this is a great soundtrack and is worth every penny.

Funny. I'm listening to the iTunes samples of Peter Pan and am noticing that it sounds almost just like Treasure Planet! Actually, for a moment there, I was convinced that I was still listening to Treasure Planet and was confused when I couldn't figure out what song it was. I'll have to add this to my wish list. I love it!

(This is entirely my own opinion, and I know plenty of people who may completely disagree with me.)