Back to the Future
Alan Silvestri
" A time traveling phenomenon is finally available after all this time "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
If you could be able to go back in time, what would you change so that your favourite soundtrack of all time would still receive that CD release you've been begging for all your life? Many, and I believe will have said to get ... The Lion King released. True, there's something about that which makes sense, but we're talking about time travel. And then nothing, I mean nothing comes close to the DeLorean of one Doc Emmett Brown. And while time travel doesn't exist, Intrada nonetheless went back in time to correct that mistake, because their Christmas present for the year 2009 is the complete 2 CD edition of Alan Silvestri's classic score Back to the Future.
Nearly 25 years in the making, it is finally among us. A full, deluxe edition of Alan Silvestri's breakthrough score. Containing one of the most recognizable tunes ever composed, the score for Back to the Future was long time considered to be a mere myth. But now the hamsters of Intrada have given us a real life answer to that myth, because with the release of the full score and the alternate score, we've received Santa's magic surprise that was hiding under their Christmas tree.
Yep, it is a present all right. A present that didn't age in time nor quality. Back to the Future deluxe still sounds brilliantly cool even after all those years. As you unfold the wrapping paper over your newly purchased soundtrack of Back to the Future, there is nothing more cool than to listen to "DeLorean Reveal", leaving the mystery of Silvestri's score to work its magic upon you.
The unbelievable fact you're holding Back to the Future in your hands is just like "Einstein Disintegrated", it is unreal as it is real. And then the magic is just beginning. "85 Twin Pines Mall" quickly becomes the thrill ride you'll know it will be. Silvestri's awesome suspenseful score is broken once Marty takes the ride of his life to the time of his past, giving you the first real taste of the main theme. It's easy to mention that this build up to that explosive main theme statement is some of the finest you'll ever hear, in filmmusic past, present and future.
The unbelievable feeling of Marty thinking it must be a dream transcends into "Peabody Barn / Marty Ditches DeLorean" and "55 Town Square", only to wake up in "Lorraine's Bedroom" with your mother by your side.
Nothing spells out better than your mother thinking you're Calvin Clein once you hear "Retrieve DeLorean", and nothing spells out better than to see you mention "1.21 Jigowatts" than hearing yourself saying it on TV, it makes Silvestri's score all the more amazing once you hear it finally on CD after all this time. And that can be said about "Skateboard Chase" as well, it's just like saying: 'wow, look at him go'. Meaning to hear that main theme go as it races around the town square.
The beautiful soft main theme version in "Marty's Letter" sounds even better than on paper, and the same can be said as well about the suspense growing to George's fist in "George to the Rescue - Pt 1" and "George to the Rescue - Pt 2". It's then also so sad it's interrupted by some unfitting source material. But it's nothing a kiss can't fix, because "Tension / The Kiss" grows deliciously to the song Earth Angel anyway.
The other source cue doesn't fit either, especially since we have a date with a clocktower. And in "It's Been Educational / Clocktower" we discover how brilliantly Alan Silvestri's music simply is. Riveting (Damn, where is that kid), Exciting (Damn) and downright breathtaking (Damn Damn), Alan Silvestri sends you back through time with a lot of adventurous notes. The exciting conclusion with "85 Lone Pine Mall", the absolutely thrilling "Doc Returns" and the 'never sounded better' concert version of "Back to the Future (End Credits)" shows you that one theme can truly make a difference.
The alternate score CD found on the 2nd disc was surely a gift even the devoted BTTF nut was curious about. And while the main material is basically the same, there are still differences. And with differences I mean: more on edge, more rhythmic and containing a lot less main theme statements.
The main theme statement in "Peabody Barn" remains, the unbelievable fanfare in "Marty Ditches DeLorean" stays true to the context and the trumpet in "55 Town Square #1 (Trumpet Open)" is interesting enough, yet unfitting (the second take is better albeit a bit more threatening). But these are the smaller moments, we wanted to see how Silvestri would have tackled the bigger moments.
It's then also wonderful to know that "Skateboard Chase" would have been in fact a bit brassier (even lacking the final main theme statement at the end), the same can be said about "George to the Rescue" (meaning it's brassier and a bit more exciting). But the biggest surprise still comes out of "Clocktower". In the begin it's all a little bit more heroic, in the middle all a bit more suspenseful and the end is even a bit more rousing. Altogether it's a peculiar mix of good things with weaker points, giving you a general taste that Silvestri simply didn't use his main theme that much.
The general idea behind the alternate recording sessions is that it didn't use the main theme as much as we remember it now. And while the director still wanted it bigger, the darker moments were deleted for more detailed scoring. But I think both scores would have worked either way in the finished product no matter what. Showing you that Alan Silvestri was indeed the right composer on the job, something Steven Spielberg had to admit as well after the second viewing of the film.
