Two Weeks Notice
John Powell
" Two weeks attention for John Powell, at least "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Two Weeks Notice is one of the many romantic comedies starring Hugh Grant, while for Sandra Bullock it was a return to the genre after her amazing success on While you were Sleeping. Together they weren't that bad in Two Weeks Notice, but it wasn't like you had to pay two weeks of notice to the movie itself, because it wasn't that memorable either. It nonetheless gave John Powell another chance to continue his diverse road in a year of nothing but action, drama and adventure. And as always, he doesn't disappoint.
Two Weeks Notice is fairly simple in itself, it has two themes, a lovely tapestry of instruments and a charming flow from beginning to end. Nothing more, nothing less. Luckily some themes can make an album worth it, and Two Weeks Notice has such themes. The love theme is heard on piano in "Love Theme" and with solo guitar and additional marimbas in "Helicopter Ride", showing you just how cute the theme truly is.
The other theme is Lucy's theme and, just like her character, it grows in this album from a solo guitar performance in "Take Away", moving forward to a sneaky organ version in "Trying to Get Fired" to a feisty guitar explosion in "Protest", ultimately ending with a lovely combination of piano and guitar in "Absolutely Beautiful".
The two most lovely theme versions appear however at the end, first in "George's Speech" when we suddenly discover the love theme on guitar (heightened by strings) as George finally declares his love for Lucy, the piano counterpart stating Lucy's theme shows you her answer, leaving George sad and hurt behind. However Lucy theme's flourishes due to her most warm statement later in "Finale". The brief organ accompanies the love theme after that, showing that not one but two will be getting take away from now on.
George doesn't get a theme per se but more a distinct personal sound, namely loose, uncontrollable and charismatic. And that is discovered through the more bouncy organ sounds in "In the Limo" and through the playful escapades in "Emergency" (watch out for the wonderful playful flutes as well). The performance of Lucy's theme on piano ends the disc in "Epilogue".
Two Weeks Notice is once again a reminder that John Powell is a mastermind in all genres. No matter the cliché feel you might get from the movie, the score always sounds fresh and intriguing, especially because Powell once again delivers us various themes. Sometimes I wonder what his music would be without the themes he composes, but considering that never happens we are always left with a plethora of theme statements, embed in a charming score.
Tracklisting
1. Love Theme (1.38)
2. Divorce (1.24)
3. Take Away (2.40)
4. Trying to Get Fired (1.31)
5. Helicopter Ride (2.30)
6. In the Limo (0.51)
7. Bobcat Pretzel (3.15)
8. Protest (1.26)
9. Interviews (0.44)
10. Emergency (1.40)
11. Absolutely Beautiful (2.41)
12. Sad Bowels (2.51)
13. George's Speech (2.44)
14. Finale (3.41)
15. Epilogue (0.41)
Total Length: 30.25
Two Weeks Notice is fairly simple in itself, it has two themes, a lovely tapestry of instruments and a charming flow from beginning to end. Nothing more, nothing less. Luckily some themes can make an album worth it, and Two Weeks Notice has such themes. The love theme is heard on piano in "Love Theme" and with solo guitar and additional marimbas in "Helicopter Ride", showing you just how cute the theme truly is.
The other theme is Lucy's theme and, just like her character, it grows in this album from a solo guitar performance in "Take Away", moving forward to a sneaky organ version in "Trying to Get Fired" to a feisty guitar explosion in "Protest", ultimately ending with a lovely combination of piano and guitar in "Absolutely Beautiful".
The two most lovely theme versions appear however at the end, first in "George's Speech" when we suddenly discover the love theme on guitar (heightened by strings) as George finally declares his love for Lucy, the piano counterpart stating Lucy's theme shows you her answer, leaving George sad and hurt behind. However Lucy theme's flourishes due to her most warm statement later in "Finale". The brief organ accompanies the love theme after that, showing that not one but two will be getting take away from now on.
George doesn't get a theme per se but more a distinct personal sound, namely loose, uncontrollable and charismatic. And that is discovered through the more bouncy organ sounds in "In the Limo" and through the playful escapades in "Emergency" (watch out for the wonderful playful flutes as well). The performance of Lucy's theme on piano ends the disc in "Epilogue".
Two Weeks Notice is once again a reminder that John Powell is a mastermind in all genres. No matter the cliché feel you might get from the movie, the score always sounds fresh and intriguing, especially because Powell once again delivers us various themes. Sometimes I wonder what his music would be without the themes he composes, but considering that never happens we are always left with a plethora of theme statements, embed in a charming score.
Tracklisting
1. Love Theme (1.38)
2. Divorce (1.24)
3. Take Away (2.40)
4. Trying to Get Fired (1.31)
5. Helicopter Ride (2.30)
6. In the Limo (0.51)
7. Bobcat Pretzel (3.15)
8. Protest (1.26)
9. Interviews (0.44)
10. Emergency (1.40)
11. Absolutely Beautiful (2.41)
12. Sad Bowels (2.51)
13. George's Speech (2.44)
14. Finale (3.41)
15. Epilogue (0.41)
Total Length: 30.25