Frailty
Brian Tyler
" effective mood wins you over "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Frailty is the directorial debut of actor Bill Paxton and the beginning of a partnership with composer Brian Tyler, of whom Paxton was able to rely on as well on The Greatest Game Ever Played. However both movies couldn't be worlds apart, considering Frailty goes about a father's belief he is send out by god to kill demons. Frailty received positive buzz and proved to be a well thought out project for director / actor Bill Paxton. For Brian Tyler it was the chance to put himself on the map for good, with a sinister moody soundtrack that continues to captivate you.
Of course captivation goes far when you have a solid main theme at the basis. And despite sounding somewhat in the vein of The Haunting, Basic Instinct and mysterious melodies like that, Frailty uses it sparingly but enough. It's more a hook than an actual keeper and supports the moodiness well in the film. On itself, Frailty has nothing remarkable to offer. But the constant mood and dread of Frailty is enough to keep you interested until the end. The brief hints towards Darkness Falls are noticeable ("The List", "End Titles") and the occasional atonal outbreaks are sparingly but damn effective and creepy ("Laying of Hands", "Chosen", "The Barn" and "Destiny Fulfilled").
There's a constant returning piano melody that puts the E in emotion while the strings constantly add the M to the mystery. The eerie vocals and constant mood of "A Call to Arms" unveil nothing remarkable, but their capacity to keep one enthralled is frighteningly effective. The final track even dares to raise a couple of bars with the Goldsmith like main theme. In short Frailty is a score that's damn effective and even somewhat enjoyable to listen to, but will be quickly forgotten after you finished the listen.
Track Listing
1. Main Title (3.13)
2. Peace in the Valley: Johnny Cash (2.54)
3. Frailty (1.00)
4. Brothers (1.09)
5. Fenton (0.53)
6. The List (0.51)
7. The Abduction of Edward March (0.57)
8. Laying of Hands (3.18)
9. Thurman, 1979 (1.23)
10. Chosen (2.47)
11. The Rose Garden (4.13)
12. The Barn (5.45)
13. Destiny Fulfilled (4.53)
14. A Call to Arms (6.23)
15. Ball and Chain: Dale Watson (4.09)
16. A Real Country Song: Dale Watson (3.25)
17. End Titles (4.44)
Total Length: 51.57
Of course captivation goes far when you have a solid main theme at the basis. And despite sounding somewhat in the vein of The Haunting, Basic Instinct and mysterious melodies like that, Frailty uses it sparingly but enough. It's more a hook than an actual keeper and supports the moodiness well in the film. On itself, Frailty has nothing remarkable to offer. But the constant mood and dread of Frailty is enough to keep you interested until the end. The brief hints towards Darkness Falls are noticeable ("The List", "End Titles") and the occasional atonal outbreaks are sparingly but damn effective and creepy ("Laying of Hands", "Chosen", "The Barn" and "Destiny Fulfilled").
There's a constant returning piano melody that puts the E in emotion while the strings constantly add the M to the mystery. The eerie vocals and constant mood of "A Call to Arms" unveil nothing remarkable, but their capacity to keep one enthralled is frighteningly effective. The final track even dares to raise a couple of bars with the Goldsmith like main theme. In short Frailty is a score that's damn effective and even somewhat enjoyable to listen to, but will be quickly forgotten after you finished the listen.
Track Listing
1. Main Title (3.13)
2. Peace in the Valley: Johnny Cash (2.54)
3. Frailty (1.00)
4. Brothers (1.09)
5. Fenton (0.53)
6. The List (0.51)
7. The Abduction of Edward March (0.57)
8. Laying of Hands (3.18)
9. Thurman, 1979 (1.23)
10. Chosen (2.47)
11. The Rose Garden (4.13)
12. The Barn (5.45)
13. Destiny Fulfilled (4.53)
14. A Call to Arms (6.23)
15. Ball and Chain: Dale Watson (4.09)
16. A Real Country Song: Dale Watson (3.25)
17. End Titles (4.44)
Total Length: 51.57