The Village
James Newton Howard
" James Newton Howard continues to prove Shyamalan's pictures need music "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Several years ago, nothing could touch M. Night Shyamalan's strength. Back then nothing but praise could be said about the work and stories of the Indian director. Sadly things aren't so bright and strong anymore, but luckily the music of James Newton Howard never failed. Not for his first, not for his latest, not for The Village (or Night / James' 4th take together). I once heard that Night always starts with the idea of having no music inside his films, or as little of it. Then James steps in and changes Night's idea. I'm sure he couldn't say anything anymore after he heard James Newton Howard's answer with The Village.
The composer himself didn't dazzle Night alone once people delved deep inside The Village's score. No ladies and gentlemen, it was already pretty clear from the beginning of the score that this one was going to be another enriching experience. Already from "Noah Visits" people were mesmerized by the performance of Hilary Hahn, the talented violinist of this score. Her exquisite talent rises again in many tracks after that. First of all not the least in "What are you Asking Me? when she breaths life into an already engrossing love theme. The main theme returns during these beloved performances.
In "The Bad Color" more moody underscore pushes its weight alongside the brief moments of violin excellence. But then weight has another meaning once we face "Those we Don't Speak Of". At first flutes and percussion rattles up the tension, all before Noah takes Ivy's hand and love and relief blossoms through the love theme's mesmerizing performance. The only fault here is that its so goddamn softly mixed that it doesn't show you the absolute stunning beauty of this particular moment, nor the effect I had when hearing it in the context of the scene, where it was played loud enough.
Of course there are plenty of moments after that which pinpoint out how truly divvying The Village is. The emotional strength that the violin brings in "I Cannot See his Color" is outstanding, "The Gravel Road" brings forward a beautiful piano and violin version of the love theme that will stop breaths all the while "The Vote" will win over a few more hearts through Hahn's mesmerizing performance.
Alongside the powerful percussion in "Those we Don't Speak Of", there's threat in "The Forbidden Line" that Ivy can't explain. Here some of Newton Howard's more effective scoring is heard, with the bells representing the forest and the flutes the birds. But it's not until "It is not Real" that the threat becomes serious. Once again does the orchestra create the danger, leaving it up to the violin to reveal us to the real truth of the village.
After The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs, it is The Village that shows us the first sings of beauty in a M. Night Shyamalan picture. Meaning James Newton Howard knew exactly how to underscore the fragile belief of the town, through a beautiful yet fragile solo violin. And it is that violin that changes everything. Not only does it enhance the experience ten fold, it also transforms the composer's own voice to something extraordinary. It literally guides you through the forest, making sure you understand why Night couldn't go around James Newton Howard anymore, once he heard what The Village was all about.
Tracklisting
1. Noah Visits (2.35)
2. What are You Asking Me? (6.01) Excellent track
3. The Bad Color (3.57)
4. Those we Don't Speak Of (3.59) Excellent track
5. Will you Help Me? (2.34)
6. I Cannot See his Color (1.31)
7. Rituals (2.01)
8. The Gravel Road (4.31) Excellent track
9. Race to Resting Rock (1.16)
10. The Forbidden Line (2.17)
11. The Vote (6.02) Excellent track
12. It is Not Real (3.36)
13. The Shed not to be Used (2.03)
Total Length: 43.21
The composer himself didn't dazzle Night alone once people delved deep inside The Village's score. No ladies and gentlemen, it was already pretty clear from the beginning of the score that this one was going to be another enriching experience. Already from "Noah Visits" people were mesmerized by the performance of Hilary Hahn, the talented violinist of this score. Her exquisite talent rises again in many tracks after that. First of all not the least in "What are you Asking Me? when she breaths life into an already engrossing love theme. The main theme returns during these beloved performances.
In "The Bad Color" more moody underscore pushes its weight alongside the brief moments of violin excellence. But then weight has another meaning once we face "Those we Don't Speak Of". At first flutes and percussion rattles up the tension, all before Noah takes Ivy's hand and love and relief blossoms through the love theme's mesmerizing performance. The only fault here is that its so goddamn softly mixed that it doesn't show you the absolute stunning beauty of this particular moment, nor the effect I had when hearing it in the context of the scene, where it was played loud enough.
Of course there are plenty of moments after that which pinpoint out how truly divvying The Village is. The emotional strength that the violin brings in "I Cannot See his Color" is outstanding, "The Gravel Road" brings forward a beautiful piano and violin version of the love theme that will stop breaths all the while "The Vote" will win over a few more hearts through Hahn's mesmerizing performance.
Alongside the powerful percussion in "Those we Don't Speak Of", there's threat in "The Forbidden Line" that Ivy can't explain. Here some of Newton Howard's more effective scoring is heard, with the bells representing the forest and the flutes the birds. But it's not until "It is not Real" that the threat becomes serious. Once again does the orchestra create the danger, leaving it up to the violin to reveal us to the real truth of the village.
After The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs, it is The Village that shows us the first sings of beauty in a M. Night Shyamalan picture. Meaning James Newton Howard knew exactly how to underscore the fragile belief of the town, through a beautiful yet fragile solo violin. And it is that violin that changes everything. Not only does it enhance the experience ten fold, it also transforms the composer's own voice to something extraordinary. It literally guides you through the forest, making sure you understand why Night couldn't go around James Newton Howard anymore, once he heard what The Village was all about.
Tracklisting
1. Noah Visits (2.35)
2. What are You Asking Me? (6.01) Excellent track
3. The Bad Color (3.57)
4. Those we Don't Speak Of (3.59) Excellent track
5. Will you Help Me? (2.34)
6. I Cannot See his Color (1.31)
7. Rituals (2.01)
8. The Gravel Road (4.31) Excellent track
9. Race to Resting Rock (1.16)
10. The Forbidden Line (2.17)
11. The Vote (6.02) Excellent track
12. It is Not Real (3.36)
13. The Shed not to be Used (2.03)
Total Length: 43.21