HAPPY NEW YEAR! - CD REVIEWS - AVPR, HITMAN & CLIVE BARKER'S JERICHO + NEWS FROM MONSTROUS MOVIE MUSIC & FILM SCORE MONTHLY
AVPR
Music by Brian Tyler
Varese Sarabande VSD-6865
21 Tracks 77:18 mins
One of the most eagerly anticipated films and scores finally is about to hit the scene. Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem (or AVPR, as it is commonly known) features a score by the ever-busy Brian Tyler, who most writers agree was a wise choice to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jerry Goldsmith, Alan Silvestri, James Horner, Elliot Goldenthal et al. And I'm pleased to say that he doesn't disappoint, writing some powwerful music of his own, as well as drawing from and developing films from the earlier Alien and Predator series.
The album gets off to an explosive start with Tyler's main theme which, like other sci-fi/fantasy themes of the past, owes something to Holst's Mars from The Planets. Thereafter, one great track follows another, scary dissonances alternating with powerful action cues. Particularly good integrations of past themes and motifs include a development of Horner's great action countdown from Aliens, much used in trailers over the years, and of course Silvestri's Predator theme makes its presence felt in later tracks.
Fans of the Alien/Predator franchise should not be disappointed with this lengthy, yet constantly entertaining album.
Hitman
Music by Geoff Zanelli
La-La Land Records LLLCD 1064
18 Tracks 45:47 mins
I was delighted to see La-La Land Records has released the score for the movie version of the popular game franchise Hitman, which of course received acclaimed scoring by Jesper Kyd, whose scores were released on CD by the same label. However, it's a pity that Kyd wasn't allowed to score the movie, even if I didn't always enthuse about his varied musical approach to the games. Instead, Hans Zimmer stablemate Geoff Zanellis got the gig and has come up with a pretty routine effort, which owes something to John Powell's Bourne franchise scores, particularly in the main theme (rhythmic strings, moving to a percussive/electronic beat) that pretty well dominates the album, either in stealthy or more full-on mode. The composer does however add some eastern flavour here and there, with some tragi-exotica representing the love interest for Timothy Olyphant's depiction of Agent 47.
A colourful booklet, featuring stills from the film, plus a note from the composer, accompanies the album.
Clive Barker's Jericho
Music by Cris Velasco
Promotional Release
13 Tracks 30:06 mins
I am very fortunate to be able to bring you a review of this promotional disc for the videogame Clive Barker's Jericho, which features music by the busy Cris Velasco. I just hope that eventually a commercial album might be released, so that you too may enjoy this splendid music.
Apparently Barker picked Velasco himself, and made a very wise choice, as he has graced the game with an orchestral/choral score that alternates between powerful and quite menacing, often savagely percussive, action cues and a few religious passages, featuring both choir and boy soprano, lead by the impressive "Firstborn Theme." Every track on this disc has something to offer, making it, like AVPR, one of the most constantly entertaining releases recently heard.
Great stuff!
FROM MONSTROUS MOVIE MUSIC
AVPR
Music by Brian Tyler
Varese Sarabande VSD-6865
21 Tracks 77:18 mins
One of the most eagerly anticipated films and scores finally is about to hit the scene. Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem (or AVPR, as it is commonly known) features a score by the ever-busy Brian Tyler, who most writers agree was a wise choice to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jerry Goldsmith, Alan Silvestri, James Horner, Elliot Goldenthal et al. And I'm pleased to say that he doesn't disappoint, writing some powwerful music of his own, as well as drawing from and developing films from the earlier Alien and Predator series.
The album gets off to an explosive start with Tyler's main theme which, like other sci-fi/fantasy themes of the past, owes something to Holst's Mars from The Planets. Thereafter, one great track follows another, scary dissonances alternating with powerful action cues. Particularly good integrations of past themes and motifs include a development of Horner's great action countdown from Aliens, much used in trailers over the years, and of course Silvestri's Predator theme makes its presence felt in later tracks.
Fans of the Alien/Predator franchise should not be disappointed with this lengthy, yet constantly entertaining album.
Hitman
Music by Geoff Zanelli
La-La Land Records LLLCD 1064
18 Tracks 45:47 mins
I was delighted to see La-La Land Records has released the score for the movie version of the popular game franchise Hitman, which of course received acclaimed scoring by Jesper Kyd, whose scores were released on CD by the same label. However, it's a pity that Kyd wasn't allowed to score the movie, even if I didn't always enthuse about his varied musical approach to the games. Instead, Hans Zimmer stablemate Geoff Zanellis got the gig and has come up with a pretty routine effort, which owes something to John Powell's Bourne franchise scores, particularly in the main theme (rhythmic strings, moving to a percussive/electronic beat) that pretty well dominates the album, either in stealthy or more full-on mode. The composer does however add some eastern flavour here and there, with some tragi-exotica representing the love interest for Timothy Olyphant's depiction of Agent 47.
