Fast & Furious
Brian Tyler
" Tyler continues the franchise in unoriginal mode "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
In 2009, Justin Lin resurrected the Fast and Furious for good, re intruding the crowd to the people that made the first one so beloved. Namely the one and only man who makes fast so furious. Actor Vin Diesel reprised his role as Dominic Toretto, the person that was severely lacking in Too Fast too Furious and was briefly spotted in Tokyo Drift. Now all the main characters are back, giving again some weight to the popular franchise. Back for another run as well is composer Brian Tyler who continues the franchise for director Justin Lin. Needless to say, the score received a soundtrack release by Varèse Sarabande, featuring more music than actual car races.
One of the biggest problems (for me) is aside from the lack of difference in Tyler's writing, his album presentations. Not only the album presentation itself which usually places the best in the first tracks, but also the sheer length of it all. Fast & Furious basically continues the trend, making the listening experience once again a challenge for those who are getting tired of the same flaws. That aside, the album delivers also nothing new for the familiar Tyler ear. For fans that's a good sign, for haters another one that bites the dust. It opens with "Landtrain", a track that's energetic as hell, but also so familiar, it shows Tyler still hasn't found a difference in his action writing. The basic ideas are here. Electric and acoustic guitar followed by loads of orchestral rhythm and whirling strings.
That's followed by "Fast and Furious", a pimped up version that underscores the coolness of the enhanced cars well, followed by more of Tyler's rhythmic action music in "The Border", "The Tunnel" and the electronically enhanced "Dom vs. Brian" (that does I have to say everything right excitement wise). Best not play this one whilst driving. A surprise however is "Suite", a track that should have been placed at the end, delivering lovely and strong orchestral music that has a 'haven't done this enough' kind of sound to it.
A guitar solo is not new for Tyler, but it nonetheless leaves a lovely imprint on "Letty" while the electric guitar does the same for "Amends". Making it all sound typically but enjoyable Brian Tyler like. However, like most of his albums, you'll hear so much disappointment after that. You'll know by now that the albums are sequenced in an order different from the film. Because placing the most enjoyable pieces in the begin is a risk, it makes sure what follows after that rather boring. And sadly Fast & Furious is no different at all. The few action pieces are non original, and most of the bulk of the underscore is even downright forgettable ("Tracer", "The Exchange"), making this one a long loooong experience to go through.
Why his albums have to last for the duration of an entire CD is beyond me, considering the material isn't that strong for such a long period of time. Fast & Furious is an unoriginal package that continuously shows Tyler's remarkable powerful voice in an unremarkable unoriginal style. Heard a few, you've heard them all, and this score will not change that at all. Considering the time makes it almost painful to experience again and again, I place this one in the category "I have heard the CD before playing it". Sad really considering half of an album would at least made it decent.
Track Listing
1. Landtrain (6.25)
2. Fast and Furious (2.20)
3. The Border (3.21)
4. Letty (2.13)
5. The Tunnel (3.35)
6. Amends (2.46)
7. Dom vs. Brian (6.51)
8. Hanging with Dom (2.29)
9. Suite (4.02)
10. Revenge (2.32)
11. Accelerator (2.04)
12. Vaya Con Dios (2.00)
13. In the Name of the Father (4.20)
14. Outta Sight (2.59)
15. Brian and Mia (3.18)
16. Tracer (2.04)
17. Letty's Cell Phone (3.44)
18. Real Drivers (2.30)
19. Fate (4.28)
20. The Exchange (4.15)
21. No Goodbyes (1.23)
22. Vengeance (2.57)
23. Memorial (1.42)
24. The Showdown (2.05)
25. Judgment (1.48)
Total Length: 78.01
One of the biggest problems (for me) is aside from the lack of difference in Tyler's writing, his album presentations. Not only the album presentation itself which usually places the best in the first tracks, but also the sheer length of it all. Fast & Furious basically continues the trend, making the listening experience once again a challenge for those who are getting tired of the same flaws. That aside, the album delivers also nothing new for the familiar Tyler ear. For fans that's a good sign, for haters another one that bites the dust. It opens with "Landtrain", a track that's energetic as hell, but also so familiar, it shows Tyler still hasn't found a difference in his action writing. The basic ideas are here. Electric and acoustic guitar followed by loads of orchestral rhythm and whirling strings.
That's followed by "Fast and Furious", a pimped up version that underscores the coolness of the enhanced cars well, followed by more of Tyler's rhythmic action music in "The Border", "The Tunnel" and the electronically enhanced "Dom vs. Brian" (that does I have to say everything right excitement wise). Best not play this one whilst driving. A surprise however is "Suite", a track that should have been placed at the end, delivering lovely and strong orchestral music that has a 'haven't done this enough' kind of sound to it.
A guitar solo is not new for Tyler, but it nonetheless leaves a lovely imprint on "Letty" while the electric guitar does the same for "Amends". Making it all sound typically but enjoyable Brian Tyler like. However, like most of his albums, you'll hear so much disappointment after that. You'll know by now that the albums are sequenced in an order different from the film. Because placing the most enjoyable pieces in the begin is a risk, it makes sure what follows after that rather boring. And sadly Fast & Furious is no different at all. The few action pieces are non original, and most of the bulk of the underscore is even downright forgettable ("Tracer", "The Exchange"), making this one a long loooong experience to go through.
Why his albums have to last for the duration of an entire CD is beyond me, considering the material isn't that strong for such a long period of time. Fast & Furious is an unoriginal package that continuously shows Tyler's remarkable powerful voice in an unremarkable unoriginal style. Heard a few, you've heard them all, and this score will not change that at all. Considering the time makes it almost painful to experience again and again, I place this one in the category "I have heard the CD before playing it". Sad really considering half of an album would at least made it decent.
Track Listing
1. Landtrain (6.25)
2. Fast and Furious (2.20)
3. The Border (3.21)
4. Letty (2.13)
5. The Tunnel (3.35)
6. Amends (2.46)
7. Dom vs. Brian (6.51)
8. Hanging with Dom (2.29)
9. Suite (4.02)
10. Revenge (2.32)
11. Accelerator (2.04)
12. Vaya Con Dios (2.00)
13. In the Name of the Father (4.20)
14. Outta Sight (2.59)
15. Brian and Mia (3.18)
16. Tracer (2.04)
17. Letty's Cell Phone (3.44)
18. Real Drivers (2.30)
19. Fate (4.28)
20. The Exchange (4.15)
21. No Goodbyes (1.23)
22. Vengeance (2.57)
23. Memorial (1.42)
24. The Showdown (2.05)
25. Judgment (1.48)
Total Length: 78.01