Per reader request!

Hi readers,

Having taken a listen to the 'Dead Man' score as well as 'The Long Riders' and Agents of Shield TV score, here are my thoughts ... note: I have not actually seen these films, only heard the music.

Dead Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAgwoEUGgro

The score is as much a musical journey as the film is an existential one. Word of warning: you must appreciate electric guitar....a LOT. In its form, the score is minimalist: for those of you non-nerds out there, this just means that the chords/harmonies are largely static and don't really change. Which means that any change in musical motion relies heavily on whatever the solo guitar does, and the tone of the instrument itself. Also, rhythmically, the pattern will change without you even noticing. The score flows like a river; though after a while you find yourself truly anticipating that solo guitar again.

The Long Riders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja8kv4Hvzuk&list=PLNF07pv26L8MDz-YzKn8UU2xOGZZAO0X9

Overall contains a lot of bluegrass/country, but elements like fife and snare in track 2 bring out the Civil War flavor and some vocals to boot. There are country songs, with old-school rhythms and steel guitar. Nuff said. The whole score is worth a listen or two.

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV3caseYUy0

A decent opening theme song - Bear McCreary refrains from going all out with brass and/or percussion, and getting caught in stereotypical fanfares as some other composers do. The theme here is a bit reminiscient of John Powell's work in The Bourne Supremacy.

An early Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Upcoming Reviews

Readers,

I must see the following:

Unbroken
The Imitation Game
The Theory of Everything

Yes, they're dramas, but let's face it - the best stories tend to generate the best music! Consider Gravity and Steven Price for instance. Or Forrest Gump and Alan Silvestri. Or a host of others.

Today I am perusing more soundtracks in search of the best music - I'm mostly caught up. Mostly. You can watch some new, fun trailers on Youtube :)

Stay tuned for (gasp!) actual film music reviews on the above-mentioned movies.

SF