The Devil's Advocate
James Newton Howard
" James Newton Howard, definitely my favorite sin "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Sometimes, surprises can be discovered in the most unlikely places. And if I want to talk about surprises in the movie year 1997, then The Devil's Advocate is surely one of the top 3. It's stylish, it's devilish, it's seductive, and it has a devil unlike no other. Director Taylor Hackford (known for an Officer and a Gentleman, Dolores Claiborne and Ray) created the perfect thriller by combining beauty with charisma, making sure we received stunning charismatic performances of Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino. Music wise James Newton Howard stepped in to make the fire sound even a little bit more hotter.
The Devil's Advocate itself contains sound effects, 2 source cues and 3 dialogue cuts, but it is the riveting demonic display of James Newton Howard that delivers us the voice of the devil. This because the dialogue is separated from the music, the two additional source cues are heard during the movie, and the score itself once more shows the pure masterful touch of Howard, combining menacing orchestral play with demonic choral might. Easily enough, it delivers us the thrill as the chill on disc.
Beginning immediately with a hypnotizing "Main Title" cue, it is not until "Lovemaking" that we receive James Newton Howard at its finest for the first time. In this particular sequence, JNH builds upon the sexual tension of the scene as the demonic trickery of the mind, making sure the LA Master Chorale can build to its ecstasy near the end. This feeling returns in "Time" and "Suicide".
And even though most of the tracks appear to be too short to warrant any development like for instance the highlight tracks of the disc, they do their job well to state at least the intentions of the composer. For instance you can taste the dark intentions of "Barzoon" in his track, or the feeling of despair in "Can't Have Children".
But some tracks dare to go further. "Geddes / Weaver" starts with a vocal and a wonderful organ to delve deep and powerfully into the true power of the devil, to decide the fate of mankind by one single finger snap. That feeling you receive as well during the utterly spine tingling scene "57th Street" when Howard tells you the confrontation will finally happen, supported by a mesmerizing solo vocal.
The score itself does dare to drag a bit during the 2nd part, and only in moments does it break the mold. In "I Rest My Case" the solo vocal is back, before all hell breaks loose in "Fire", with a choral and fanfare eruption to boot. The lovely piano work in "Ring" delivers something totally different at the end, that is until Al Pacino has the final saying in the matter.
So, for 49 minutes The Devil's Advocate brings the best of the movie on disc, making the listen on that part at least effective. It is probably a taste of knowing what you are seeing on screen that makes the score so good, because not everything sells here. So, if you want to experience the true power of Howard, Pacino and Hackford, by all means give The Devil's Advocate a spin, and become a sinner for at least one time.
Tracklisting
1. Vanity * (0.13)
2. Main Title (1.03)
3. New York (0.49)
4. Milton (0.56)
5. Rendevous: Michael Lang (3.39)
6. Lovemaking (3.31) Excellent track
7. Christabella (1.07)
8. Apartment Building (0.46)
9. Barzoon (2.37)
10. Montage (1.01)
11. Geddes / Weaver (4.04) Excellent track
12. Baby (1.55)
13. Finish The Story (2.00)
14. Time (1.57)
15. Cullen Gets Off (2.50)
16. Suicide (2.07)
17. Can't Have Children (0.56)
18. Baka (1.19)
19. 57th Street (2.02) Excellent track
20. Air On The G String: Virgil Fox (4.28)
21. Church (2.34)
22. I Rest My Case (2.20)
23. Fire (1.26)
24. Ring (0.57)
25. Surprise * (0.27)
26. Finale * (1.46)
* Dialogue from the motion picture
Total Length: 49.58
The Devil's Advocate itself contains sound effects, 2 source cues and 3 dialogue cuts, but it is the riveting demonic display of James Newton Howard that delivers us the voice of the devil. This because the dialogue is separated from the music, the two additional source cues are heard during the movie, and the score itself once more shows the pure masterful touch of Howard, combining menacing orchestral play with demonic choral might. Easily enough, it delivers us the thrill as the chill on disc.
Beginning immediately with a hypnotizing "Main Title" cue, it is not until "Lovemaking" that we receive James Newton Howard at its finest for the first time. In this particular sequence, JNH builds upon the sexual tension of the scene as the demonic trickery of the mind, making sure the LA Master Chorale can build to its ecstasy near the end. This feeling returns in "Time" and "Suicide".
And even though most of the tracks appear to be too short to warrant any development like for instance the highlight tracks of the disc, they do their job well to state at least the intentions of the composer. For instance you can taste the dark intentions of "Barzoon" in his track, or the feeling of despair in "Can't Have Children".
But some tracks dare to go further. "Geddes / Weaver" starts with a vocal and a wonderful organ to delve deep and powerfully into the true power of the devil, to decide the fate of mankind by one single finger snap. That feeling you receive as well during the utterly spine tingling scene "57th Street" when Howard tells you the confrontation will finally happen, supported by a mesmerizing solo vocal.
The score itself does dare to drag a bit during the 2nd part, and only in moments does it break the mold. In "I Rest My Case" the solo vocal is back, before all hell breaks loose in "Fire", with a choral and fanfare eruption to boot. The lovely piano work in "Ring" delivers something totally different at the end, that is until Al Pacino has the final saying in the matter.
So, for 49 minutes The Devil's Advocate brings the best of the movie on disc, making the listen on that part at least effective. It is probably a taste of knowing what you are seeing on screen that makes the score so good, because not everything sells here. So, if you want to experience the true power of Howard, Pacino and Hackford, by all means give The Devil's Advocate a spin, and become a sinner for at least one time.
Tracklisting
1. Vanity * (0.13)
2. Main Title (1.03)
3. New York (0.49)
4. Milton (0.56)
5. Rendevous: Michael Lang (3.39)
6. Lovemaking (3.31) Excellent track
7. Christabella (1.07)
8. Apartment Building (0.46)
9. Barzoon (2.37)
10. Montage (1.01)
11. Geddes / Weaver (4.04) Excellent track
12. Baby (1.55)
13. Finish The Story (2.00)
14. Time (1.57)
15. Cullen Gets Off (2.50)
16. Suicide (2.07)
17. Can't Have Children (0.56)
18. Baka (1.19)
19. 57th Street (2.02) Excellent track
20. Air On The G String: Virgil Fox (4.28)
21. Church (2.34)
22. I Rest My Case (2.20)
23. Fire (1.26)
24. Ring (0.57)
25. Surprise * (0.27)
26. Finale * (1.46)
* Dialogue from the motion picture
Total Length: 49.58