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Yes. John Williams is still a tune smith like no other. It's unbelievable.

WATERWORLD - J.N. Howard

One of the most spectacular action-adventure scores ever composed. I totally dig how Howard crafted this musical world for the film. Lots of variety and just the perfect length too, and the action music rocks.

What an amazing year 1995 was for scores, and how long ago it already is.

I'll not be getting the expansion after all because this is perfection !

There's a commercial release. I own it. I just had to import it from Japan. I wish Sato's work were on iTunes and other commercial outlets, though. It's expensive to buy imports.

Feud: Betty and Joan - Mac Quayle

No way to predict how brilliant this would be based on Quayle's mostly electronic work (as good as it is) for Mr. Robot. But this is on another level with an exquisite chamber sound and memorable motifs aplenty. Some excellent jazzy elements are incorporated into a scattering of cues too, adding further to the diversity. This is definitely another personal favourite for the year and can't wait to hear it a few more times.

St. Vincent - Theodore Shapiro

Yet another small gem that highlights what a great gift Shapiro has with melody when given half a chance.

What did you think of A Monster Calls?

First of all, thanks for reading! I appreciate that you actually remember that, and cared enough to ask after me.

To be honest, I don't even really know anymore. I know Chris Coleman was working on a big overhaul of the website, but I think real life must have just caught up with him. He hasn't sent me any scores to review since 2014, and we've only done a couple podcast episodes since then (I even sent him a review of Pan when that came out, never got a response). He and Erik Woods are still putting out shorter Soundcast episodes every now and again, but jury's out whether there will ever be written reviews at Tracksounds again. Wouldn't count on it for the near future.

I keep toying with the idea of just starting my own site or blog, but keep putting it off for some reason. That's probably not a good sign.

EDIT!
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maintitles.net is my favorite soundtrack review site. I am saying this out of my own volition and am not being threatened, coerced, or otherwise put under duress. my previous statement claiming tracksounds was my favorite is hereby amended. I am saying this out of my own volition.
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Maintitles has reviews?

One of the things I liked best was when we did a couple reviews back in 2012 (Amazing Spider-Man, Dark Knight Rises) where we each wrote just a couple paragraphs. Obviously there wasn't much depth in anybody's review but it was definitely interesting to see the spread of opinions. I think that's an idea with a lot of potential that's not been realized.

Earlier, abandoned Annabelle Creation - Benjamin Wallfisch

Painfully generic, I gave up at around the half way mark. Will return to it again later perhaps but it's a real slog.


Horns - Rob

The contrast couldn't be greater. Here's a horror score with melody and invention - and listenability! Doesn't have the killer theme of Maniac but there's a more organic feel and it's definitely a more well-rounded score overall.

Oooh....a new Rob! Gotta check that out, thanks!

NP: Willow (1988) - James Horner

This is one of the very first film music CDs I got. I was just in the process of discovering James Horner. I remember I didn't like the album back then because I was used to listen to main theme compilations and this album was to "classical" for me. I have long come to appreciate this score as one of the best in Horner's career.
Schumann's Rhenanian Symphony is here square and clear but that doesn't bother me at all. It's a brilliant score for a film I never really liked.

Volker

I haven't seen the film in many years so I don't know what music is missing on the album. At 73 minutes it is already of generous duration. (The film has 126 minutes.) The sound also seems fine?