by Me. @filmscorefans
Every year promises to be the greatest year in film score history. When a film is a coming attraction, the accompanying music couldn't possibly be anything other than pure ear candy. Just ask Mrs. FilmScoreFans... particularly before each summer season, I've got an extra bounce in my step. So much promise. So much hope. That new action movie is going to be crazy intense. That new drama is going to sweep me off my feet. That new comedy will be silly but endearing. Every score will be amazing from start to finish. Themes! Great main titles everywhere!!
Then reality sets in, and I remember just how picky I am. My life has been spent searching for complete scores that are stellar from start to finish. Stargate. Shawshank. HTTYD. Every note is perfect. I've gone through dry spells that have lasted for years. The search can be a difficult one.
Every year promises to be the greatest year in film score history. When a film is a coming attraction, the accompanying music couldn't possibly be anything other than pure ear candy. Just ask Mrs. FilmScoreFans... particularly before each summer season, I've got an extra bounce in my step. So much promise. So much hope. That new action movie is going to be crazy intense. That new drama is going to sweep me off my feet. That new comedy will be silly but endearing. Every score will be amazing from start to finish. Themes! Great main titles everywhere!!
Then reality sets in, and I remember just how picky I am. My life has been spent searching for complete scores that are stellar from start to finish. Stargate. Shawshank. HTTYD. Every note is perfect. I've gone through dry spells that have lasted for years. The search can be a difficult one.
Water...! I need water...! Oh, and incredible music. Don't forget the thirst quenching incredible music.
But, 2014 brought about a change in my search pattern. Mrs. FilmScoreFan put me on a one-score-a-month budget. Evil, I know. Apparently, "money doesn't grow on trees" is something my father taught her to say.
Anyway, as technology progressed and hard drive space became obsolete, I began to realize that I needed to relocate my search to the Cloud. That should be capitalized right? It's a place, right? I assume there's some lucky dude in an office somewhere that gets me my music when I need it?
I turned to Spotify. Once I got over the fact that I would no longer be adding to my collection of scores, I fell in love with this option. About $10 a month gets me almost every new score around it's physical release date. (No, this is not an advertisement for Spotify. But, if they want to give me my subscription for free, I won't complain.) Instead of hoping that my monthly score purchase would pan out, I now have infinite listening choices. (Seriously wife, ONE per month?!?!)
And so, I've become much more forgiving when I only find a few amazing tracks on a score. I no longer live in fear of clicking the purchase button on iTunes.
Anyway, as technology progressed and hard drive space became obsolete, I began to realize that I needed to relocate my search to the Cloud. That should be capitalized right? It's a place, right? I assume there's some lucky dude in an office somewhere that gets me my music when I need it?
I turned to Spotify. Once I got over the fact that I would no longer be adding to my collection of scores, I fell in love with this option. About $10 a month gets me almost every new score around it's physical release date. (No, this is not an advertisement for Spotify. But, if they want to give me my subscription for free, I won't complain.) Instead of hoping that my monthly score purchase would pan out, I now have infinite listening choices. (Seriously wife, ONE per month?!?!)
And so, I've become much more forgiving when I only find a few amazing tracks on a score. I no longer live in fear of clicking the purchase button on iTunes.
Your power is gone!
Instead, I listen to everything, and just save the stuff I love. I know you're probably reading this and thinking, "Hey moron, the rest of the world caught onto this years ago." But, giving up the ownership of the physical albums was a big step for this Film Score Fan. A step I'm glad I took.
So here are the fruits of my new search pattern. In no particular order, I give you twenty two of the tracks that made me hit "repeat" over and over again in 2014.
So here are the fruits of my new search pattern. In no particular order, I give you twenty two of the tracks that made me hit "repeat" over and over again in 2014.