With the complete (super sounding) edition of the Back to the Future score, and with the alternate score thrown in the Flux Capacitor for extra fuel, time travel has never sounded this exciting. Not all is of superb quality, but it would be unwise to dismiss the underscore of Alan Silvestri as just basic underscore. Because for most of you, hearing this score after all this time will feel like remembering back when you saw the movie for the first time. It is pure nostalgia. But is it still nostalgia if you go back in time? No need to think about that know, because Back to the Future sounds as heavy as it did all those years ago. But then again, weight's got nothing to do with it, getting to save your kids in the future all the more. But that's for another deluxe edition.
Tracklisting
Complete Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: CD 1: 49.29
1. Logo (0.20)
2. DeLorean Reveal (0.46)
3. Einstein Disintegrated (1.22)
4. '85 Twin Pines Mall (4.43) Excellent track
5. Peabody Barn / Marty Ditches DeLorean (3.09) Excellent track
6. '55 Town Square (1.18)
7. Lorraine's Bedroom (0.47)
8. Retrieve DeLorean (1.15)
9. 1.21 Jigowatts (1.37)
10. The Picture (1.09)
11. Picture Fades (0.17)
12. Skateboard Chase (1.39) Excellent track
13. Marty's Letter (1.20)
14. George to the Rescue – Pt. 1 (0.50)
15. Marvin Be-Bop (2.25)
16. George to the Rescue – Pt. 2 (2.34) Excellent track
17. Tension / The Kiss (1.33) Excellent track
18. Goodnight Marty (1.31)
19. It's Been Educational / Clocktower (10.30) Excellent track
20. Helicopter (0.19)
21. '85 Lone Pine Mall (3.46)
22. 4 x 4 (0.40)
23. Doc Returns (1.14) Excellent track
24. Back to the Future (End Credits) (3.16) Excellent track
The Creation Of A Classic... Alternate Early Sessions: CD 2: 39.44
1. DeLorean Reveal (0.40)
2. Einstein Disintegrated (1.25)
3. Peabody Barn (2.17)
4. Marty Ditches DeLorean (1.56)
5. '55 Town Square #1 (Trumpet Open) (1.35)
6. '55 Town Square #2 (Trumpet Mute) (1.35)
7. Retrieve DeLorean (1.16)
8. 1.21 Jigowatts (1.36)
9. The Picture (1.08)
10. Skateboard Chase (1.40)
11. George To The Rescue (4.13)
12. Tension / The Kiss (1.42)
13. Clocktower (11.02)
14. '85 Lone Pine Mall (3.50)
15. Doc Returns (1.19)
Nearly 25 years in the making, it is finally among us. A full, deluxe edition of Alan Silvestri's breakthrough score. Containing one of the most recognizable tunes ever composed, the score for Back to the Future was long time considered to be a mere myth. But now the hamsters of Intrada have given us a real life answer to that myth, because with the release of the full score and the alternate score, we've received Santa's magic surprise that was hiding under their Christmas tree.
Yep, it is a present all right. A present that didn't age in time nor quality. Back to the Future deluxe still sounds brilliantly cool even after all those years. As you unfold the wrapping paper over your newly purchased soundtrack of Back to the Future, there is nothing more cool than to listen to "DeLorean Reveal", leaving the mystery of Silvestri's score to work its magic upon you.
The unbelievable fact you're holding Back to the Future in your hands is just like "Einstein Disintegrated", it is unreal as it is real. And then the magic is just beginning. "85 Twin Pines Mall" quickly becomes the thrill ride you'll know it will be. Silvestri's awesome suspenseful score is broken once Marty takes the ride of his life to the time of his past, giving you the first real taste of the main theme. It's easy to mention that this build up to that explosive main theme statement is some of the finest you'll ever hear, in filmmusic past, present and future.
The unbelievable feeling of Marty thinking it must be a dream transcends into "Peabody Barn / Marty Ditches DeLorean" and "55 Town Square", only to wake up in "Lorraine's Bedroom" with your mother by your side.
Nothing spells out better than your mother thinking you're Calvin Clein once you hear "Retrieve DeLorean", and nothing spells out better than to see you mention "1.21 Jigowatts" than hearing yourself saying it on TV, it makes Silvestri's score all the more amazing once you hear it finally on CD after all this time. And that can be said about "Skateboard Chase" as well, it's just like saying: 'wow, look at him go'. Meaning to hear that main theme go as it races around the town square.
The beautiful soft main theme version in "Marty's Letter" sounds even better than on paper, and the same can be said as well about the suspense growing to George's fist in "George to the Rescue - Pt 1" and "George to the Rescue - Pt 2". It's then also so sad it's interrupted by some unfitting source material. But it's nothing a kiss can't fix, because "Tension / The Kiss" grows deliciously to the song Earth Angel anyway.
