The Astronaut Farmer
Stuart Matthewman and Rob Mathes
" Matthewman has shown he has the chops to be working more regularly than he does now. "Written by Justin Boggan - Review of the regular release
Matthewman's score is very Thomas Newman-ish in nature, but that's not a stuck to style. The score at time is like a calm James Newton Howard with a mixture of Rachel Portman lightness. Because of the style, it's not for everybody, and you really have to be "in the mood" to want to hear it, but it's still a nice little score on it's own. As with any review I write, the star rating is based on the CD as itself and not in comparison to any other composer or score.
The score is almost completely orchestra-based, with only some light synths -- as backing -- making appearances. Strings, flute, piano, and various other common orchestra instruments make up the pallet, with touches of guitar -- like in the playful and slightly withheld "Embrace the Media" track -- wind chimes, harp, are also added for colour. Special note should be made for some very good solo trumpet playing by Maurice Murphy (who is credited on the back tray card).
Stand-out tracks include "Opening Titles" with it's Newman percussion-like backing, statements of the theme, and mellow cheerfulness; "Embrace the Media" and it's upbeat writing; "Dunkin' Donuts", which features a quasi playful western feel; the semi action piece "Wreck" which is more akin in idea to something you might hear on "Star Trek: The Next Generation"; "Sad Family" with it's slow cello, harp, and xylophone and occasional trumpet; and the finale track "Home" which builds to an appropriate level and ends with just the right orchestra lushness.
As said, it's not a score for everybody, but Matthewman has shown he has the chops to be working more regularly than he does now. And Rob Mathews additional scoring shows he does well too. Maybe a good partnership. Anyway, I would guess it's only a matter of time before Matthewman does a score that draws bigger attention from the score community.
Tracklisting
1. Opening Titles (2.08)
2. Sleepy Shepard * (1.05)
3. Bank (1.19)
4. Smoochy / Lost Ring (1.06)
5. Meeting Grandpa (1.23)
6. Nurse Goode Chases Farmer (1.22)
7. FBI Arrive (2.36)
8. Embrace the Media ** (1.39)
9. Weatherman ** (0.58)
10. Farmer and Sunshine (1.56)
11. Colonel Sees Rocket (2.06)
12. Colonel and Farmer in Trailer (3.26)
13. Farmers Speech (1.35)
14. Dunkin Donuts ** (2.01)
15. Funeral (2.35)
16. The Bullet Keeps on Traveling (1.59)
17. Wreck (1.03)
18. Pick Up Farmer (1.17)
19. Hospital (3.44)
20. Farmer Wakes (1.38)
21. Sad Family (2.31)
22. Bag of Money Preparations (4.23)
23. Leaving (2.47)
24. Pre Launch (1.02)
25. Launch (1.50)
26. In Space (2.20)
27. Lost in Space (4.52)
28. Ring (1.08)
29. Re-Entry (1.16)
30. Home (2.07)
31. I Made A Lover's Prayer: Gillian Welch (5.03)
* Orchestrated, arranged, conducted and additional music by Rob Mathes
** Written by Rob Mathes
Total Length: 66.15
The score is almost completely orchestra-based, with only some light synths -- as backing -- making appearances. Strings, flute, piano, and various other common orchestra instruments make up the pallet, with touches of guitar -- like in the playful and slightly withheld "Embrace the Media" track -- wind chimes, harp, are also added for colour. Special note should be made for some very good solo trumpet playing by Maurice Murphy (who is credited on the back tray card).
Stand-out tracks include "Opening Titles" with it's Newman percussion-like backing, statements of the theme, and mellow cheerfulness; "Embrace the Media" and it's upbeat writing; "Dunkin' Donuts", which features a quasi playful western feel; the semi action piece "Wreck" which is more akin in idea to something you might hear on "Star Trek: The Next Generation"; "Sad Family" with it's slow cello, harp, and xylophone and occasional trumpet; and the finale track "Home" which builds to an appropriate level and ends with just the right orchestra lushness.
As said, it's not a score for everybody, but Matthewman has shown he has the chops to be working more regularly than he does now. And Rob Mathews additional scoring shows he does well too. Maybe a good partnership. Anyway, I would guess it's only a matter of time before Matthewman does a score that draws bigger attention from the score community.
Tracklisting
1. Opening Titles (2.08)
2. Sleepy Shepard * (1.05)
3. Bank (1.19)
4. Smoochy / Lost Ring (1.06)
5. Meeting Grandpa (1.23)
6. Nurse Goode Chases Farmer (1.22)
7. FBI Arrive (2.36)
8. Embrace the Media ** (1.39)
9. Weatherman ** (0.58)
10. Farmer and Sunshine (1.56)
11. Colonel Sees Rocket (2.06)
12. Colonel and Farmer in Trailer (3.26)
13. Farmers Speech (1.35)
14. Dunkin Donuts ** (2.01)
15. Funeral (2.35)
16. The Bullet Keeps on Traveling (1.59)
17. Wreck (1.03)
18. Pick Up Farmer (1.17)
19. Hospital (3.44)
20. Farmer Wakes (1.38)
21. Sad Family (2.31)
22. Bag of Money Preparations (4.23)
23. Leaving (2.47)
24. Pre Launch (1.02)
25. Launch (1.50)
26. In Space (2.20)
27. Lost in Space (4.52)
28. Ring (1.08)
29. Re-Entry (1.16)
30. Home (2.07)
31. I Made A Lover's Prayer: Gillian Welch (5.03)
* Orchestrated, arranged, conducted and additional music by Rob Mathes
** Written by Rob Mathes
Total Length: 66.15