A colourful booklet, featuring stills from the film, plus a note from the composer, accompanies the album.
Clive Barker's Jericho
Music by Cris Velasco
Promotional Release
13 Tracks 30:06 mins
I am very fortunate to be able to bring you a review of this promotional disc for the videogame Clive Barker's Jericho, which features music by the busy Cris Velasco. I just hope that eventually a commercial album might be released, so that you too may enjoy this splendid music.
Apparently Barker picked Velasco himself, and made a very wise choice, as he has graced the game with an orchestral/choral score that alternates between powerful and quite menacing, often savagely percussive, action cues and a few religious passages, featuring both choir and boy soprano, lead by the impressive "Firstborn Theme." Every track on this disc has something to offer, making it, like AVPR, one of the most constantly entertaining releases recently heard.
Great stuff!
FROM MONSTROUS MOVIE MUSIC
Announcing two world-premiere original soundtrack releases!
THE BLOB (and other creepy sounds) [MMM-1955]
THE INTRUDER (and other music by Herman Stein) [MMM-1956]
The first CD contains the classic Ralph Carmichael score from the 1958 cult Steve McQueen film THE BLOB [MMM-1955]. This release features the original music tracks in gorgeous monophonic sound, and in addition to the well-known Burt Bacharach/Mack David novelty title tune, the CD also has music not heard in the picture, including Carmichael's superb original orchestral "Main Title" that was dropped in favor of the song.
Filling out the CD are about two dozen horror/sci-fi/mystery cues from the Valentino Production Music library, including music heard in films like TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000, THE GREEN SLIME, and THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE! Music is by renowned composers like Angelo Francesco Lavagnino, Mario Nascimbene, Roger Roger, and others. A 14-page illustrated booklet contains all sorts of information about the music.
Our second archival release features the music of legendary film composer Herman Stein (THIS ISLAND EARTH, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE), and it’s a special limited-edition of 3,000 copies. This CD contains Stein’s complete score for Roger Corman’s THE INTRUDER, a hard-hitting film about Southern racism starring a young William Shatner.
The CD also includes the composer’s first film score, the delightful CAREER FOR TWO, miscellaneous cues from various Stein film projects, and a new recording of a brilliant solo piano work Stein composed way back in 1948. The release contains a 14-page illustrated booklet.
You can get more details and can order direct from Monstrous Movie Music at: http://www.mmmrecordings.com/
Monstrous Movie Music
P. O. Box 4445
Chatsworth, CA 91313
U. S. A.
(818) 886-8863 or (800) 788-0892
FAX: (818) 886-8820
monstrous@earthlink.net
THE BLOB (and other creepy sounds) [MMM-1955]
THE INTRUDER (and other music by Herman Stein) [MMM-1956]
The first CD contains the classic Ralph Carmichael score from the 1958 cult Steve McQueen film THE BLOB [MMM-1955]. This release features the original music tracks in gorgeous monophonic sound, and in addition to the well-known Burt Bacharach/Mack David novelty title tune, the CD also has music not heard in the picture, including Carmichael's superb original orchestral "Main Title" that was dropped in favor of the song.
Filling out the CD are about two dozen horror/sci-fi/mystery cues from the Valentino Production Music library, including music heard in films like TERROR FROM THE YEAR 5000, THE GREEN SLIME, and THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE! Music is by renowned composers like Angelo Francesco Lavagnino, Mario Nascimbene, Roger Roger, and others. A 14-page illustrated booklet contains all sorts of information about the music.
Our second archival release features the music of legendary film composer Herman Stein (THIS ISLAND EARTH, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE), and it’s a special limited-edition of 3,000 copies. This CD contains Stein’s complete score for Roger Corman’s THE INTRUDER, a hard-hitting film about Southern racism starring a young William Shatner.
The CD also includes the composer’s first film score, the delightful CAREER FOR TWO, miscellaneous cues from various Stein film projects, and a new recording of a brilliant solo piano work Stein composed way back in 1948. The release contains a 14-page illustrated booklet.
You can get more details and can order direct from Monstrous Movie Music at: http://www.mmmrecordings.com/
Monstrous Movie Music
P. O. Box 4445
Chatsworth, CA 91313
U. S. A.
(818) 886-8863 or (800) 788-0892
FAX: (818) 886-8820
monstrous@earthlink.net
From: "FILM SCORE MONTHLY"
Film Score Monthly presents a 2 cd set of Dimitri Tiomkin's original score to Land of the Pharoahs
For more detailed information, click on this URL:
posted by jeffhall | 11:39 AM
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