Independence Day
David Arnold
" Ladies and gentlemen, your ass-kicking score of the decade "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the limited release
Once in a lifetime, a composer comes up with some of the most brilliant music ever heard. And once in a lifetime, it isn't the big four that composed it (Goldsmith, Williams, Horner or Zimmer). You see, once David Arnold made an absolute impact with Stargate, nobody expected that another one was waiting around the corner. That other one turned out to be Roland Emmerich's most entertaining blockbuster to this date, Independence Day. Starring an all star cast of actors, hosting an incredibly witty humour and delivering some of the boldest science fiction confrontations between humans and aliens, ID4 became legendary for something else as well, namely its bombastic sheer thundering score of 1996.
That year, we received the score on a 50 minute release of BMG Records, not nearly enough time to hoist all that amazing music the movie was delivering us during its popcorn ride. So, Independence Day also became notorious for becoming one of the most requested scores of all time. Hell, people weren't even satisfied with the 2 CD bootleg that surfaced a while later on the market. Because even though everyone wanted to get one of these, it wasn't made public available yet. That is until La-La Land stepped in and promised us the fireworks.
First of all the most important fact, the missing highlights such as the Roswell ship, the death of the First Lady and many like it are finally made available after all this time. Yes, you'll get your highlights here to prove that BMG's release wasn't perhaps Jewish, but it wasn't perfect either.
So let us examine a bit the tracks that were missing on the original score. "Mysto Bridge / Satellite Collision / Destroyers Disengage / Russell Casse - Pilot" delivers us the dark fanfares for the ships, as the heroic fanfare for Roger, "First Sighting / AWAC Attack" contains some major kick ass fanfares that truly deliver in the film, "Marilyn Found" gives you the first sign of the lovely First Lady theme, "Area 51 / The Big Tamale / Formaldehyde Freak Show" delivers perhaps one of the most requested cues ever, namely the Roswell Ship (even though it remains to be a different version from the one used in the film), and "Slimey Wakes Up" is a five minute mood setter where some of the scary blasts of the strings (body suit popping open) even take you by surprise after all this time.
Other requested new tracks turn out to be "The Death of Marilyn / Dad's a Genius" that brings us the heartbreaking version of the First Lady's theme. Another lovely cue is "The Wedding" which re introduces us the love theme of Steven and Jasmine, as heard in "Canceled Leave" and in "Target Remains / Rescue".
So, that may be the previously unreleased cues of the first CD, we can not dismiss the effect of the already released tracks such as "The Darkest Day", the amazing build up of "Evacuation", the fire breathing thrill ride "Firestorm", the blazing powerhouse heroics of "Base Attack" or the spine tingling patriotics of "The President's Speech", which so happens to close the CD in the most fashionable stir ever.
The second CD also captures its fair share of stunning unreleased music. "Just In Case / Attacker Fires Up" has some enchanting choral work at the end while "The Launch Tunnel / Mutha Ship / Virus Uploaded" delivers eerie mothership theatrics and daredevil action musical exploits. Yet when you've reached this point, you've reached the point where some ships are going to get banged up. And that my friends packs some firepower. In "Hide! / Russell's Packin' (The Day We Fight Back)" it's all covered around the Roger fanfare, and in "Jolly Roger" you receive my most favorite music of all, namely the thrilling music for the escape of Steven and David from the mothership. This is truly some of the most breathtaking action music that covers Elvis leaving the building. O thank you very much David Arnold.
The absolute ending of course I don't have to explain to you anymore. In the unreleased "Victory" true patriotism soars from your speakers, only to be defeated by an even more heroic patriotic send off in "End Credits" (with my all time favorite choral climax). It may not be healthy for your speakers, but I sure could get used to it ;-)
With a pack of alternate cues as extra bonus material, Independence Day Complete is a score any fan must have in his collection. No matter if you believe the original soundtrack holds an already staggering impression on you, the 2 CD musical achievement of La-La Land is hitting you silly with twice the firepower. Meaning soaring and epic music with a dash of romantic flavor and dark threatening alienating chords is what ID4 is all about. To this day there are few scores that have matched the personal sheer ass kicking impression of David Arnold's most resilient score of 1996. Oh, perhaps one then, STARGATE.
!!!Now that's what I call a close encounter!!!
