Flash of Genius
Aaron Zigman
" Flash of Genius isn't a flash of a genius. But it definitely holds some flashes of Zigman's geniality "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Composer Aaron Zigman has already made a name for himself in the business by composing music for adventure movies, comedy movies and sexual city escapades. But a genre I haven't heard him enough in is the dramatic genre. Call this a dramatic real life comedy, Flash of Genius gives composer Aaron Zigman the chance to push the envelope a bit harmonically. It ultimately becomes a lovely listening experience and an assurance this composer has got what it takes to guide the film music future once the Johnny Williams's have left us.
The opening of "The Warehouse" doesn't depict a happy score, with its lonesome horn solo. And in a way, this isn't. The somewhat emotional on edge depictions of "Mustangs" and the piano in "Drive to Previc's" show this all the more.
But Zigman is a too fine composer to let it all slip away too dramatically. The organ and guitar in "Back Home" are charming, performing the upbeat theme and the emotional main theme. The sprightly attitude in "Pray for Rain" is all the more attractive while "Losing It" is a lot more somber and heavier. But the strength of this piece is that it reminds me sometimes of Jerry Goldsmith. Here the horn solo strengthens the unnerving quality of the shrieking strings, while the main theme tries to counterbalance the weight. This is the longest track and a clever little stunner that shows Aaron Zigman definitely has potential in all areas.
The emotional piano in "Dennis Returns" and "Take the Deal", the funky organ in "Get Out", the heavy score in "It's not Over Yet", .... They are all meaningful but short. The horn solo that starts "Breakup" is all the more important. Here the upbeat theme gets a somber horn and funky organ version, flawlessly mixing both emotions together in one lovely piece.
And this theme hasn't shown the best of it yet. In "The Diner" it leads soft guitar, organ and growing strings into a wonderful emotional quality piece. In a mere minute Zigman shows you how easily a simple theme can become an enticing listening experience. Fans of John Powell, you'll definitely love this.
The upbeat theme returns in "Phylis & Jean" and in "The Porch" on soft piano. The organ shows itself in "It's Alive" and "Piece of Crap" while warm underscore in "The Letter" is noticed. All this is sadly represented in various utterly brief tracks. The finale is luckily a bit longer. In "The Verdict" the emotional resolution is reached through warm strings and soft brass. Nothing out of proportions, just strong enough for you to encounter the warm music of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.
The bonus track, a chamber work written by Aaron Zigman is a perfect albeit classical inspired piece presenting the various themes and motifs in the film. Being a 10 minute rollercoaster of ideas, it is a perfect diverse finale to a very emotional harmonious soundtrack.
Flash of Genius isn't a flash of a genius. But it definitely holds some flashes of Zigman's geniality. This is a soundtrack that can work on both the background as the forefront. It is charming, full of little motifs and themes, full of emotion and upbeat laughter. John Powell followers will definitely get a kick out of various tracks while others will finally discover Aaron Zigman surely is a composer with a bright diverse future.
Tracklisting
1. The Warehouse (1.08)
2. Mustangs (1.40)
3. Drive to Previc's (1.34)
4. Back Home (1.56) Excellent track
5. Pray for Rain (1.17)
6. Losing It (5.02) Excellent track
7. Dennis Returns (1.29)
8. Get Out (0.42)
9. Testimony Montage (0.55)
10. Take the Deal (0.44)
11. It's not Over Yet (2.22)
12. Breakup (2.12) Excellent track
13. Patent Library (0.37)
14. Make Another Kid (1.10)
15. The Diner (1.57) Excellent track
16. It's Alive (1.09)
17. Phylis & Jean (1.02)
18. The Porch (1.11)
19. The Letter (0.53)
20. Dafao's Final Offer (0.42)
21. Last Pill (0.40)
22. Piece of Crap (0.38)
23. The Verdict (2.42) Excellent track
Bonus Track
24. Vis Vitae (9.43)
Total Length: 43.36
The opening of "The Warehouse" doesn't depict a happy score, with its lonesome horn solo. And in a way, this isn't. The somewhat emotional on edge depictions of "Mustangs" and the piano in "Drive to Previc's" show this all the more.
But Zigman is a too fine composer to let it all slip away too dramatically. The organ and guitar in "Back Home" are charming, performing the upbeat theme and the emotional main theme. The sprightly attitude in "Pray for Rain" is all the more attractive while "Losing It" is a lot more somber and heavier. But the strength of this piece is that it reminds me sometimes of Jerry Goldsmith. Here the horn solo strengthens the unnerving quality of the shrieking strings, while the main theme tries to counterbalance the weight. This is the longest track and a clever little stunner that shows Aaron Zigman definitely has potential in all areas.
The emotional piano in "Dennis Returns" and "Take the Deal", the funky organ in "Get Out", the heavy score in "It's not Over Yet", .... They are all meaningful but short. The horn solo that starts "Breakup" is all the more important. Here the upbeat theme gets a somber horn and funky organ version, flawlessly mixing both emotions together in one lovely piece.
And this theme hasn't shown the best of it yet. In "The Diner" it leads soft guitar, organ and growing strings into a wonderful emotional quality piece. In a mere minute Zigman shows you how easily a simple theme can become an enticing listening experience. Fans of John Powell, you'll definitely love this.
The upbeat theme returns in "Phylis & Jean" and in "The Porch" on soft piano. The organ shows itself in "It's Alive" and "Piece of Crap" while warm underscore in "The Letter" is noticed. All this is sadly represented in various utterly brief tracks. The finale is luckily a bit longer. In "The Verdict" the emotional resolution is reached through warm strings and soft brass. Nothing out of proportions, just strong enough for you to encounter the warm music of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.
The bonus track, a chamber work written by Aaron Zigman is a perfect albeit classical inspired piece presenting the various themes and motifs in the film. Being a 10 minute rollercoaster of ideas, it is a perfect diverse finale to a very emotional harmonious soundtrack.
Flash of Genius isn't a flash of a genius. But it definitely holds some flashes of Zigman's geniality. This is a soundtrack that can work on both the background as the forefront. It is charming, full of little motifs and themes, full of emotion and upbeat laughter. John Powell followers will definitely get a kick out of various tracks while others will finally discover Aaron Zigman surely is a composer with a bright diverse future.
Tracklisting
1. The Warehouse (1.08)
2. Mustangs (1.40)
3. Drive to Previc's (1.34)
4. Back Home (1.56) Excellent track
5. Pray for Rain (1.17)
6. Losing It (5.02) Excellent track
7. Dennis Returns (1.29)
8. Get Out (0.42)
9. Testimony Montage (0.55)
10. Take the Deal (0.44)
11. It's not Over Yet (2.22)
12. Breakup (2.12) Excellent track
13. Patent Library (0.37)
14. Make Another Kid (1.10)
15. The Diner (1.57) Excellent track
16. It's Alive (1.09)
17. Phylis & Jean (1.02)
18. The Porch (1.11)
19. The Letter (0.53)
20. Dafao's Final Offer (0.42)
21. Last Pill (0.40)
22. Piece of Crap (0.38)
23. The Verdict (2.42) Excellent track
Bonus Track
24. Vis Vitae (9.43)
Total Length: 43.36