Saturday, December 20, 2014

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!

2 comments:

  1. Sally, :D
    I am happier than a pig in....ah...truffles :)
    Can't tell you how cool it is that you reviewed these pieces!!! Really appreciate your musical maestro "take"....us (meaning me) unmusical laymen...sometimes just like music for purely emotional/aesthetic subjective reasons. Great to read your thoughts. Again, thanks so much! - - - Jay (the artist formerly known as FrW)

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're welcome! Hoping to make it to the cinema today to review the music of Unbroken, and the Imitation Game if there is time -- both look promising ;)

    Yes this is a good idea here, reader submissions welcome! I will make a note of that in the next entry!

    ReplyDelete