Steamboy
Steve Jablonsky
" Media Ventures sends out his sons "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Call Media Ventures (or the newly formed Remote Control) what you will, but all those composers seem to land on their feet one way or another. It is often staggering how easily they can get their hands on big assignments, while other forgotten heroes are left wandering in the dark. Back then we had Nick Glennie-Smith, Mark Mancina, John Powell, Harry Gregson-Williams and Klaus Badelt. Now we have Steve Jablonsky, Henry Jackman and Atli Örvarsson.
Back then Steve Jablonsky was the additional composer dude, writing various additional music for movies like Antz, Chicken Run, Hannibal, Spirit and Bad Boys II. Now Steve Jablonsky transformed into the composer most will love and hate at the same time. However there always needs to be an introduction. And Steamboy was for many one of the surprises of the year.
One of the major qualities was, it didn't sound so MV like in the first place. It is more subtle than usual, dealing around the handful of themes and rhythmic suspense that dominates the album. The main theme itself is a pleasant, upbeat theme (ala The Borrowers and the daughter theme of The Rock), opening "Manchester 1866". In here a secondary theme unexpectedly becomes the more important one.
The action music itself is rhythmic, but melodic enough to enjoy it. The fanfares, drums and tiny returning action motifs fuel the tracks well to diminish them to basic uninteresting noise. "The Chase" has influences from Gregson-Williams (in his better days), as does "Ray's Dilemma" which carries The Rundown's mood and pace.
There's some softer material between the action music too. "Scarlet" is upbeat, "The Atelier of Ray" has the main theme and "Crystal Palace Waltz" waltzes around with piano and flute. But in the end it is the adventure that interests us the most. "Launch!" is a good example of pace, rhythm and growing suspense, and delivers us a rousing finish. "Fly in the Sky" is even better, presenting melodic heroic music based on the main theme.
We have emotional choir in "Two Delusions", but it is the amazing version of that unimportant secondary theme that unravels its magic during "Collapse and Rescue". This is the big track all right, building on themes and suspense, but giving us as well the theme statements to tie it emotionally together.
There's some truth in the fact that the second part of Steamboy is much more satisfying than the first part. This because the rhythm's increasing and the themes become much more explosive. And due to the fact no one exactly knew one Steve Jablonsky, it all sounds fresh and exciting. I don't know how many of you Jablonsky haters have heard Steamboy, and I don't know if this score will stop you from hating the man in question. But there's something about Steamboy that I love. And whatever it may be, it makes me glad I heard it first.
Tracklisting
1. Manchester 1866 (5.13)
2. The Chase (5.02)
3. Unexpected Meeting (2.20)
4. Scarlet (1.30)
5. Raid by the Airship (2.37)
6. London World Exposition (3.33)
7. The Atelier of Ray (1.40)
8. Crystal Palace Waltz (2.12)
9. Ray's Dilemma (5.37)
10. The Sortie of Scotland Yard (1.45)
11. Fight in the Exposition Ground (3.44)
12. Launch! (5.23) Excellent track
13. Temptation (3.48)
14. Fly in the Sky (1.07) Excellent track
15. Two Delusions (4.00)
16. Collapse and Rescue (8.24) Excellent track
17. Ray's Theme (2.53) Excellent track
Total Length: 60.59
Back then Steve Jablonsky was the additional composer dude, writing various additional music for movies like Antz, Chicken Run, Hannibal, Spirit and Bad Boys II. Now Steve Jablonsky transformed into the composer most will love and hate at the same time. However there always needs to be an introduction. And Steamboy was for many one of the surprises of the year.
One of the major qualities was, it didn't sound so MV like in the first place. It is more subtle than usual, dealing around the handful of themes and rhythmic suspense that dominates the album. The main theme itself is a pleasant, upbeat theme (ala The Borrowers and the daughter theme of The Rock), opening "Manchester 1866". In here a secondary theme unexpectedly becomes the more important one.
The action music itself is rhythmic, but melodic enough to enjoy it. The fanfares, drums and tiny returning action motifs fuel the tracks well to diminish them to basic uninteresting noise. "The Chase" has influences from Gregson-Williams (in his better days), as does "Ray's Dilemma" which carries The Rundown's mood and pace.
There's some softer material between the action music too. "Scarlet" is upbeat, "The Atelier of Ray" has the main theme and "Crystal Palace Waltz" waltzes around with piano and flute. But in the end it is the adventure that interests us the most. "Launch!" is a good example of pace, rhythm and growing suspense, and delivers us a rousing finish. "Fly in the Sky" is even better, presenting melodic heroic music based on the main theme.
We have emotional choir in "Two Delusions", but it is the amazing version of that unimportant secondary theme that unravels its magic during "Collapse and Rescue". This is the big track all right, building on themes and suspense, but giving us as well the theme statements to tie it emotionally together.
There's some truth in the fact that the second part of Steamboy is much more satisfying than the first part. This because the rhythm's increasing and the themes become much more explosive. And due to the fact no one exactly knew one Steve Jablonsky, it all sounds fresh and exciting. I don't know how many of you Jablonsky haters have heard Steamboy, and I don't know if this score will stop you from hating the man in question. But there's something about Steamboy that I love. And whatever it may be, it makes me glad I heard it first.
Tracklisting
1. Manchester 1866 (5.13)
2. The Chase (5.02)
3. Unexpected Meeting (2.20)
4. Scarlet (1.30)
5. Raid by the Airship (2.37)
6. London World Exposition (3.33)
7. The Atelier of Ray (1.40)
8. Crystal Palace Waltz (2.12)
9. Ray's Dilemma (5.37)
10. The Sortie of Scotland Yard (1.45)
11. Fight in the Exposition Ground (3.44)
12. Launch! (5.23) Excellent track
13. Temptation (3.48)
14. Fly in the Sky (1.07) Excellent track
15. Two Delusions (4.00)
16. Collapse and Rescue (8.24) Excellent track
17. Ray's Theme (2.53) Excellent track
Total Length: 60.59