Eddie The Eagle - Matthew Margeson |
3/8/16 |
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What You Will Hear: 80’s synth, drum machine, and rad beats. (Plus some modern woodwinds.)
Standout Tracks: Champion!, Eddie the Eagle, I’m Going To The Olympics, The Teaching Text, Oberstdorf, First Jump At Calgary, Peary’s Return, Eddie Jumps The 90m, Now The Real Work Begins Will You Be Humming Along? Try not to. The main themes are amazingly catchy and inviting. The album this makes me want to dust off: Free Willy – Basil Poledouris Will I come back to it? Yes. Does Matthew Margeson own a time machine? Seriously, he has to… It’s the only explanation for how he so expertly nailed this 80’s inspired score. The production team made a big decision to go with this sound to match the time period, and it could have destroyed any chance of an enjoyable listen. But, Margeson has created a score that is lighthearted and instantly endearing. I dare you to listen to “Eddie the Eagle” and NOT feel like conquering the world’s problems. The synth is perfectly executed and the drum (I assume) machine performs its role without ever sounding cheap or childish. But, it’s more than the instrumentation – the writing is perfectly 80’s. From the repeated synth notes in the bass, to the playful melodic lines, this score could easily be edited into any hit film pre-1990. Besides a few moments where it sounds like the Terminator is on the ski jump (See: “Eddie Attempts 70m), this score is unapologetically upbeat and uplifting. You’ll hear as many ascending heroic builds as you can handle. This is the score I wish other composers would write with modern instrumentation and techniques. With the cynical trend of modern movie making, that isn’t likely. So, Eddie The Eagle was a surprising delight – and that descriptor is not chosen lightly. Margeson has given us a score that will make you feel like a kid daydreaming about future triumphs. Very fitting. |