The other source cue doesn't fit either, especially since we have a date with a clocktower. And in "It's Been Educational / Clocktower" we discover how brilliantly Alan Silvestri's music simply is. Riveting (Damn, where is that kid), Exciting (Damn) and downright breathtaking (Damn Damn), Alan Silvestri sends you back through time with a lot of adventurous notes. The exciting conclusion with "85 Lone Pine Mall", the absolutely thrilling "Doc Returns" and the 'never sounded better' concert version of "Back to the Future (End Credits)" shows you that one theme can truly make a difference.
The alternate score CD found on the 2nd disc was surely a gift even the devoted BTTF nut was curious about. And while the main material is basically the same, there are still differences. And with differences I mean: more on edge, more rhythmic and containing a lot less main theme statements.
The main theme statement in "Peabody Barn" remains, the unbelievable fanfare in "Marty Ditches DeLorean" stays true to the context and the trumpet in "55 Town Square #1 (Trumpet Open)" is interesting enough, yet unfitting (the second take is better albeit a bit more threatening). But these are the smaller moments, we wanted to see how Silvestri would have tackled the bigger moments.
It's then also wonderful to know that "Skateboard Chase" would have been in fact a bit brassier (even lacking the final main theme statement at the end), the same can be said about "George to the Rescue" (meaning it's brassier and a bit more exciting). But the biggest surprise still comes out of "Clocktower". In the begin it's all a little bit more heroic, in the middle all a bit more suspenseful and the end is even a bit more rousing. Altogether it's a peculiar mix of good things with weaker points, giving you a general taste that Silvestri simply didn't use his main theme that much.
The general idea behind the alternate recording sessions is that it didn't use the main theme as much as we remember it now. And while the director still wanted it bigger, the darker moments were deleted for more detailed scoring. But I think both scores would have worked either way in the finished product no matter what. Showing you that Alan Silvestri was indeed the right composer on the job, something Steven Spielberg had to admit as well after the second viewing of the film.
With the complete (super sounding) edition of the Back to the Future score, and with the alternate score thrown in the Flux Capacitor for extra fuel, time travel has never sounded this exciting. Not all is of superb quality, but it would be unwise to dismiss the underscore of Alan Silvestri as just basic underscore. Because for most of you, hearing this score after all this time will feel like remembering back when you saw the movie for the first time. It is pure nostalgia. But is it still nostalgia if you go back in time? No need to think about that know, because Back to the Future sounds as heavy as it did all those years ago. But then again, weight's got nothing to do with it, getting to save your kids in the future all the more. But that's for another deluxe edition.
Tracklisting
Complete Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: CD 1: 49.29
1. Logo (0.20)
2. DeLorean Reveal (0.46)
3. Einstein Disintegrated (1.22)
4. '85 Twin Pines Mall (4.43) Excellent track
5. Peabody Barn / Marty Ditches DeLorean (3.09) Excellent track
6. '55 Town Square (1.18)
7. Lorraine's Bedroom (0.47)
8. Retrieve DeLorean (1.15)
9. 1.21 Jigowatts (1.37)
10. The Picture (1.09)
11. Picture Fades (0.17)
12. Skateboard Chase (1.39) Excellent track
13. Marty's Letter (1.20)
14. George to the Rescue – Pt. 1 (0.50)
15. Marvin Be-Bop (2.25)
16. George to the Rescue – Pt. 2 (2.34) Excellent track
17. Tension / The Kiss (1.33) Excellent track
18. Goodnight Marty (1.31)
19. It's Been Educational / Clocktower (10.30) Excellent track
20. Helicopter (0.19)
21. '85 Lone Pine Mall (3.46)
22. 4 x 4 (0.40)
23. Doc Returns (1.14) Excellent track
24. Back to the Future (End Credits) (3.16) Excellent track
The Creation Of A Classic... Alternate Early Sessions: CD 2: 39.44
1. DeLorean Reveal (0.40)
2. Einstein Disintegrated (1.25)
3. Peabody Barn (2.17)
4. Marty Ditches DeLorean (1.56)
5. '55 Town Square #1 (Trumpet Open) (1.35)
6. '55 Town Square #2 (Trumpet Mute) (1.35)
7. Retrieve DeLorean (1.16)
8. 1.21 Jigowatts (1.36)
9. The Picture (1.08)
10. Skateboard Chase (1.40)
11. George To The Rescue (4.13)
12. Tension / The Kiss (1.42)
13. Clocktower (11.02)
14. '85 Lone Pine Mall (3.50)
15. Doc Returns (1.19)