Tracklisting
CD 1: 65.31
1. 1969: We Came in Peace * (2.01)
2. S.E.T.I. / Radio Signal (1.53)
3. Mysto Bridge * / Satellite Collision * / Destroyers Disengage * / Russell Casse - Pilot * (2.17)
4. First Sighting * / AWAC Attack * (2.18)
5. The Darkest Day (4.14) Excellent track
6. Moving Day * / Countdown * (2.12)
7. Canceled Leave (1.46)
8. Commence Lift-off * / Parabolic Indenwhat? * (1.17)
9. Evacuation (5.48) Excellent track
10. Firestorm (1.24) Excellent track
11. Aftermath (3.36) Excellent track
12. Base Attack (3.50) Excellent track
13. Marilyn Found * (1.31)
14. Area 51 * / The Big Tamale * / Formaldehyde Freak Show * (4.12) Excellent track
15. El Toro Destroyed (1.31)
16. Slimey Wakes Up * (5.24)
17. Target Remains * / Rescue * (5.56)
18. The Death of Marilyn * / Dad's a Genius * (3.34) Excellent track
19. Alien Ship Powers Up * (1.46)
20. International Code (1.32) Excellent track
21. Wedding * (1.50)
22. The President's Speech (3.11) Excellent track
CD 2: 63.34
1. Just in Case * / Attacker Fires Up * (3.10)
2. The Launch Tunnel * / Mutha Ship * / Virus Uploaded * (8.27) Excellent track
3. Hide! * / Russell's Packin' (The Day We Fight Back) (4.44) Excellent track
4. He Did It * (1.33)
5. Jolly Roger (3.17) Excellent track
6. Victory * (3.40) Excellent track
7. End Credits (9.07) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
8. 1969: We Came In Peace (Alternate Version) * (2.11)
9. Destroyers Disengage (No Choir) * (0.34)
10. Cancelled Leave (Alternate Version) * (1.43)
11. Commence Lift-Off (Alternate Version) * (0.55)
12. Base Attack (Segment - Film Version) * (2.27)
13. Marilyn Found (No Choir) * (1.28)
14. Target Remains / Rescue (Alternate Version) * (2.40)
15. Dad's A Genius (Alternate Version) * (0.45)
16. Attacker Fires Up (Original Version - No Choir) * (2.01)
17. Virus Uploaded (Alternate Version) * (2.35)
18. The Day We Fight Back (Original Version) (5.48)
19. Jolly Roger (Alternate Version) * (3.22)
20. End Credits (Segment - No Choir) * (2.47)
* Previously unreleased track
That year, we received the score on a 50 minute release of BMG Records, not nearly enough time to hoist all that amazing music the movie was delivering us during its popcorn ride. So, Independence Day also became notorious for becoming one of the most requested scores of all time. Hell, people weren't even satisfied with the 2 CD bootleg that surfaced a while later on the market. Because even though everyone wanted to get one of these, it wasn't made public available yet. That is until La-La Land stepped in and promised us the fireworks.
First of all the most important fact, the missing highlights such as the Roswell ship, the death of the First Lady and many like it are finally made available after all this time. Yes, you'll get your highlights here to prove that BMG's release wasn't perhaps Jewish, but it wasn't perfect either.
So let us examine a bit the tracks that were missing on the original score. "Mysto Bridge / Satellite Collision / Destroyers Disengage / Russell Casse - Pilot" delivers us the dark fanfares for the ships, as the heroic fanfare for Roger, "First Sighting / AWAC Attack" contains some major kick ass fanfares that truly deliver in the film, "Marilyn Found" gives you the first sign of the lovely First Lady theme, "Area 51 / The Big Tamale / Formaldehyde Freak Show" delivers perhaps one of the most requested cues ever, namely the Roswell Ship (even though it remains to be a different version from the one used in the film), and "Slimey Wakes Up" is a five minute mood setter where some of the scary blasts of the strings (body suit popping open) even take you by surprise after all this time.
Other requested new tracks turn out to be "The Death of Marilyn / Dad's a Genius" that brings us the heartbreaking version of the First Lady's theme. Another lovely cue is "The Wedding" which re introduces us the love theme of Steven and Jasmine, as heard in "Canceled Leave" and in "Target Remains / Rescue".
