The Nightmare before Christmas
Danny Elfman
" If you haven't so, I say it's time you've begun "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
If one thing is unlimited, then it is the creativity of Tim Burton (and with that comes Danny Elfman). So please consider the stunning animated visuals and story of The Nightmare before Christmas as unlimited as possible. I was reviewing this score around the time The Corpse Bride was released (you know, using the same technique), and I was wondering if Elfman would tackle everything the way he handless it here (meaning singing, scoring, writing the lyrics). The good thing is, he handled it here with joy and above all brilliance, since this score is a pure Elfman fanatic joyous occasion.
From the first to the last second, everything breathes Elfman, and it will speak especially to the big fans of him. It starts with a wonderful pairing of themes in, "Overture", unleashing the joyous theme of one of its winning songs, namely 'What's This'. This instrumental version alongside 'Jack Lament Song' is presented in the Edward Scissorhands style. In between Patrick Stewart narrates tracks 2 and 19, and these flow wonderfully through the score without an abruption, only making "This is Halloween" even more brilliant as it is. Full of festivity (on the light comical darker side), the lyrics are fun and the theme is cool. Another winner is "Jack's Lament" (again a song sung by Elfman) and you'll hear he still got what it takes). "Doctor Finklestein / In the Forest" has Sally's theme, a dark dancing tuba for the doctor and the constant toying of Jack's theme, before the festivity really begins.
Heard magically in that track, "What's This" really comes to life in this piece, full of prancing joy and amazement, it is Elfman giving it his best. "Jack and Sally Montage" is the longest score cue, and shows wonderfully well signs of Jack and Sally's themes. The growing fanfares near the end show Elfman at his best once again.
It is not always festivity, but it all stays entertaining. "Jack's Obsession" starts on a downbeat tone but the upbeat climax promises more, and that promise is heard menacingly in "Kidnap Sandy Claws", where 3 little children sing as high as they can on a catchy tune. "Nabbed" has the Kidnap melody showing itself frequently during Elfman's score, but it's the real boogy mambo and Oingo Boingo style of "Oogie Boogie's Song" that makes the song continuation all the more fun. Piano, jazzy tones and an endless sprightly fun secure this as the most rambunctious piece of the CD.
"Christmas Eve Montage" reveals for the firs time some Elfman choir, and some louder music using Jack's theme in a more marching manner, along with the What's This tune. "To the Rescue" shows more song tunes while "Finale / Reprise" has a more happy atmosphere, the Halloween song and What's This are now sung a lot more cheerful. A score related song repertoire is held in the final tracks, showing all the tunes at work again, without the singers.
To tell you the truth, there is much to like in The Nightmare before Christmas, using a repertoire of wonderful songs in both astonishing singing as instrumental versions, tying everything together flawlessly, you'll miss even the slightest hint of its personality if you don't pay attention. So this makes sure The Nightmare before Christmas a riot on screen as on disc. It has Elfman in top form, multiple catchy themes and singers who perform dark and devious, making sure you return to Halloween Town alongside Elfman and his dancing puppeteers.
Score: ***1/2
Songs: ****
Tracklisting
1. Overture * (1.47) Excellent track
2. Opening ** (0.57)
3. This is Halloween (3.16) Excellent track
4. Jack's Lament (3.13)
5. Doctor Finklestein / In the Forest * (2.35)
6. What's This? (3.07) Excellent track
7. Town Meeting Song (2.55)
8. Jack and Sally Montage * (5.16)
9. Jack's Obsession (2.46)
10. Kidnap the Sandy Claws (3.02) Excellent track
11. Making Christmas (3.57)
12. Nabbed * (3.04)
13. Oogie Boogie's Song (3.17) Excellent track
14. Sally's Song (1.47)
15. Christmas Eve Montage (2.10)
16. Poor Jack (2.33)
17. To the Rescue * (3.38)
18. Finale / Reprise (2.44) Excellent track
19. Closing ** (1.25)
20. End Title * (1.12)
21. Bonus Theme Montage * (3.54)
* Original score by Danny Elfman
** Dialogue by Patrick Stewart
Total Length: 54.50
From the first to the last second, everything breathes Elfman, and it will speak especially to the big fans of him. It starts with a wonderful pairing of themes in, "Overture", unleashing the joyous theme of one of its winning songs, namely 'What's This'. This instrumental version alongside 'Jack Lament Song' is presented in the Edward Scissorhands style. In between Patrick Stewart narrates tracks 2 and 19, and these flow wonderfully through the score without an abruption, only making "This is Halloween" even more brilliant as it is. Full of festivity (on the light comical darker side), the lyrics are fun and the theme is cool. Another winner is "Jack's Lament" (again a song sung by Elfman) and you'll hear he still got what it takes). "Doctor Finklestein / In the Forest" has Sally's theme, a dark dancing tuba for the doctor and the constant toying of Jack's theme, before the festivity really begins.
Heard magically in that track, "What's This" really comes to life in this piece, full of prancing joy and amazement, it is Elfman giving it his best. "Jack and Sally Montage" is the longest score cue, and shows wonderfully well signs of Jack and Sally's themes. The growing fanfares near the end show Elfman at his best once again.
It is not always festivity, but it all stays entertaining. "Jack's Obsession" starts on a downbeat tone but the upbeat climax promises more, and that promise is heard menacingly in "Kidnap Sandy Claws", where 3 little children sing as high as they can on a catchy tune. "Nabbed" has the Kidnap melody showing itself frequently during Elfman's score, but it's the real boogy mambo and Oingo Boingo style of "Oogie Boogie's Song" that makes the song continuation all the more fun. Piano, jazzy tones and an endless sprightly fun secure this as the most rambunctious piece of the CD.
"Christmas Eve Montage" reveals for the firs time some Elfman choir, and some louder music using Jack's theme in a more marching manner, along with the What's This tune. "To the Rescue" shows more song tunes while "Finale / Reprise" has a more happy atmosphere, the Halloween song and What's This are now sung a lot more cheerful. A score related song repertoire is held in the final tracks, showing all the tunes at work again, without the singers.
To tell you the truth, there is much to like in The Nightmare before Christmas, using a repertoire of wonderful songs in both astonishing singing as instrumental versions, tying everything together flawlessly, you'll miss even the slightest hint of its personality if you don't pay attention. So this makes sure The Nightmare before Christmas a riot on screen as on disc. It has Elfman in top form, multiple catchy themes and singers who perform dark and devious, making sure you return to Halloween Town alongside Elfman and his dancing puppeteers.
Score: ***1/2
Songs: ****
Tracklisting
1. Overture * (1.47) Excellent track
2. Opening ** (0.57)
3. This is Halloween (3.16) Excellent track
4. Jack's Lament (3.13)
5. Doctor Finklestein / In the Forest * (2.35)
6. What's This? (3.07) Excellent track
7. Town Meeting Song (2.55)
8. Jack and Sally Montage * (5.16)
9. Jack's Obsession (2.46)
10. Kidnap the Sandy Claws (3.02) Excellent track
11. Making Christmas (3.57)
12. Nabbed * (3.04)
13. Oogie Boogie's Song (3.17) Excellent track
14. Sally's Song (1.47)
15. Christmas Eve Montage (2.10)
16. Poor Jack (2.33)
17. To the Rescue * (3.38)
18. Finale / Reprise (2.44) Excellent track
19. Closing ** (1.25)
20. End Title * (1.12)
21. Bonus Theme Montage * (3.54)
* Original score by Danny Elfman
** Dialogue by Patrick Stewart
Total Length: 54.50