Torrance Tornado | Mr. Desplat had a major awesome incredible fantastic year. This slow main theme was a late addition, but quickly became one of my favorite dramatic themes of the year. I'm always enamored with themes that can maintain their warmth from the beginning to end of each phrase. |
Flying With Mother | One of the big questions coming into any sequel is always the introduction of new themes. This theme fits so well into the pre-existing HTTYD tonalities, but the melody is just a little "off." I don't have a technical music theory word for it. But for whatever reason, this melody (wonderfully orchestrated for the choir) represents Hiccup's mother perfectly. I want to be John Powell. |
Heist 3 | This entire album is a fun listen, but the thing that makes it stand out is the use of the acoustic bass. Mr. Trapanese gives us great electronic music - but makes it unique with this instrumentation. I don't think it is easy to do something unique in the world of Immediate Music-like scoring. Trapanese was very successful here. |
My Enemy | I never got a real feeling (in the Twitterverse) on fan reaction to this one. The first time I heard it, I hated it. But, I eventually began to appreciate the clarinet next to the vocalizations. Nothing more than that - I just like that mix. Now I turn it up to 11. |
The hanging Tree
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part i - The Lumineers & James Newton Howard
| | From The Lumineer's wonderful melody, to Jennifer Lawrence's simple inflection choices, to the wonderful orchestra climax at the end of the track - what's not to love? |
Black Tears | I've stated it before: I understand that sometimes film composers cannot fully realize their ideas. The images on screen dictate where the music has to go. But, this track takes it to the finish line. For two entire minutes, Mr. Bates gets to build anticipation, and then pushes the finish line back another 10 seconds with the antagonist theme. Finally, at 2:15 we get the heroic statement we knew was coming. Perfect. |
Sad Mayday | I simply cannot explain why I love this track so much. But, that might be one of the reasons I am so attached to it. Nostalgia. Sadness. Pride. Fear. Hope. It's all here in two minutes from a B-level animated movie. Especially at 0:55 and 1:30. If you skipped this one before, give it another listen! |
Revelation of immensity | Alan Silvestri + Neil deGrasse Tyson. Um, yes please. The moment at 1:20 accompanies the incomprehensable size of the universe. And instead of being overwhelming, Silvestri's music is a celebration of deGrasse Tyson's "star stuff" sentiment. |
Main Title | Portman's scores tug at the heart strings in a way few other composers have mastered. When this track began, it had a melancholy feeling to it that disappointed me. Even when the beautiful melody came in, I felt like something was just missing. It was wasn't written with her usual warmth. I distinctly remember my first listen - at 0:41 - I closed my eyes and smiled. There it was - warmth and beauty as it should be. I could go into the theory, but I'll just leave you with that smile. |
Taking a Stand | I loved the movie, and this might be my favorite Marvel score in context. But, I was a little underwhelmed by the score as an album. This track however, was on repeat for weeks after it came out. The horns speak to the nature of the "boy scout-ness" of the Cap character, but everything else in this track just screams turmoil. That juxtaposition won me over. |
Just kids | This track just oozes modern nostalgia. I can easily picture a montage of my own childhood memories with this music. Be it with family or friends, this track is just "simple-feel-good" all over. |
The Homesman Main Title | One of my greatest faults as a film score fan: I do not know much of Mr. Beltrami's music. With this score (among others), 2014 was a move in the right direction for me. The simple theme is so soothing. And then the mandolin just hits it home. |
Growing Up | This is an all around fantastic adventure/romance/animation album. It was difficult picking just one track from this score. But, who doesn't love a great montage? Factor in the horns at 1:20, and my mind was made up. |
Rowing | Every track on this album is worth a listen. This one, however, captures the playfulness and beauty of this score in just under two amazing minutes. |
Battle of the Bewilderbeast | You get every heroic and villainous theme in one track. And the build up to each moment is amazing. Check it out around 2:20 and especially 3:30. Bonus points: each theme has some minor changes or additions from the first film to keep things fresh. Example: go back to that 2:20 mark - just listen to the impact those trumpets make in between the main phrases. I want to be John Powell again. |
Demimonde (Main Title) | I know nothing of this show. But, after Escape from Tomorrow, Mr Korzeniowski is on my list of new must-listen composers. The cue kicks off with wonderful intensity and a "Danse Macabre" mood that (without any warning) gives way to beautiful strings at 0:40. On my first listen, I was totally unprepared for this switch - and it had me hooked immediately. |
The Imitation Game | I love great themes. Just like many of Mr. Desplat's offerings, this one had me right away. In contrast to Unbroken, this one is lighter and more mechanical (repeated descending piano), but is just as beautiful. |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Ignore the subject matter. Ignore how horrible the movie (apparently) was. IGNORE IT. This track is intense and fun. That's what it was supposed to be. Mr. Tyler was on point with this one. I just wish this track was attached to a much better film. |
rebuilding pixie hollow | Just a fantastically uplifting score, and this main theme is at its heart. I love the McNeely scores for this series, but none had ever come close to matching the original Tinker Bell score. This one almost gets to that same level. |
Cornfield Chase | Mr. Zimmer and I have a rocky relationship. I either love him or.. don't. I am always thrilled when he creates a sound that is new to his library. The use of organ, and the simple repeating melody are fantastic. |
Forsteri | One of the more recent releases, this score is full of great comedic writing mixed with hip (do kids use that word anymore?) adventure music. I love Forsteri in the same way I love the Kung Fu Panda scores. It is totally silly, but in the serious or cool moments - it could be substituted into any "serious" action movie. |
Maleficent suite | Along with Mockingjay, this score helped to give JNH his best year of this decade. I've missed the days of Signs, Dinosaur, Waterworld, etc... While he hasn't given us quite that level of greatness, Maleficent gave us a lot to enjoy. Particularly the ethereal section that starts around 2:30 - love every note! |
So that's my list. Remember, I'd love to be paid full time to listen to film music. If you want to make that happen, just let me know. But, because that hasn't happened yet, I'm sure I missed something. What did I forget? Comment below!
So, now we move onto 2015: Jupiter Ascending, Cinderella, Age of Ultron, Tomorrowland, Jurassic World, Inside Out... oh, and Star Wars. I cannot wait to make next year's "best of" list. Hope you enjoyed the music on this one!
If you didn't, I apologize. Let me know what I got wrong. I can take the heat.
So, now we move onto 2015: Jupiter Ascending, Cinderella, Age of Ultron, Tomorrowland, Jurassic World, Inside Out... oh, and Star Wars. I cannot wait to make next year's "best of" list. Hope you enjoyed the music on this one!
If you didn't, I apologize. Let me know what I got wrong. I can take the heat.
But, be nice!
Seriously, Godzilla and Apes fans - keep it civil.
Seriously, Godzilla and Apes fans - keep it civil.
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