Angels in America
Thomas Newman
" Angels in America is nothing less than stellar "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Angels in America was one of the top series of HBO, an all star mini series that was adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning play of the same name by Tony Kushner. Kushner adapted his original text for the screen, and Mike Nichols directed it. Set in 1985, the series has at its core the story of two couples whose relationships dissolve amidst the backdrop of Reagan's politics, the spreading AIDS epidemic and a rapidly changing social and political climate. Critically acclaimed, starring incredible names as Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, James Cromwell and many others, and receiving multiple nominations including a Grammy nomination for Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, Angels in America was an absolute triumph. And for me personally, it deserved nothing less than an Oscar. Alas, Oscars aren't given to series.
Because many will say it, Angels in America is one of the all time best of Thomas Newman. The opening cue "Threshold of Revelation" might not fully say it yet, but its opening for choir and trumpets is nonetheless intriguing. And add to that one of the most beautiful main titles of Thomas Newman to that in "Angels in America (Main Title)" and you might believe it could be true. The lovely "Ellis Island", the mystical "Acolyte of the Flux", the harsh "The Ramble" and the ever enchanting beauty of "Ozone" might be short, we all know how much Newman can do with so little to make it at least interesting for the duration.
I detest the use of the songs during Thomas Newman's material however, because it ain't got any business between a truly atmospheric track like "Quartet" and "Bayeux Tapestry", another beautiful piece for those everlasting string magnificences of him. Nor between the choral singing of "The Infinite Descent" and that enchanting choral touch of "Broom of Truth". Yet then again, so is every track in Angels in America enchanting, enchanting as it is interesting. "Mauve Antarctica" is such a lovely piece of delight, housing those unbelievable flute moments you'll want to return to.
But that doesn't mean everything's peachy in Angels in America. Because there's real dissonance too. We heard it briefly in the first track, and we re discover the horror through truly a disturbing use of an electric guitar in "Her Fabulous Incipience" and "Submit!", tracks you have to experience for their horror and its choral explosion in the latter track. A track that eventually leads to this album's most amazing track of all. Namely the true astonishing explosion of choir in "Plasma Orgasmata", a powerful cue that literally screams for attention. And the same can be said about "Black Angel", a track that has the scratching horror attacks of tracks 15 and 19, but furthermore rhythmic percussion, thunderous fanfares and choral outbursts, delivering what is essentially a stupendous horror track experienced through the mind of Thomas Newman.
Meaning Angels in America continuously screams for your attention, whether through the utterly beautiful main theme returning on solo violin in "The Mormons", whether through the beautiful delight and the mystical vocals in "More Life", whether through the return of the choral fanfare in "Garden of the Soul" or through one of Thomas Newman's most beautiful creations yet, namely "The Great Work Begins (End Title)", a track that rivals the beauty and emotional resonance of Meet Joe Black. Making nothing about Angels in America ordinary.
As said, it's hard to compare the greatest works of Thomas Newman with Angels in America, because not a single one has that absolute interesting charm. I can rather compare it with his more eclectic works, but with that sole exception that the material allows him to go full overboard with it. Full on emotion, full on power, full on potential. Because how stiff and non explosive the subject matter might appear to read, expect nothing stiffy about Thomas Newman's all conquering quest for beauty, power and emotion in what is essentially 2003's most enchanting and interesting piece of all. And definitely Newman's most mind blowing diverse creation until this day.
Track Listing
1. Threshold of Revelation (0.55)
2. Angels in America (Main Title) (2.19) Excellent track
3. Lesionnaire (0.40)
4. Ellis Island (2.06)
5. Acolyte of the Flux (1.15)
6. Umdankbar Kind (1.25)
7. The Ramble (1.08)
8. Ozone (0.58)
9. Pill Poppers (1.17)
10. Quartet (6.45)
11. Solitude: Duke Ellington (3.12)
12. Bayeux Tapestry (1.49) Excellent track
13. Spotty Monster (0.48)
14. Mauve Antarctica (4.48) Excellent track
15. Her Fabulous Incipience (1.06)
16. The Infinite Descent (0.56)
17. A Closer Walk with Thee: George Lewis and his Ragtime Band (02:57)
18. Broom of Truth (2.51)
19. Submit! (1.16)
20. Plasma Orgasmata (2.58) Excellent track
21. Delicate Particle Logic (1.38)
22. The Mormons (1.51) Excellent track
23. Prophet Birds (2.43)
24. More Life (2.10) Excellent track
25. Black Angel (4.11) Excellent track
26. Garden of the Soul (4.06) Excellent track
27. Heaven (2.02)
28. Bethesda Fountain (1.19)
29. The Great Work Begins (End Title) (3.57) Excellent track
30. Tropopause (2.58) Excellent track
31. I'm His Child: Zella Jackson Price (3.36)
Total Length: 72.00
Because many will say it, Angels in America is one of the all time best of Thomas Newman. The opening cue "Threshold of Revelation" might not fully say it yet, but its opening for choir and trumpets is nonetheless intriguing. And add to that one of the most beautiful main titles of Thomas Newman to that in "Angels in America (Main Title)" and you might believe it could be true. The lovely "Ellis Island", the mystical "Acolyte of the Flux", the harsh "The Ramble" and the ever enchanting beauty of "Ozone" might be short, we all know how much Newman can do with so little to make it at least interesting for the duration.
