Younger & Younger
Hans Zimmer
" Not one of Hans' most memorable "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
There are still scores that remain obscure in Hans Zimmer's large list of assingments. Yes quite a shock for me too. But Younger & Younger is one of them. This 1993 movie (nonetheless starring big names as Donald Sutherland, Lolita Davidovich and Brendan Fraser) did barely get some attention, and is until this day one of those scores the fans simply don't talk about. But perhaps there is a reason for that too! First of all, this is not an action score. Zimmer was back then considered the go to composer for action, but not for drama, comedy or romance. Secondly that kind of music doesn't gel well with Zimmer fans. And third, perhaps this soundtrack doesn't fulfill the expectations if you see it presentation wise.
We open nonetheless with the 8 minute "Vorspiel", and though it's a playful cue all on itself, there's something about the use of instruments that doesn't mesh well. It's got the playful nature of Radio Flyer (but without the explosions), and enough varying melodies. But something doesn't linger. What does linger but for the wrong reason is "My Organ", delivering carnival esque organ music that somehow ridicules the experience on disc (I'm sure it has a function inside the film). "Roses" delivers romantic music that fails because of the cheap sound of the synthesizers (which is weird coming from the synthesizer master) and perhaps the most laughable cue is the 8 minute organ dominated song, delivered by Donald Sutherland who appears to be talking in his sleep. It's quite surreal and that organ just ridicules it completely.
Perhaps the best moment comes during "Ghosts in Love" when a lovelier saxophone romanticizes the experience better. But that's so abruptly put to a halt that it feels unnatural. Again, somewhat odd for a Hans Zimmer soundtrack.
All in all, Younger & Younger is the odd duck in the Zimmer pond. In a way it's perfectly love-able, and yet at the other end this has been done before and so much better. The cheap sound of this romantic / dramatic tale somehow diminishes the effect it's trying to create. The score doesn't have a theme that lingers on after you've done playing it, and the entire soundtrack is full of these tiny little complaints that make one big one that you just can't ignore. Again, in one way it's perfectly love-able, but it lacks the refinement that you've come to expect from Hans. Making me wonder if the approach of the music was the right way to go. For Zimmer non action die hards I guess, who find whatever he delivers perfect no matter what. But that it's for a specific audience is definitely an understatement.
Favorite Moment
Not one I can think off
Track Listing
1. Vorspiel (8.30)
2. My Organ * (1.47)
3. Roses (1.41)
4. Lazy Afternoon (3.42)
5. The Morning After * (1.41)
6. Ghosts in Love (1.15)
7. Penny From Heaven (2.07)
8. Show me Your Face *** (8.06)
9. Rabbits * (2.15)
10. Disco! ** (3.46)
11. Show me Your Face (Reprise) ** (4.01)
* Performed by Don Jon Vaughn
** Written by Alex Wurman
*** Written by Bob Telson and featuring vocals by Donald Sutherland & Lisa Angel
Total Length: 38.59
We open nonetheless with the 8 minute "Vorspiel", and though it's a playful cue all on itself, there's something about the use of instruments that doesn't mesh well. It's got the playful nature of Radio Flyer (but without the explosions), and enough varying melodies. But something doesn't linger. What does linger but for the wrong reason is "My Organ", delivering carnival esque organ music that somehow ridicules the experience on disc (I'm sure it has a function inside the film). "Roses" delivers romantic music that fails because of the cheap sound of the synthesizers (which is weird coming from the synthesizer master) and perhaps the most laughable cue is the 8 minute organ dominated song, delivered by Donald Sutherland who appears to be talking in his sleep. It's quite surreal and that organ just ridicules it completely.
Perhaps the best moment comes during "Ghosts in Love" when a lovelier saxophone romanticizes the experience better. But that's so abruptly put to a halt that it feels unnatural. Again, somewhat odd for a Hans Zimmer soundtrack.
All in all, Younger & Younger is the odd duck in the Zimmer pond. In a way it's perfectly love-able, and yet at the other end this has been done before and so much better. The cheap sound of this romantic / dramatic tale somehow diminishes the effect it's trying to create. The score doesn't have a theme that lingers on after you've done playing it, and the entire soundtrack is full of these tiny little complaints that make one big one that you just can't ignore. Again, in one way it's perfectly love-able, but it lacks the refinement that you've come to expect from Hans. Making me wonder if the approach of the music was the right way to go. For Zimmer non action die hards I guess, who find whatever he delivers perfect no matter what. But that it's for a specific audience is definitely an understatement.
Favorite Moment
Not one I can think off
Track Listing
1. Vorspiel (8.30)
2. My Organ * (1.47)
3. Roses (1.41)
4. Lazy Afternoon (3.42)
5. The Morning After * (1.41)
6. Ghosts in Love (1.15)
7. Penny From Heaven (2.07)
8. Show me Your Face *** (8.06)
9. Rabbits * (2.15)
10. Disco! ** (3.46)
11. Show me Your Face (Reprise) ** (4.01)
* Performed by Don Jon Vaughn
** Written by Alex Wurman
*** Written by Bob Telson and featuring vocals by Donald Sutherland & Lisa Angel
Total Length: 38.59