So, that may be the previously unreleased cues of the first CD, we can not dismiss the effect of the already released tracks such as "The Darkest Day", the amazing build up of "Evacuation", the fire breathing thrill ride "Firestorm", the blazing powerhouse heroics of "Base Attack" or the spine tingling patriotics of "The President's Speech", which so happens to close the CD in the most fashionable stir ever.
The second CD also captures its fair share of stunning unreleased music. "Just In Case / Attacker Fires Up" has some enchanting choral work at the end while "The Launch Tunnel / Mutha Ship / Virus Uploaded" delivers eerie mothership theatrics and daredevil action musical exploits. Yet when you've reached this point, you've reached the point where some ships are going to get banged up. And that my friends packs some firepower. In "Hide! / Russell's Packin' (The Day We Fight Back)" it's all covered around the Roger fanfare, and in "Jolly Roger" you receive my most favorite music of all, namely the thrilling music for the escape of Steven and David from the mothership. This is truly some of the most breathtaking action music that covers Elvis leaving the building. O thank you very much David Arnold.
The absolute ending of course I don't have to explain to you anymore. In the unreleased "Victory" true patriotism soars from your speakers, only to be defeated by an even more heroic patriotic send off in "End Credits" (with my all time favorite choral climax). It may not be healthy for your speakers, but I sure could get used to it ;-)
With a pack of alternate cues as extra bonus material, Independence Day Complete is a score any fan must have in his collection. No matter if you believe the original soundtrack holds an already staggering impression on you, the 2 CD musical achievement of La-La Land is hitting you silly with twice the firepower. Meaning soaring and epic music with a dash of romantic flavor and dark threatening alienating chords is what ID4 is all about. To this day there are few scores that have matched the personal sheer ass kicking impression of David Arnold's most resilient score of 1996. Oh, perhaps one then, STARGATE.
!!!Now that's what I call a close encounter!!!
Tracklisting
CD 1: 65.31
1. 1969: We Came in Peace * (2.01)
2. S.E.T.I. / Radio Signal (1.53)
3. Mysto Bridge * / Satellite Collision * / Destroyers Disengage * / Russell Casse - Pilot * (2.17)
4. First Sighting * / AWAC Attack * (2.18)
5. The Darkest Day (4.14) Excellent track
6. Moving Day * / Countdown * (2.12)
7. Canceled Leave (1.46)
8. Commence Lift-off * / Parabolic Indenwhat? * (1.17)
9. Evacuation (5.48) Excellent track
10. Firestorm (1.24) Excellent track
11. Aftermath (3.36) Excellent track
12. Base Attack (3.50) Excellent track
13. Marilyn Found * (1.31)
14. Area 51 * / The Big Tamale * / Formaldehyde Freak Show * (4.12) Excellent track
15. El Toro Destroyed (1.31)
16. Slimey Wakes Up * (5.24)
17. Target Remains * / Rescue * (5.56)
18. The Death of Marilyn * / Dad's a Genius * (3.34) Excellent track
19. Alien Ship Powers Up * (1.46)
20. International Code (1.32) Excellent track
21. Wedding * (1.50)
22. The President's Speech (3.11) Excellent track
CD 2: 63.34
1. Just in Case * / Attacker Fires Up * (3.10)
2. The Launch Tunnel * / Mutha Ship * / Virus Uploaded * (8.27) Excellent track
3. Hide! * / Russell's Packin' (The Day We Fight Back) (4.44) Excellent track
4. He Did It * (1.33)
5. Jolly Roger (3.17) Excellent track
6. Victory * (3.40) Excellent track
7. End Credits (9.07) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
8. 1969: We Came In Peace (Alternate Version) * (2.11)
9. Destroyers Disengage (No Choir) * (0.34)
10. Cancelled Leave (Alternate Version) * (1.43)
11. Commence Lift-Off (Alternate Version) * (0.55)
12. Base Attack (Segment - Film Version) * (2.27)
13. Marilyn Found (No Choir) * (1.28)
14. Target Remains / Rescue (Alternate Version) * (2.40)
15. Dad's A Genius (Alternate Version) * (0.45)
16. Attacker Fires Up (Original Version - No Choir) * (2.01)
17. Virus Uploaded (Alternate Version) * (2.35)
18. The Day We Fight Back (Original Version) (5.48)
19. Jolly Roger (Alternate Version) * (3.22)
20. End Credits (Segment - No Choir) * (2.47)
* Previously unreleased track