Fire Birds
David Newman
" David Newman goes further than Top Gun "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Fire Birds of 1990 was the answer to Top Gun of 1986, but one that received far less critical acclaim. The helicopter action film just didn't have the combination of star love power that Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis had. So most never saw the movie in the first place. What most haven't seen as well was the soundtrack of the score, receiving after 13 years its long due awaited release. And luckily for us David Newman fans it has arrived, because far too rarely has David composed music for something as action based as this.
And boy does it open with the expected gun ho manner we fans wanted from the start. The theme which immediately sets the score in motion (created in the typical David Newman sense of fanfares) is only aided here by the electronic beats that very easily remind us of Top Gun, a necessity I'm sure asked specifically by the producers of the film. The military drums (a necessity as well for these kind of motion pictures) are of course on board as well, and heighten "First Flight" to cool heights, especially once the theme comes out to play once again.
Considering the time and age, it is understandable to expect some lighthearted kitsch as well, especially considering the way Billy and Preston tease one another like it's a game. So David Newman plays around too, putting a dated cheesiness to the first part of "Reunion, Billy and Preston", "Laundry Mat" and "Copter Romance". That 80's cheesiness continues in "Simulator", when David tests out how well he can make it cool and electro light at the same time (the answer is pretty well). "Periscope Montage" doubles the excitement when cool meet fanfares.
But Fire Birds is mostly memorable when David throws away the kitsch, and goes for seriousness. "In the Bag", the amazing rhythm of "War Games" and the totally frenetic fanfare'riffic "Gates of Hell" are keepers. The 11 minute piece "Gates of Hell" is equally memorable for its thunderous use of strings (Starship Troopers anyone?) and for the fact it mimics the adventurous power of The Phantom. But what's most impressive is the fact the theme is always around igniting the excitement. And don't get me started on the thunderous string work that surely inspired Basil Poledouris enough to repeat it on Starship Troopers.
In general, Fire Birds is once again a soundtrack for the David Newman fan. Because they will accept and appreciate the ferocious fanfares and rhythm the easiest. But for those wanting a cool main theme, typical 80's pleasure and can stand a feisty moment here and there will perhaps digest Fire Birds as well. Again, this is not Top Gun. Because David Newman's style is all over the place. Plus the occasional hints do not warrant such a comparison. No, Fire Birds is anything but Top Gun, and the ferocious quality of the 11 minute action track shows us very easily this was never going to be another Top Gun. So digest that, you David Newman fan.
Favorite Moment - Gates of Hell (9.52 - 10.45)
The exciting string work is used more than once in this track, so better be ready for its continues thunderous impact
Track Listing
1. Main Title (6.04)
2. First Flight (3.38)
3. Reunion, Billy and Preston (1.55)
4. Simulator (3.39)
5. Laundry Mat (1.37)
6. Good Morning (1.28)
7. Copter Romance (2.43)
8. Boxing (1.32)
9. In the Bag (4.34)
10. Periscope Montage (4.35)
11. Corvette Drive (1.34)
12. War Games (5.54)
13. Flight to Camp (2.23)
14. Brad and Preston (2.34)
15. Gates of Hell (11.18) Excellent track
16. Final Scene (2.10)
Total Length: 57.38
And boy does it open with the expected gun ho manner we fans wanted from the start. The theme which immediately sets the score in motion (created in the typical David Newman sense of fanfares) is only aided here by the electronic beats that very easily remind us of Top Gun, a necessity I'm sure asked specifically by the producers of the film. The military drums (a necessity as well for these kind of motion pictures) are of course on board as well, and heighten "First Flight" to cool heights, especially once the theme comes out to play once again.
Considering the time and age, it is understandable to expect some lighthearted kitsch as well, especially considering the way Billy and Preston tease one another like it's a game. So David Newman plays around too, putting a dated cheesiness to the first part of "Reunion, Billy and Preston", "Laundry Mat" and "Copter Romance". That 80's cheesiness continues in "Simulator", when David tests out how well he can make it cool and electro light at the same time (the answer is pretty well). "Periscope Montage" doubles the excitement when cool meet fanfares.
But Fire Birds is mostly memorable when David throws away the kitsch, and goes for seriousness. "In the Bag", the amazing rhythm of "War Games" and the totally frenetic fanfare'riffic "Gates of Hell" are keepers. The 11 minute piece "Gates of Hell" is equally memorable for its thunderous use of strings (Starship Troopers anyone?) and for the fact it mimics the adventurous power of The Phantom. But what's most impressive is the fact the theme is always around igniting the excitement. And don't get me started on the thunderous string work that surely inspired Basil Poledouris enough to repeat it on Starship Troopers.
In general, Fire Birds is once again a soundtrack for the David Newman fan. Because they will accept and appreciate the ferocious fanfares and rhythm the easiest. But for those wanting a cool main theme, typical 80's pleasure and can stand a feisty moment here and there will perhaps digest Fire Birds as well. Again, this is not Top Gun. Because David Newman's style is all over the place. Plus the occasional hints do not warrant such a comparison. No, Fire Birds is anything but Top Gun, and the ferocious quality of the 11 minute action track shows us very easily this was never going to be another Top Gun. So digest that, you David Newman fan.
Favorite Moment - Gates of Hell (9.52 - 10.45)
The exciting string work is used more than once in this track, so better be ready for its continues thunderous impact
Track Listing
1. Main Title (6.04)
2. First Flight (3.38)
3. Reunion, Billy and Preston (1.55)
4. Simulator (3.39)
5. Laundry Mat (1.37)
6. Good Morning (1.28)
7. Copter Romance (2.43)
8. Boxing (1.32)
9. In the Bag (4.34)
10. Periscope Montage (4.35)
11. Corvette Drive (1.34)
12. War Games (5.54)
13. Flight to Camp (2.23)
14. Brad and Preston (2.34)
15. Gates of Hell (11.18) Excellent track
16. Final Scene (2.10)
Total Length: 57.38