Tomorrow Never Dies
David Arnold
" Bond is back, with Arnold delivering the twists in his martini's "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
With a new Bond there belongs a new Bond rhythm and sound. After Eric Serra miss hitting everything where the Bond score stood for (mainly done by John Barry), it was up to the producers to find a reliable composer. They found him in the shape of the hottest composer of that time in Hollywood, namely David Arnold. Fresh of the success of Stargate and Independence Day, it was Arnold that recaptured that Bond spirit and that flair. Even more, it was this sound that Pierce Brosnan deserved when performing a reliable Bond in Goldeneye. Still, his character got what he wanted, the heroic and well known theme for James Bond. And Tomorrow Never Dies became a perfect score and pleasant listen in the outcome.
What I found discouraging about The World is not Enough was the absence of the rich sound so accustomed to Bond scores. Here it makes all the difference. Plus the score is a lot more vibrant as well.
The score starts with the replacement song performed by Diva Sheryl Crow. I don't hate her songs (in fact I love some of them) and this one isn't bad either. But it doesn't really capture you. The actual bond song "Surrender" is so much better instead. It uses the actual music of David Arnold, and K.D. Lang's voice brings back fond memories of all the divas that brought powerful Bond songs in the past.
The score by Arnold has some outstanding action moments as well, especially during the climatic action tracks. Where The World is not Enough drowned in its constant overuse, Tomorrow Never Dies shines through its power and exciting nature. The tracks are equipped with solid action rhythms, interesting developments and a reliable usage of the Bond theme. The electronics are present but never replace the actual score. "The Sinking of the Devonshire" uses even a small choral moment, short but excellent.
"Company Car" features the powerful performance of the Bond theme and "Paris and Bond" offers a nice love theme, reminiscent of the love versions heard in Godzilla. We move up and find the short but bouncy action piece "Hamburg Break Out", here it is where TND differs from TWINE. And "Backseat Driver" is simply one excellent rocking piece, using the song's main theme as cornerstone. As said, "Surrender" belongs with all those classic songs performed for the Bond movies, all the while Moby's interpretation of the Bond theme is enjoyable as well.
It was at the time nice to discover how easily the Bond influence could be found amongst many different composers. With David Arnold we had a trusty Bond composer for another couple of years. Sadly after another 4 Bond takes, it is troublesome to discover that Tomorrow Never Dies is still his best. A nice and recommendable Bond score for all the fans out there. It has all the ingredients to make a refreshing and enjoyable martini. Shaken, not stirred!
Score: ****
Songs: ***
Tracklisting
1. Tomorrow Never Dies: Sheryl Crow (4.51)
2. White Knight (8.29) Excellent track
3. The Sinking of the Devonshire (7.06)
4. Company Car (3.07) Excellent track
5. Station Break (3.30)
6. Paris and Bond (1.55)
7. The Last Goodbye (1.33)
8. Hamburg Break In (2.52)
9. Hamburg Break Out (1.26)
10. Doctor Kaufman (2.26)
11. -3-Send (1.16)
12. Underwater Discovery (3.37)
13. Backseat Driver (4.36) Excellent track
14. Surrender: K.D. Lang (3.56) Excellent track
15. James Bond Theme: Moby (3.12)
Total Length: 54.01
What I found discouraging about The World is not Enough was the absence of the rich sound so accustomed to Bond scores. Here it makes all the difference. Plus the score is a lot more vibrant as well.
The score starts with the replacement song performed by Diva Sheryl Crow. I don't hate her songs (in fact I love some of them) and this one isn't bad either. But it doesn't really capture you. The actual bond song "Surrender" is so much better instead. It uses the actual music of David Arnold, and K.D. Lang's voice brings back fond memories of all the divas that brought powerful Bond songs in the past.
The score by Arnold has some outstanding action moments as well, especially during the climatic action tracks. Where The World is not Enough drowned in its constant overuse, Tomorrow Never Dies shines through its power and exciting nature. The tracks are equipped with solid action rhythms, interesting developments and a reliable usage of the Bond theme. The electronics are present but never replace the actual score. "The Sinking of the Devonshire" uses even a small choral moment, short but excellent.
"Company Car" features the powerful performance of the Bond theme and "Paris and Bond" offers a nice love theme, reminiscent of the love versions heard in Godzilla. We move up and find the short but bouncy action piece "Hamburg Break Out", here it is where TND differs from TWINE. And "Backseat Driver" is simply one excellent rocking piece, using the song's main theme as cornerstone. As said, "Surrender" belongs with all those classic songs performed for the Bond movies, all the while Moby's interpretation of the Bond theme is enjoyable as well.
It was at the time nice to discover how easily the Bond influence could be found amongst many different composers. With David Arnold we had a trusty Bond composer for another couple of years. Sadly after another 4 Bond takes, it is troublesome to discover that Tomorrow Never Dies is still his best. A nice and recommendable Bond score for all the fans out there. It has all the ingredients to make a refreshing and enjoyable martini. Shaken, not stirred!
Score: ****
Songs: ***
Tracklisting
1. Tomorrow Never Dies: Sheryl Crow (4.51)
2. White Knight (8.29) Excellent track
3. The Sinking of the Devonshire (7.06)
4. Company Car (3.07) Excellent track
5. Station Break (3.30)
6. Paris and Bond (1.55)
7. The Last Goodbye (1.33)
8. Hamburg Break In (2.52)
9. Hamburg Break Out (1.26)
10. Doctor Kaufman (2.26)
11. -3-Send (1.16)
12. Underwater Discovery (3.37)
13. Backseat Driver (4.36) Excellent track
14. Surrender: K.D. Lang (3.56) Excellent track
15. James Bond Theme: Moby (3.12)
Total Length: 54.01