Aquamarine
David Hirschfelder
" A feather light example of music that is just pleasant to listen to. "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Australian composer David Hirschfelder (best known for his music for Shine and Elizabeth) brings forward an utterly charming result in Aquamarine (2006's teenage movie about two best friends who stumble upon a real life mermaid). Fairly well appreciated and nothing more than a teen flick, the movie does portray three child stars who will appear in many future movies to come. For the score David Hirschfelder threw away his more serious classicism and presented a feather light example of music that is just pleasant to listen to.
What Aquamarine forgets to bring overtly, it corrects to present lightly. Maybe some composers could have pushed the envelope with smaltz and syrup, Hirschfelder goes a much softer way. This also reassures that the score isn't that noticeable at all in the movie. But it underscores whatever feel on screen pleasantly while achieving to maintain a nice doses of charm on disc. La-La-Land to the rescue and they salvaged this forgotten entry to present charm and delight, with a tail to proof it.
One of the most unique ways is how "Main Titles" opens the score. Mystical effects and Aqua's own humming and giggling over the score's soundtrack, creating early a bond with the nymph of the sea. Somewhat strangely is however the way David presents the unknowing presence of Aqua. Think of it as alienating musical sounds like those B-movies from the 50's, heard in "The Storm" and "Meeting Aqua".
The composer brings his own voice to the story and he maintains to keep that sound during the remainder of the movie. Aqua remains to receive the mystical effects with an occasional vocal "The Next Morning / Shell Phone Call", her love for Raymond receives pleasant guitar melodies in "Ray & Aqua / Magazines", "Paddleboat Date", "First Kiss" and the first part of "The Pier / Storm / The Buoy" while Aqua's father receives a more impending feeling in "The Next Morning / Shell Phone Call", "Making the Deal" and "The Pier / Storm / The Buoy".
Claire and Hailey's own friendship theme is lovely heralded through several short moments, receiving a beautiful airing in once again "The Pier / Storm / The Buoy".
By far the best moments in the score are when Hirshfelder pushes the orchestra just a tad towards the magical. "Hailey Rides the Dolphins" becomes a lovely jumping piece of joy, while "Finale" is utterly charming with piano and a playful guitar rhythm.
This is such a score that is just pleasant to listen to without having to really pay attention to it. It doesn't contain the themes that stick in the mind, nor the really overblown moments that push whatever emotion through your throat loudly. No, Hirschfelder's score is much more charming and lightly than I remember it in the movie, probably due to the fact it wasn't already noticeable to begin with. You can do no harm with Aquamarine if you want a flair, a breeze and a wink towards the extraordinary of a mermaid falling in love.
Tracklisting
1. Main Titles (1.20)
2. The Storm (2.04)
3. Washed Ashore (1.51)
4. Claire Falls In (1.35)
5. Meeting Aqua (5.35)
6. The Next Morning / Shell Phone Call (3.11)
7. Making the Deal (2.05)
8. Ray & Aqua / Magazines (1.45)
9. Paddleboat Date (2.40)
10. The Water Tower (2.45)
11. Hailey Rides Dolphins (3.14)
12. Aqua's Decision (2.38)
13. First Kiss (2.11)
14. Cecilia Climbs the Tower (2.08)
15. Hailey and Claire Argue (1.48)
16. The Pier / Storm / The Buoy (7.27)
17. The Tear / Goodbye (3.16)
18. Finale (4.03)
Total Length: 51.05
What Aquamarine forgets to bring overtly, it corrects to present lightly. Maybe some composers could have pushed the envelope with smaltz and syrup, Hirschfelder goes a much softer way. This also reassures that the score isn't that noticeable at all in the movie. But it underscores whatever feel on screen pleasantly while achieving to maintain a nice doses of charm on disc. La-La-Land to the rescue and they salvaged this forgotten entry to present charm and delight, with a tail to proof it.
One of the most unique ways is how "Main Titles" opens the score. Mystical effects and Aqua's own humming and giggling over the score's soundtrack, creating early a bond with the nymph of the sea. Somewhat strangely is however the way David presents the unknowing presence of Aqua. Think of it as alienating musical sounds like those B-movies from the 50's, heard in "The Storm" and "Meeting Aqua".
The composer brings his own voice to the story and he maintains to keep that sound during the remainder of the movie. Aqua remains to receive the mystical effects with an occasional vocal "The Next Morning / Shell Phone Call", her love for Raymond receives pleasant guitar melodies in "Ray & Aqua / Magazines", "Paddleboat Date", "First Kiss" and the first part of "The Pier / Storm / The Buoy" while Aqua's father receives a more impending feeling in "The Next Morning / Shell Phone Call", "Making the Deal" and "The Pier / Storm / The Buoy".
Claire and Hailey's own friendship theme is lovely heralded through several short moments, receiving a beautiful airing in once again "The Pier / Storm / The Buoy".
By far the best moments in the score are when Hirshfelder pushes the orchestra just a tad towards the magical. "Hailey Rides the Dolphins" becomes a lovely jumping piece of joy, while "Finale" is utterly charming with piano and a playful guitar rhythm.
This is such a score that is just pleasant to listen to without having to really pay attention to it. It doesn't contain the themes that stick in the mind, nor the really overblown moments that push whatever emotion through your throat loudly. No, Hirschfelder's score is much more charming and lightly than I remember it in the movie, probably due to the fact it wasn't already noticeable to begin with. You can do no harm with Aquamarine if you want a flair, a breeze and a wink towards the extraordinary of a mermaid falling in love.
Tracklisting
1. Main Titles (1.20)
2. The Storm (2.04)
3. Washed Ashore (1.51)
4. Claire Falls In (1.35)
5. Meeting Aqua (5.35)
6. The Next Morning / Shell Phone Call (3.11)
7. Making the Deal (2.05)
8. Ray & Aqua / Magazines (1.45)
9. Paddleboat Date (2.40)
10. The Water Tower (2.45)
11. Hailey Rides Dolphins (3.14)
12. Aqua's Decision (2.38)
13. First Kiss (2.11)
14. Cecilia Climbs the Tower (2.08)
15. Hailey and Claire Argue (1.48)
16. The Pier / Storm / The Buoy (7.27)
17. The Tear / Goodbye (3.16)
18. Finale (4.03)
Total Length: 51.05