I detest the use of the songs during Thomas Newman's material however, because it ain't got any business between a truly atmospheric track like "Quartet" and "Bayeux Tapestry", another beautiful piece for those everlasting string magnificences of him. Nor between the choral singing of "The Infinite Descent" and that enchanting choral touch of "Broom of Truth". Yet then again, so is every track in Angels in America enchanting, enchanting as it is interesting. "Mauve Antarctica" is such a lovely piece of delight, housing those unbelievable flute moments you'll want to return to.
But that doesn't mean everything's peachy in Angels in America. Because there's real dissonance too. We heard it briefly in the first track, and we re discover the horror through truly a disturbing use of an electric guitar in "Her Fabulous Incipience" and "Submit!", tracks you have to experience for their horror and its choral explosion in the latter track. A track that eventually leads to this album's most amazing track of all. Namely the true astonishing explosion of choir in "Plasma Orgasmata", a powerful cue that literally screams for attention. And the same can be said about "Black Angel", a track that has the scratching horror attacks of tracks 15 and 19, but furthermore rhythmic percussion, thunderous fanfares and choral outbursts, delivering what is essentially a stupendous horror track experienced through the mind of Thomas Newman.
Meaning Angels in America continuously screams for your attention, whether through the utterly beautiful main theme returning on solo violin in "The Mormons", whether through the beautiful delight and the mystical vocals in "More Life", whether through the return of the choral fanfare in "Garden of the Soul" or through one of Thomas Newman's most beautiful creations yet, namely "The Great Work Begins (End Title)", a track that rivals the beauty and emotional resonance of Meet Joe Black. Making nothing about Angels in America ordinary.
As said, it's hard to compare the greatest works of Thomas Newman with Angels in America, because not a single one has that absolute interesting charm. I can rather compare it with his more eclectic works, but with that sole exception that the material allows him to go full overboard with it. Full on emotion, full on power, full on potential. Because how stiff and non explosive the subject matter might appear to read, expect nothing stiffy about Thomas Newman's all conquering quest for beauty, power and emotion in what is essentially 2003's most enchanting and interesting piece of all. And definitely Newman's most mind blowing diverse creation until this day.
Track Listing
1. Threshold of Revelation (0.55)
2. Angels in America (Main Title) (2.19) Excellent track
3. Lesionnaire (0.40)
4. Ellis Island (2.06)
5. Acolyte of the Flux (1.15)
6. Umdankbar Kind (1.25)
7. The Ramble (1.08)
8. Ozone (0.58)
9. Pill Poppers (1.17)
10. Quartet (6.45)
11. Solitude: Duke Ellington (3.12)
12. Bayeux Tapestry (1.49) Excellent track
13. Spotty Monster (0.48)
14. Mauve Antarctica (4.48) Excellent track
15. Her Fabulous Incipience (1.06)
16. The Infinite Descent (0.56)
17. A Closer Walk with Thee: George Lewis and his Ragtime Band (02:57)
18. Broom of Truth (2.51)
19. Submit! (1.16)
20. Plasma Orgasmata (2.58) Excellent track
21. Delicate Particle Logic (1.38)
22. The Mormons (1.51) Excellent track
23. Prophet Birds (2.43)
24. More Life (2.10) Excellent track
25. Black Angel (4.11) Excellent track
26. Garden of the Soul (4.06) Excellent track
27. Heaven (2.02)
28. Bethesda Fountain (1.19)
29. The Great Work Begins (End Title) (3.57) Excellent track
30. Tropopause (2.58) Excellent track
31. I'm His Child: Zella Jackson Price (3.36)
Total Length: 72.00